City, town, or village, one of the first things I do when I arrive is find out the location of the fresh markets. Most places will have one in the morning and evening. These can be held at the same site or different parts of the town. Typically, morning markets open at before daybreak and fizzle out about 10 a.m. Evening markets kick off about 4 p.m. and often trade until late at night but in smaller towns and villages they wind down after dark.

Wholesale markets such as Talad Pak Klong in Bangkok are open 24 hours a day. Some, like a small Laotian market in a rural village have little to offer but are still fertile ground for the photographer.

In Phnom Penh there are many sprawling markets to explore. Colourful, chaotic and not for the squeamish, they are the heart of the city. In Khmer, the word for market is phsar.

If you are in Phnom Penh check out the old market, Phsar Chas, which is open throughout the day and in the evening, and Phsar Kandal which is great in the morning. Head over Monivong Bridge and you’ll discover the wonderful Phsar Chhbar Ampoeu.