A thai person told me you get a much better deal on produce at the fresh markets. Does anyone agree? Which ones do you go to (and where and what times)?

I hate fresh markets and I hate Big C, but if I was forced to make a choice I would choose Big C, where prices are displayed and you can pick up and inspect everything. Buying power probably offers better deals at Big C too and the selection is far greater. It's also probably fresher at Big C than the "fresh markets" as it is air conditioned.

You never see rats running around at big c.

Big C is not great, Tesco or Makro is far better, the fresh markets tend to be a bunch of chancers!

Yes, they can be much cheaper for some things, and fresher, especially the wholesale ones (Naklua and Tepprasit).

However, Makro can rival them, beating them on some items.

Buy from the farmers selling direct from their trucks at the side of the road.

Always cheaper and fresher.

I also prefer Makro for fresh fruit and veg. Most such things in BigC are way overpriced, though sometimes there is value to be had there. Tesco is usually between the two.

I dont use markets or shops that dont have fixed written prices. Mobile trucks are OK but of course they tend to only sell one thing, so it's pot luck if you actually want that item.

Yes, they can be much cheaper for some things, and fresher, especially the wholesale ones (Naklua and Tepprasit).

However, Makro can rival them, beating them on some items.

Refuse to be bothered with MaKro any more

when it comes to Fresh Veg and Meat.

Laid out very badly, totally chaotic, Full up with Fools who don't know what they want !!!!!!!!, Staffed very badly.

Happy to pay a bit more elsewhere

Yes, they can be much cheaper for some things, and fresher, especially the wholesale ones (Naklua and Tepprasit).

However, Makro can rival them, beating them on some items.

Refuse to be bothered with MaKro any more

when it comes to Fresh Veg and Meat.

Laid out very badly, totally chaotic, Full up with Fools who don't know what they want !!!!!!!!, Staffed very badly.

Happy to pay a bit more elsewhere

Up to you. I've paid 59 baht a kilo for lettuce in Makro when I saw the same stuff in Foodland for 129 baht, as an example. Pretty substantial savings. Big C Extra hides the cost by selling by the bag rather than the kilo, but if you do the math, you're paying a lot more in most cases.

Rattanakorn market on Thepprasit is very cheap for many things, but it caters mainly to the Thai people and what they want, so don't expect to find things specially for farang tastes there.

Rattanakorn market on Thepprasit is very cheap for many things, but it caters mainly to the Thai people and what they want, so don't expect to find things specially for farang tastes there.

That.s where i get me Veg nowadays. as i like Thai food more over Farang food

its good for me, i do buy Chicken or pork there as well , if its to be used that day.

Also don't be to Fooled by Makro, BigC and Lotus can be the same price for many things.

Makro specialize in getting you to buy more than you need.

Up to me , Yes it is

Rattanakorn market on Thepprasit is very cheap for many things, but it caters mainly to the Thai people and what they want, so don't expect to find things specially for farang tastes there.

That.s where i get me Veg nowadays. as i like Thai food more over Farang food

its good for me, i do buy Chicken or pork there as well , if its to be used that day.

Also don't be to Fooled by Makro, BigC and Lotus can be the same price for many things.

Makro specialize in getting you to buy more than you need.

Up to me , Yes it is

Makro doesn't specialize in getting you to buy more than you need, they cater to a business clientele rather than individuals, so it's up to them.

Rattanakorn market on Thepprasit is very cheap for many things, but it caters mainly to the Thai people and what they want, so don't expect to find things specially for farang tastes there.

That.s where i get me Veg nowadays. as i like Thai food more over Farang food

its good for me, i do buy Chicken or pork there as well , if its to be used that day.

Also don't be to Fooled by Makro, BigC and Lotus can be the same price for many things.

Makro specialize in getting you to buy more than you need.

Up to me , Yes it is

Makro doesn't specialize in getting you to buy more than you need, they cater to a business clientele rather than individuals, so it's up to them.

Yes what's known as a cash and carry in the UK,used by publicans,hoteliers,restaurateurs and small businesses alike.

Naklua market is very good , everything is priced , but just ask if it isnt , no one ever seems to ask more from me than they do from Thai people , despite what the whingers on here tell you .

There are actually two Naklua markets. The seafood market is open all day pretty much, but the fresh market which is a few hundred meters inland is open in the middle of the night when restaurants and wholesalers pick up their stuff. It starts winding up about 8 am or so. Great prices there and quite a scene. Well worth a visit.

Location on Google Maps

What you see is the entrance to the parking lot. You can't really see the market from the streetview. The lot is empty as it's not the morning clearly, but it is very busy early. Walking distance from baht bus if you want to visit.

From Above Three Roofs Together

Rattanakorn market on Thepprasit is very cheap for many things, but it caters mainly to the Thai people and what they want, so don't expect to find things specially for farang tastes there.

That.s where i get me Veg nowadays. as i like Thai food more over Farang food

its good for me, i do buy Chicken or pork there as well , if its to be used that day.

Also don't be to Fooled by Makro, BigC and Lotus can be the same price for many things.

Makro specialize in getting you to buy more than you need.

Up to me , Yes it is

Makro doesn't specialize in getting you to buy more than you need, they cater to a business clientele rather than individuals, so it's up to them.

Yes your right, never would have known that.

Thank god i have enough money not have to run a businesses in Thailand for my retirement fund, i like to enjoy life.

Makro is still not cheap for everything , don't be fooled

Up to me where i shop.

I find the quality of produce to be better at the local market (Amphur Chok Chai, Korat) than in Tesco or Big C.

Up to you, shop where you want.

I find the quality of produce to be better at the local market (Amphur Chok Chai, Korat) than in Tesco or Big C.

Up to you, shop where you want.

Agree.

Carrots are tasteless some times from BigC or Lotus. Market much better.

Also quality of Potatoes are better at market, don't know why that is ,

think most come form Japan, i think ? anyone know ?

Also quality of Potatoes are better at market, don't know why that is ,

think most come form Japan, i think ? anyone know ?

China, as far as I know.

Be very careful buying meats/veggies from the markets as quite a few vendors spray the produce with preservatives, it used to be formalin but as that was easily identified by the Thai health inspectors they use even more dodgy stuff now.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706792-thai-health-ministry-warns-of-increasing-use-of-formalin-by-vendors-at-fresh-markets/

Be very careful buying meats/veggies from the markets as quite a few vendors spray the produce with preservatives, it used to be formalin but as that was easily identified by the Thai health inspectors they use even more dodgy stuff now.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706792-thai-health-ministry-warns-of-increasing-use-of-formalin-by-vendors-at-fresh-markets/

Yes can Happen

Also quality of Potatoes are better at market, don't know why that is ,

think most come form Japan, i think ? anyone know ?

China, as far as I know.

Thanks.

Don't know where i got Japan from !!!!

My girlfriend and I use both, I eat a fresh fruit dis each day ( 4 different fruits) and a tossed / mixed said each night. To get all the ingredients we need to accomplish this we have found that you need to be aware of the prices and shop around, and typically The fresh food market on Tuesday and Fridays On Soil Buakhao near Pattaya Tai, will provide us the majority of this but not all the remainder we get at Friend ship market for two reasons, !st. The Fresh market does not always have everything we want and secondly there are a few items which are cheaper at Friendship then the fresh market..

WE do go to Big C from time to time but i have never purchased a fruit or vegetables there with the exception of a special offer on large purple grapes, they are pricy on all things. In fact since Big C took over Carefour I purchase very little there, to m,any places are cheaper for exactly the same thing.

You never see rats running around at big c.

I go to the fresh market twice week and never have seen a rat and never will to m,any people to scare them off........

one additional comment, I did learn recently from a friend who has worked there that the majority of fresh fruits and vegetables come from Thailand that are sold in Big C.

Buy from the farmers selling direct from their trucks at the side of the road.

Always cheaper and fresher.

AYOR

I hate fresh markets and I hate Big C, but if I was forced to make a choice I would choose Big C, where prices are displayed and you can pick up and inspect everything. Buying power probably offers better deals at Big C too and the selection is far greater. It's also probably fresher at Big C than the "fresh markets" as it is air conditioned.

Big C fresh, really, omgggg... As for touching produce at fresh markets i do, my wife does and so do all the people i see at them.... As for pricing, they always have prices marked.. Open market i do find cheaper too

Buy from the farmers selling direct from their trucks at the side of the road.

Always cheaper and fresher.

AYOR

Gay slang? ......... surely not!

Buy from the farmers selling direct from their trucks at the side of the road.

Always cheaper and fresher.

AYOR

Gay slang? ......... surely not!

Wow

Had to go look that up.

Maybe his cruising the Jomtien strip tonight.

It ok, nothing to be ashamed of, you can tell us all

You never see rats running around at big c.

Only two legged ones.