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Thailand Shopping
What to Buy
Thai silks, cottons, nielloware, silverware, bronzeware, pottery
and celaclon, pewterware, precious stones and finished jewellery,
and a dazzling range of folk handicrafts make memorable gifts
and souvenirs; international standard readymade sports and
leisurewear is inexpensive; and quality tailors and dressmakers
offer reliable 24-hour services in Bangkok and major tourism
destinations.
Where to Shop
Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to
pursue their search for bargains, most of them located within
walking distance of major hotels.
One such area, for example, is along Sillom and
Suriwongse Roads in the vicinity of the Dusit Thani, Montien,
and Tawana Hotels. This includes Robinson's Department Store,
Central Department Store, the Charn Issara Shopping Centre,
dozens of silk shops, antique and decorative reproduction shops,
boutiques of ready-to-wear women's clothes, men's tailors and
shops selling leatherwear and other goods.
From the Rajprasong intersection, near the Mericlien President
Hotel, it is but a short walk to the Amarin Plaza Shopping
Centre and Central Department Store in one direction, to
Rajaclamri Arcade and Narayanaphand Store in another which is in
opposite to World Trade Center, and to the Peninsula Arcade and
Galleries Lafayette in a third.
Shoppers should not overlook Bangkok's many department stores,
which offer locallymade goods and feature alluring sales.
Air-conditioned shopping centers outside areas previously
mentioned include the Oriental Plaza, in an atmospheric old
building that has been remodelled; the River City Shopping
Complex, adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, where two
floors are devoted to shops selling antiques and decorative
items-, Siam Centre, near the Siam Intercontinental Hotel, which
contains numerous fashionable boutiques-, and Mah Boon Krong, a
teeming emporium that contains hundreds of shops as well as the
Tokyu Department Store and that is a particular favourite with
younger Thais.
As comfortable as these centres are, any serious shopper will
also want to explore some of the city's markets for their
colorful atmosphere and generally lower prices. Pratunarn, near
the Indra Hotel, specializes in ready-towear clothing of all
kinds. In the older section of town, at the corner of Pahurat
and Chakraphet, is the Pahurat Cloth Market, where locals
go for textile bargains, while Sampheng Lane and Yaowarat,
both in Chinatown, have countless shops selling gold,
jewellery, cooking utensils, and other items.
The biggest market of all, and the most fascinating, is the
Chatuchak Weekend Market, held on Saturday and Sunday at
Chatuchak Park, not far from the Central Plaza Hotel. Here just
about everything Thailand makes or grows is on sale, from
blue-and-white porcelain to hybrid orchids, and huge crowds come
to buy or just to enjoy the ambiance.
Outside Bangkok, the main city for shopping is Chiang Mai, the
unquestioned center of traditional Thai handicrafts. The Night
Bazaar, is a good place to sample the full range of local
products such as cotton, lacquerware, silver, hilltribe
clothing, Burmese tapestries, painted umbrellas, and
woodcarvings. While in Chiang Mai, make a point of going to some
of the factories that offer demonstrations of how these goods -
- particularly lacquer, silk, silver, and paper umbrellas- -are
actually made.
Pattaya also has many shops selling Thai goods and a
particularly wide selection of precious and semi-precious stones
since the popular resort lies near Chanthaburi, where numerous
gem mines are located.
Shopping Tips
Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed
prices, but at most of the others bargaining is acceptable and
expected; even some department stores will offer a discount on
expensive items like jewellery and fine furniture. No fixed
rules can be given on the process, depending as it does on the
bargainer's skill and the shopkeeper's mood, but the final price
may be reduced as much as 30 percent to that first quoted. An
important point to keep in mind is that Thais admire good
manners and a sense of humor and tend to be put off by loud
voices and a loss of temper. Providing you have the time, a good
general rule is to make a survey of several shops selling the
sort of items you want before coming to a final decision.
Packing and
Shipping Services
Thanks to the number of tourists coming t Thailand, most shops
are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the
documents such as insurance, customs, and necessary permits. The
Central Post Office also offers a parcel-wrapping service for
those who want to make small shipments themselves. For larger
items or bulk shipments, there are several Bangkok companies who
specialize in such matters.
Trading
Opportunities
The Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Ministry of Commerce,
Royal Thai Government, offers the Permanent Exhibition, One Stop
Export Showcase whereby all manufactured Thai quality products
are on display by more than 250 selected exhibitors with more
than 10,000 items in the 3 exhibition halls of 4,000 square
metres exhibition area. The same services are also available at
DEP regional offices.
You can browse to your content among top quality products
ranging from gift items and handicrafts, all kinds of furniture,
toys, leather products, artificial flowers, garments, food
products, construction materials, auto-parts, hardware, tools
and appliances, stationery and sporting equipment, to mention
only some of the items on hand, all carefully selected for
reliability and a high standard of workmanship.
If you find products that suit your requirements, you may
contact the manufacturers directly or DEP staff can provide a
variety of services to help make things easy. For example, they
will arrange appointments with any companies and also provide
negotiating rooms with full office facilities. All of the
Permanent Exhibition's services are free of charge.
For more information please contact Thai Trade Center or a
Commercial Counsellors Office located in your own country, at
the nearest Royal Thai Embassy, or at Department of Export
Promotion, Batchadapisek Road, Bangkok. Tel: 511-5066-77, Telex:
82354 DEPEP TH, Fax: 512-1075, 513-1917
Duty Free Shopping
Thailand Duty Free Shops Co., Ltd. (TDFS) is located for
tourists' convenience in Bangkok's World Trade Center on
Ratchadamn Road in the heart of the Thai capital and the
pre-order points are in the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, the
River City Complex (Bangkok), Sam Phran Park (Nakhon Fathom, and
Alcazar (Pattaya)
Shopping in Thailand
Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia's most popular
shopping centres. You find not only Thailand's well-known host
of unique handicrafts, but also a superb choice of luxury buys.
All items are distinguished by fine Thai workmanship and of
modern technological skills.
The variety of what to buy is fully matched by an exciting
choice of where to buy. From the ease of modern air conditioned
shopping plazas and department stores to the traditional markets
and street stalls, there is every scope for both the browser and
the dedicated bargain-hunter. In addition in Bangkok, which
naturally offers the greatest wealth of shopping opportunities,
other cities and resorts provide excellent scope, notably for
regional handicrafts, such as woodcarving and other typical
northern handicrafts in Chiang Mai, or nielloware products in
the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Traditional Handicrafts
Thailand is renowned for its traditional handicrafts. Produced
in variety of designs, these make not only ideal souvenirs
gifts, but are also perfect for design and home decoration.
Royal Crafts
No finer examples of craftsmanship can be found then those
produced under royal patronage. In 1976,Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit sought a way both to give rural Thais alternative
sources of income and to revive some of the Kingdom's
traditional crafts. The result was the establishment of the
Foundation for Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and
Related Techniques, popularly known as SUPPORT. The project has
flourished and today craftsmen working under SUPPORT guidance
produce a wonderfully rich collection of many kinds of
traditional handicrafts.
Among items available are exquisite hand-woven silks, including
the famous tie-dyed mat mee silks of the Northeast;elegant yan
liphao woven handbags, Thai cottons and many other reasonably
priced souvenirs. These SUPPORT handicrafts can be purchased
from the Foundation's chain of exclusive outlets, known as
Chitrlada Shops, and all proceeds go to the on-going development
of the project.
Rattan and Wicken Work
Thailand has earned a fine reputation for its high quality
rattan and wicker furniture. Both elegant and durable, these
items are available in a wide variety of designs and styles.
Decorative objects in rattan and wicker work display an
excellent standard of workmanship, and are ideal for lending a
light tropical touch to any interior decor.
Nielloware
Practiced in southern Thailand for hundreds of years, nielloware
is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with
delicated designs filled with a metal alloy. Workmanship of high
quality today finds expression in a number of beautiful
nielloware trays, boxes, vases and other items widely available
in Bangkok and in the South, notably in the province of Nakhon
Si Thammarat.
Brass & Bronzeware
Shoppers have long recognized the excellent value of
made-in-Thailand brass and bronze-ware. Techniques combine
traditional methods with modern innovations, such as silicon
coating to prevent tarnishing, while designs similarly reflect
both the old and the new. Especially popular are fine cutlery
sets, bowls and other tableware, as well as brass sculptures of
figures and animals in classical and contemporary styles.
Lacouerware
Very Oriental and very attractive are lacquer ware bowls, boxes,
tray and numerous other items for interior decoration or for
souvenirs. Native to Chiang Mai and the North, the craft
involves coating split bamboo or wood with lacquer, then adding
intricate hand-painted designs. Typically, objects are produced
in either gold-on-black lacquer or yellow and green on a
red-brown background
Silverware
Silver-beating is another craft traditional to Chiang Mai. Bowls
and boxes with skillfully worked patterns are popular buys,
while vases and other ornaments in both old and modern designs
are available particularly in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Phanom but
also in Bangkok and else where.
Pewterware
Like silver, pewter is fashioned with great skill by Thai
craftsmen, and the smooth, silky finish of this attractive alloy
is often enhanced by delicate decoration. Among pewter ware
items are plates, boxes, vases and pocket flasks.
Ceramics
Pottery of consistently high artistic value has been produced
throughout the Thai history. Various styles, both indigenous and
Chinese-influenced, have predominated at various periods to
leave a rich legacy. So today's shopper is presented with a full
choice of both faithful reproductions of traditional styles and
modern wares. Among the former are the distinctive sea-green
celadons, Chinese blue-and-white and the colourful Bencharong
wares which are unique to Thailand. Modern ceramics are
alsoproduced in an exciting range of contemporary designs which
exemplify the continued vitality of the craft. Whether old or
new in style, Thai ceramics are available in many forms -- from
dinner services and bowls to vases and lamp bases, from small
figurines to huge glazed water jars perfect for garden
decoration.
Fabulous Fabrics
The Orient has always been famous for its textiles, and Thailand
in particular has a rich tradition of producing fine hand-woven
fabrics. Best known is Thai silk, which enjoys worldwide renown
and is perhaps the most popular of all the Kingdom's shopping
treasures, but cotton and batik are also available
Thai Silk
Produced in countless colours and eye-caching designs, Thai silk
has traditionally been used for clothing, and is sold both by
the length and as ready-to-wear fashions.
With enhanced production in recent years, Thai silk is also now
produced in heavier weights ideal for draperies, upholstery and
other household furnishing. Additionally, the rich fabric is
further used for place mats and napkins, neckties, scarves and
other accessories, as well as exquisite coverings for a whole
range of souvenirs from jewelry boxes to notebooks.
Mat Mee Silk
A unique style of Thai silk, known as Mat Mee, is a handicraft
traditional to the northeast region of the country. Produced
from tie-dyed silk threads, the fabric is hand-woven in a
variety of beautiful designs, typically distinguished by
intricate patterns and subtle colours.
Once a neglected craft, Mat Mee silk has been revitalized in
recent years through rural development projects initiated by Her
Majesty Queen Sirikit. Today, Mat Mee enjoys an unprecedented
vogue as a fashion material favoured by Her Majesty and other
members of the Royal Family.
Cotton & Batik
Thai cotton has gained an enormous reputation over recent years
and is today as famous and as popular as silk. A fabric of fine
texture and durable quality, Thai cotton is produced in a broad
range of colours, prints and embroidered designs, and is found
in a wide variety of goods from clothing to bedspreads, table
linen, cushion covers, rugs, bags and more.
Notable among cottons products are hill tribe handicrafts and
batik designs. Woven in traditional patterns by the tribal
people of the North and typically displaying bold designs and
often lavish embroidery, hill tribe cottons make and especially
attractive buy. Difference in style but equally distinctive are
original batiks crafted at several studios in Bangkok.
Gem and Jewellery
Bangkok is today the coloured gemstone capital of the world. The
country is a major source of rubies and sapphires, while Bangkok
has also become an established cutting and setting centre for
all kinds of precious stones.
Gems
Bangkok offers many opportunities to purchase polished gems.
Rubies and sapphires are indigenous stones, but virtually all
coloured gems, as well as, increasingly, diamonds, are also
available. Shoppers should exercise caution and know what they
are looking for. Remember, there are no bargains in the gem
business, or so few as to be negligible -- good and cheap simply
don't go together when it comes to precious stones. But what the
careful shopper can expect is excellent value for money.
Jewellery
Jewellery-making facilities have expanded rapidly in recent
years, and today Thailand ranks as the world's second biggest
jewellery exporter. Cutting skills are matched by creative flair
in jewellery design and setting, affording the shopper a
splendid choice of quality items in a wide price range.
Alternatively, many leading jewellers will also accept
commissions for custom-made pieces. In addition to jewellery,
gemstone pictures and other decorative items are to be found.
Gold
Good and inexpensive craftsmanship, combined with standard gold
prices, make Thai gold articles excellent value. Handcrafted
chains, bracelets, earrings, pendants and other articles are all
widely available at the many specialist gold shops in Bangkok,
as well as at jewellery stores.
Art
Fine art has been produced in Thailand since the birth of the
nation, while the Kingdom's neighbours similarly have a rich
tradition of creating exquisite artworks. Modern art also
flourishes today, and both the collector and the occasional
shopper will discover plenty to catch the eye.
Antiques
Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys. If
you spend the time to look around and shop wisely it is possible
to find items of museum quality. There is an export ban on
certain pieces, while some others require an export license, but
any reputable dealer will advise on restrictions and any
necessary documentation.
There are many quality antique shops around Bangkok, but the
greatest concentration is found at River City Shopping Complex,
on New Road, where there is also an antiques auction on the
first Saturday of every month.
Paintings
The Thai art scene is vibrant and there are numerous shops
offering original works by local artists. Subjects range from
renderings of classical temple mural and manuscript paintings to
landscapes, typical Thai scenes and contemporary works of high
aesthetic value. Art lovers should also remember that local
framing is inexpensive and of high quality.
In addition to several art galleries around Bangkok, exhibitions
are held regularly at various leading hotels and other notable
venues. For details, check the "What's On" column of the local
English language newspapers.
Clothing & Accessories
Clothing presents many excellent buys, both men and women's
fashions off-the-peg and tailor made. A whole range of
accessories are also to be found, especially leather goods which
offer particularly good value for money.
Ready-to-Wear
Thailand is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
ready-to-wear clothing, producing garments not only for local
shops and department stores but also for export markets. The
staple of this booming business was formerly T-shirts and jeans,
but while these still offer good value, product lines now
include a whole range of fashions which meet international
standards of workmanship and design originality. Fashion
boutiques are found in every shopping mall, while cheaper
clothing is available from the street stalls.
Custom Tailoring
Tailor-made clothing in Thailand is as affordable and as easy as
buying off the peg. There are literally thousands of
establishments, small and large, which can produce the perfect
fit in virtually whatever style you want in just a few days or
even hours. Tailors may suggest patterns or copy any you care to
provide, and you can choose from a wide selection of materials,
both locally-made and imported.
Leather Goods
Complementing Thailand's clothing industry is an extensive
production of quality leather goods. Renowned for their
durability and beautiful designs are shoes, either ready made or
made-to-order, leather jackets, belts, handbags, briefcases,
luggage, wallets and a host of other accessories Specialist
leather shops and street stalls, offer a staggering variety of
products at very attractive prices.
Flower & Fun Buys
Not least in Thailand's shopping kaleidoscope are a host of
pleasure and fun buys, ranging from fabulous fresh orchids to
artificial flowers, toys and an array of inexpensive items found
on market stalls.
Thai Orchids
Thailand is blessed with a huge variety of orchids Through
meticulous cross-breeding, plants previously found only in their
natural forest habitat have been domesticated and now more than
a thousand species are available from specialist orchid farms.
Magnificent colours and durable beauty make orchids a very
popular purchase. Specially packaged flowers, complete with
water supply, are easily transported and long retain their
freshness and beauty. Orchids may be bought at many shops in
Bangkok and at Bangkok International Airport.
Artificial Flowers
With nimble fingers and a sure eye for beauty, Thais are adept
at producing super artificial plants and flowers. In what is a
rapidly growing export industry, a wonderful variety of faithful
replicas and original imaginative creations are available. All
are entirely hand-made and relatively inexpensive, and make
splendid items for home decoration.
Thai Dolls and Toys
The art of doll-making in Thailand dates back hundreds of years
and remains very much alive today. Doll collectors will delight
in a broad assortment of detailed and beautifully crafted
figures of classical dancers in full costume, hill tribe people
in their traditional colourful dress and rural folk. For
children there is a variety of soft cuddly dolls manufactured
according to the strictest international safety requirement.
Fun Buys
On the fun side, you will enjoy the city's numerous traditional
markets. Pak Klong Talat, for example, overflows tropical
fruits, fabulous flowers and fresh produce of all kinds. The
Weekend Market, on the other hand, is packed with stalls selling
just about everything from potted plants to pets, from
yesterday's antiques to the latest pop T-shirts. Alternatively,
street stalls mushroom nightly along Silom Road and other major
thoroughfares to offer a colourful array of fun buys.
Where to shop
Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets,
and there are many areas throughout the city affording ample
choice and easy access. The following is just a selection of
some of the principal shopping districts.
Silom-Surawong-Phatpong:
Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok's commercial heart and
is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Phatpong rus crosswise
between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist
shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area
also boasts branches of Central and Robinson's department stores
and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most
notably at Phatpong's famous night market.
Silom-Mahesak-New Road:
Silom leads into New Road which parallels the Chao Phraya river,
and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery
stores (Mahesak Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza
and River City Shopping Complex.
Phloen Chit-Ratchadamri:
Found here are, among other, Central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza,
Isatan, Zen, TAT's Thailand Duty Free Shops, Amarin Plaza,
Peninsula Plaza with a host of luxury shops, World Trade Center
and , not least , Narayana Phand pavilion, the official
handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country.
Sukhumvit:
Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares,
and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern
shopping plazas.
Pratunam-Phetchaburi:
A highlight of this district is Pratunam Market, one of
Bangkok's biggest traditional centres for ready-to-wear clothing
of all kinds.
Banglamphu:
Situated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald
Buddha, Banglampu has a lively market where clothing is a
popular buy.
Chinatown:
Centred on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok's Chinatown
offers a profusion of gold shops as well as two nearby
traditional shopping places, "Thieves Market" and Phahurat Cloth
Market.
Chatuchak Weekend Market:
Located at Chatuchak Park, adjacent to Vibhavadirangsit Highway
(leading to the airport),the Weekend Market, open on Saturday
and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about
everything from clothing to potted plants -- a paradise for
browsers and bargain-hunters alike.
Baiyoke Tower:
Located next to Bangkok's tallest building is one of the city's
renowed garment centres.
Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisi Road:
This area offers a variety of shops located conveniently close
to the southern bus terminal.
Ratchadaphisek Road:
An up-and-coming commercial district with a branch of Robinson's
department store and the offices and showroom of the Department
of Export Promotion
Bangkok International Airport:
Here there is an extensive range of shops offering a full
selection of Thailand's top buys.
Beyond Bangkok:
The main city for shopping outside the capital is Chiang Mai
which ranks as one of the world's largest centres for
handicrafts and cottage industries. The extensive range of local
products includes silverware, lacquer ware, cotton and silk,
hill tribe clothing, Burmese tapestries and hand-painted
umbrellas Pattaya alos offers plentiful shopping for Thai goods,
while virtually all other tourist centres give ample opportunity
for buying gifts and souvenirs, as well as local specialties.
Shopping Advice
Fixed prices are the norm in department stores and a number of
shops in Bangkok, but at most other places bargaining is
acceptable and expected. Generally you can obtain a final figure
of between 10 to 40 percent lower than the original asking
price. There are no hard-and-fast rules for bargaining, and much
depends on your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. But remember
Thais appreciate god manners and a sense of humour, and they are
put off by loud voices and loss of temper. With patience and a
broad smile you will not only get a better price, you'll also
enjoy shopping as an art.
Generally, shopping in Thailand is easy, fun and very rewarding,
but the following advice is useful especially when making gem
and jewellery purchases:
- Never let a tout or a new-found friend take you shopping.
Stores give commissions to these people and that cost is
reflected in the price you pay.
- Choose a shop carefully. With gems, for example, make sure it
is a specialist in that field and not simply a general souvenir
store.
- Shops in hotel arcades pay high rents and accordingly prices
tend to be higher than at street shops. On the other hand, hotel
arcades are very convenient if you have little time for
shopping. Moreover, prestigious hotels generally attract quality
shops.
- Shop around to compare prices, though be sure to make
comparisons between like items-- this is especially important
with gems and jewellery.
- Assess the sales assistants. Do they appear knowledgeable? Are
they willing to discuss an item's bad as well as good points.
- Take your time, never let a shop assistant pressure you into a
purchase.
- Reputable shops will give a written agreement to a full refund
on any goods returned within 90 days. If a shop refuses to do
this, go elsewhere.
- Obtain a receipt for goods bought and check it is correct
before leaving the shop.
- Ultimately, your best guide is what you like. Don't , for
example, buy gems or jewellery for the purpose of re-sale or
investment. They may have such appreciation potential, but there
are no guarantees. Shop for pleasure not for profit.
Packing and Shipping
With shopping as one of Thailand's major attractions, most shops
are experienced in packing and shipping goods, as well as in
arranging insurance, customs permits and any other necessary
documentation.
The Central Post Office also offers a parcel-wrapping service
for those who want to make small shipments themselves. For
larger items or bulk shipments, there are several Bangkok
companies who specialize in such matters.
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