Thailand is a country with boundless natural resources—some of them being the abundance of fresh foods and delicious cuisine.  The coming together of these two elements can best be found in Thailand’s open air markets, some of the largest in the world.  In Bangkok, Phuket and Samut Songkhram, the open air markets stretch for blocks and blocks, allowing visitors to buy produce, crafts and other wares, sample homemade cuisine, and soak in local flavors.

            Open markets are ubiquitous throughout Thailand and sell a staggering number of goods, from small Buddha statues to fresh fruits and vegetables to Thai dining staples.  Haggling is a part of shopping at open markets or other small shops, but it is not taken too seriously.  A smile or a joke can get you far in getting a small discount—and any attempt at Thai will always be appreciated. Fake goods, ranging from designer handbags to copied CDs and DVDs, run rampant in the markets. The authorities have held numerous crack downs on illegal copies, but they keep returning to stalls throughout the country.

            At many markets, the acronym OTOP will be highlighted at certain stalls. OTOP stands for One Tambon One Product, a Thai government sponsored program that tries to encourage small, local industry in districts around the country.  The government provides packaging, distribution and marketing assistance for this type of small business.  Typically crafts, clothing, wines and dried fruits, OTOP products are reasonable and are a way of supporting local Thai business.

            Bangkok, the country’s capitol, houses one of the largest open air markets in the world, the Chatuchak market.  The market is only open on Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 7 am-- visitors should get to the market no later than 9am, as much of the best produce will be gone not long after. The market houses between 9,000 and 15,000 stalls (no one knows the actual number) and can attract a jam-packed 300,000 people every weekend.

           With that number one can tell the market is extremely crowded; large groups are recommeneded not to travel together because they are likely to lose members. Chatuchak market is full of antiques, clothing, jewelry and housewares, along with a long list of many other things. Some stalls will not negotiate or haggle, but some will-- hagglers should start at a 50% cut of the price originally offered.

            In the beachside town of Phuket, open markets are often found in the form of beachside stalls.  Mall items, fake designer goods and copies of media are common. These beachside shops are for tourists, so the prices are much higher than in other places—opening prices may be up to four times what vendors are willing to accept.  An OTOP market is held in Patong, near Phuket, but most of the merchandise is fake OTOP.

            70 kilmomters southwest of Bangkok is the province of Samut Songkhran, which houses a unique open market.  This market has quick-footed vendors that sell produce and other goods, but pull their goods aside for the train as it passes eight times a day.  The train doesn’t stop for stalls in its path, so visitors and vendors must be cautious not to get caught in the train’s path.

          Open markets are a must-see anywhere in Thailand--and may be one of the best ways to get a crash course on Thailand's cuisine, produce and surprising (and surprisingly cheap!) treasures.

Resources and further reading:

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/the-railway-track-market-of-mae-klong/14139

http://phuketportal.com/phuket-videos/phuket-thailand-open-market/

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/ChatuchakMarketBangkok.shtml

http://www.knowphuket.com/shopping.htm