There’s nothing like it in the West. It’s an incredible, massive maze of vendors; filled with tens of thousands of people every weekend, the scent of spicy Thai food wafting through the humid, tropical air, and the constant chatter of deals being made. If there’s something you want to buy, you can find it at Chatuchak. There is everything you can imagine on offer, some things you never imagined, and a few things you probably shouldn’t imagine.

Open only on the weekends, getting there is relatively easy from anywhere in Bangkok. Every taxi driver in town knows Chatuchak, and there are also plenty of buses. If you are near a skytrain station, that’s a great way to get there quickly and in comfort. But at the end of the day, the competition for a taxi back to your hotel is fierce. Thousands of people are leaving at once, all lined up at the street, and the drivers tend to be selective at that time and may charge you more than the usual fare.

There are three reasons to go to Chatuchak…

The Shopping

Shopping there is of course, like no place else. All of the thousands of vendors are small-time shops, and you can find the best souvenirs there, excellent bargains on clothing, including silk; beautiful handicrafts, exquisite benjarong china, and jewelry at remarkably low prices. Freshwater pearls are always a bargain there, and you can have a strand of pearls made to order while you wait. And if your shopping enthusiasm results in more stuff than you can possibly fit in your suitcase—a common scenario—there are shipping companies right there who will ship it all back home for you.

The Food

When you go, plan to spend the entire day. Naturally, you’ll get hungry, and there are plenty of food stalls and small restaurants catering to every taste, with an abundance of Thai and Chinese food available. When your feet ache and you can’t go another step, you can stop and relax at one of the many cafes for a gafe yen (iced coffee), chah yen (iced Thai tea) or a nice cold beer. Never had iced coffee before? It’s the perfect refreshing beverage in this hot climate.

The Experience

But besides the incredible shopping and great food, the overall experience is one of the more memorable ones you’ll have on your trip to Bangkok. It’s incredibly crowded, you will probably get lost two or three times, and you will see street performers, itinerant musicians, and other assorted characters that will turn your head. You’ll see Thais alongside people from every country in the world, all with the single-minded goal of finding the perfect souvenir, the best bargain, or the perfect pair of shoes. If you can find it anywhere, you’ll find it here.

There are pickpockets there, so keep your wallet or purse close to you. Haggling with the vendors is common, so don’t be afraid to ask for a better price. When you get back home, your neighborhood shopping mall will never seem the same to you.