The Chatuchak outdoor market in Bangkok is one of the world's biggest and busiest ... but you couldn't tell on Sunday.<br/> All but a few hundred of the 5,000 or so stalls look like this... padlocked and closed for business.<br/> 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.<br/> The market's deputy director says he has little choice but to shut it down completely.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CHATUCHAK MARKET, TINNAKORN RUJINARONG SAYING,<br/> "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."<br/> With tourism, farming and industrial sectors suffering the greatest loss, the economic impact of the flooding is still being determined.<br/> Waters have already wiped out a quarter of the main rice crops in the world's biggest rice exporter, putting pressure on global prices.<br/> More than 500 people have died since the floods began in July.<br/> Julie Noce, Reuters
