My friends often mock me for being overweight. That is, I am the girl you see scrambling at an airport check-in counter trying to redistribute the goods she has bought so that her suitcase's load doesn't tip the airline scales. I've even brought home a Bohemian crystal chandelier from Prague - hand carried, of course. When it comes to shopping during my travels, I tend to gravitate toward the local markets to get a microcosm of my destination as well as the best deals.

Bangkok has long been a favorite destination for market finds, and I usually start with the weekend market known as Jatujak. I've been going there for more than a decade and can always find something that I need, want or covet.

For novices, Jatujak is a huge, sprawling, hot and vibrant mass of anything and everything that can be sold. Situated at the northern end of the city and a short walk from Mo Chit BTS (Skytrain) station, it is near a pretty green park with bikes to rent and a children's museum.

But shopping is the reason why Thais and locals descend upon Jatujak every Saturday and Sunday to browse the thousands of stalls. Prepare yourself by going in the morning - some stands open by the crack of dawn and your energy level for navigating the tight corridors between vendors may be sapped as the heat of the day wears you down.