Thailand
and Bangkok have developed into one of the best and most popular shopping
locations in Asia, and with good reason. Prices are low, quality generally
high and the range and variety is pretty amazing - silks, gemstones, tailor-made
clothes and traditional handicrafts are all highlights of Bangkok shopping.
Most shops seem to be open 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday of the week, and nightmarkets
carry on even after this time - all very convenient in being able to go shopping
at basically any time you want. Buying a shopping map is very useful in order
to get the most out of shopping in Bangkok - despite the garish colours, the
'Nancy Chandler' map is actually very useful and probably the best.
Silks, nielloware, lacquerware, silverware, bronzeware, pewterware, pottery,
gemstones and jewelry and all types of handicrafts are particularly good souvenirs
of a trip to Thailand, while clothes and tailor-made clothes are widely available
and inexpensive. Fake goods of all types abound and can be bought at a fraction
of a cost of originals. There are different manufacturers of fake goods, so
the 'Rolex' watch costing 6000B will be better than the 2000B one, which in
turn is superior to the one at 500B.
Most vendors and staff at stores speak good enough English, though non-fixed
prices are often bargained by you and the vendor taking turns in typing numbers
into a calculator. It's worth learning how to say the numbers
in Thai - this is easy, will save the calculator routine and may well
get you cheaper prices too.
Street stalls and shops on the street will generally have lower prices for
the same product than those paying premium rents in hotel shopping arcades
and some higher end shopping centers and department stores. The price difference
can also reflect on the quality of the product though.
Duty Free shopping can be done at the Thailand Duty Free Shops Company branch
in the World Trade Center on Ratchadamri road. Goods can be pre-ordered here
and then picked up at the airport - you have to show your passport and airline
ticket in order to make a purchase. It's not really worth it unless you are
particularly short of time at the airport.
Many of the larger and more specialized shops now offer shipping abroad,
and they will sort out the necessary documents and permits for this. Insurance
should also be included. If you don't feel comfortable with this, there are
specialized companies that will do it and sort out the arrangements for a
fee. The GPO also has a parcel-wrapping service, and smaller items can be
mailed from here. Another option is to go Thai Airways office on 485 Silom
road and, for a fee, they will ship them and sort out documentation for you.
Thailand
and Bangkok have developed into one of the best and most popular shopping
locations in Asia, and with good reason. Prices are low, quality generally
high and the range and variety is pretty amazing - silks, gemstones, tailor-made
clothes and traditional handicrafts are all highlights of Bangkok shopping.
Most shops seem to be open 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday of the week, and nightmarkets
carry on even after this time - all very convenient in being able to go shopping
at basically any time you want. Buying a shopping map is very useful in order
to get the most out of shopping in Bangkok - despite the garish colours, the
'Nancy Chandler' map is actually very useful and probably the best.
