4 Best Places to Shop in Dusit and Northern Bangkok, Bangkok

You can buy just about anything at the city's largest market (and purportedly the largest open-air market in the world), including silk and cotton textiles in a mutmee (tie-dyed before weaving) design that would sell for five times the price in the United States. All sections of the market are open on Saturdays and Sundays, while the plant nursery is also open Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's best to come in the morning before the place gets too crowded and hot. An afternoon at JJ, as it is known by locals ("ch" is pronounced "jha" in Thai, so phonetically Chatuchak is Jatujak), is not for the faint of heart: up to 200,000 people visit each day, and there are more than 15,000 vendors. Keep your bearings by remembering that the outer ring has mainly new clothing and shoes, with some plants, garden supplies, and home decor. The next ring is primarily used (and some new) clothing and shoes plus accessories like jewelry, belts, and bags. Farther in are pottery, antiques, furniture, dried goods, and live animals. Be prepared with bottles of water, comfortable shoes, and make sure to print out a copy of the map of the market from the website. Strategically placed food vendors mean you don't have to stop shopping to grab a bite.

If you want the convenience of duty-free shopping, try King Power. You choose and pay for the items at the shop or online, then pick them up at Suvarnabhumi Airport when you depart Thailand (or simply take them with you). The most convenient location is King Power Rangnam on Soi Rangnam near the Victory Monument. You need your passport and an airline ticket, and you need to make your purchase at least 8 hours before leaving the country. The airport branch is open 24 hours.

One of the oldest fresh markets in the city, Ratchawat Market has sections selling fresh meats and seafood that operate only until around 11 am, while sections with prepared foods, fruits, and traditional Thai sweets continue throughout the day, more or less from 8 am to 5 pm. Out on Nakhon Chaisi Road, the stretch between Siyan Market and Ratchawa Market, less than a mile east, is lined on both sides with small food shops serving curries, noodles, roast duck, and more, with several eateries renowned for kuaytiaw neua (rice noodles in a rich beef broth with chunks of stewed beef and beef meatballs).

If you’re serious about tracking down quality Bangkok street food, you should visit both Ratchawat Market and this market less than a mile away on the same road. The setup is much the same here, with fresh meat and fish from early to late morning, and vendors selling fresh fruit, prepared dishes, and traditional Thai sweets all day long. There is a small group of lunch vendors in the center of Siyan Market serving curries and stir-fries, though the street stalls tend to have better offerings.