The Chatuchak outdoor market in Bangkok is one of the world's biggest and busiest ... but you couldn't tell on Sunday.
All but a few hundred of the 5,000 or so stalls look like this... padlocked and closed for business.
Flood waters have crept right up to the edge of the market's entrance, prompting most shop-owners to pack up and head for higher ground.
The market's deputy director says he has little choice but to shut it down completely.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CHATUCHAK MARKET, TINNAKORN RUJINARONG SAYING,
"I know that this place is the face of Thailand and a famous tourists shopping place. But with the situation in Bangkok being flooded -- travel and transport are difficult. No one will be able to come around to buy or sell. So, doesn't make sense to keep the market open."
With tourism, farming and industrial sectors suffering the greatest loss, the economic impact of the flooding is still being determined.
Waters have already wiped out a quarter of the main rice crops in the world's biggest rice exporter, putting pressure on global prices.
More than 500 people have died since the floods began in July.
Julie Noce, Reuters
