Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

This is a bustling market, not a tourist attraction. Here, clothing is sold in bundles: men's, women's, and children's wear, everyday basics, and seasonal trends—all at prices geared toward resale. Traders from all over Thailand arrive, load up their goods, and drive off again. Anyone expecting a chic shopping mall with air conditioning and a food court will be disappointed within ten minutes.

Come for the prices and the huge selection. The stalls are crammed together in a large covered complex on Krung Kasem Road, and the aisles quickly become narrow and crowded. It's possible to buy just one shirt instead of twenty, but many vendors would prefer not to. So don't expect much patience if you're browsing slowly during peak season. Wear comfortable shoes that you can stand in for two hours.

Arrive early. The doors open at 4 a.m., and the real buzz is in the early morning hours when the wholesalers are at work. Things quiet down in the afternoon, as evidenced by the already empty shelves.