I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating again: Don’t buy anything elsewhere in Bangkok until you’ve visited the Weekend Market. Not that I always follow my own advice, but every time I haven’t I’ve then found whatever I already bought cheaper at the market.

Stalls are around 10 feet square and packed in upon each other. You may not have the time or energy to do the whole market, but even doing but a single building will result in your seeing a vast array of goods.

For a quick trip, skip the clothing aisles. There’s lots of stalls offering clothes throughout the market in other buildings and you really don’t need to see 50 stalls offering used jeans. Your best bet is to pick an aisle leading across the breadth of the market rather than through a building. This route will take you past a sampling of everything and you’ll appreciate the little bit of breeze and fresh air when you reach the open air section in the middle. Then, loop around the perimeter to get back to where you started. And next time, schedule your trip so you can spend the day at the market and do it right!

What I haven’t said before is this: Skip the wats, slumming on Kho San Road, or the go go bars in Patpong and Nana Plaza (O.K., maybe not the go-go bars). If you have only one chance to check out the wonders of Bangkok, go to the Weekend Market . . . anything you can experience other places in Bangkok, you can experience here . . . and more.

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