Shopping in Thailand

What to Buy and Where to Shop in Thailand

An overwhelming choice of high quality shops and multifarious markets have made Thailand internationally famous for its shopping opportunities. It should be noted that the prices in large department stores are usually higher than those in local markets, though these are still useful as a general guideline. Department stores are also a reliable source of genuine designer goods, rather than the cheap, lower quality fakes that are still widely sold in the markets.

Tour guides and taxi drivers usually earn a commission for taking their clients to certain shops and, although there is nothing wrong with this particular practice, shopping around is recommended. A number of smooth-talking touts still hang around some of the major tourist attractions in the hope of snagging unsuspecting tourists into following them to shops - especially gem and jewellery shops. Following them is usually an unrewarding adventure and has occasionally led to people being disappointed in one way or another.

It is in the Thai markets that the best bargains and the most fun can be had when shopping. Colourful and fascinating, they constitute a sightseeing experience in themselves, and much enjoyment can be had without buying a thing.

Bangkok

Chatuchak Weekend Market

This huge, popular weekend market, set on a 35 acre plot of public park, is open from dawn to dusk every Saturday and Sunday. Chatuchak has literally hundreds of stalls and thousands of products, including handicrafts, plants, fresh fruits, antique reproductions, shoes, toys, clothing, domestic utensils and pets.

Banglamphu

The traveller hang-out of Khao San Road, near the Chao Phraya River, in Banglamphu, has a wide range of street stalls and enclosed markets selling ethnic and tie-dyed clothing, leather goods, footwear, cosmetics and curios.

There are also a large number of stalls selling secondhand books.

Chinatown Markets

An exciting place to visit even if not shopping, Chinatown has two particularly interesting markets - the Pahurat cloth and textile market, mainly run by Thai-Sikhs, where materials can be bought cheaply, and the Thieves Market selling a range of antiques and bric-a-brac.

Patpong & Silom Road Night Market

By day, a busy shopping and business district, at night this area converts into a raucous entertainment centre with numerous street-stalls selling everything from fashion items to watches and music. Much that is for sale here is fake.

Pratunam Market

The bustling area in downtown Bangkok is best known for bargain clothing.

Chiang Mai Markets

Warorot Market

Located near the river, many other Chiang Mai markets are equally as colourful, but cannot match the size of this market or the variety of goods available.

Almost anything can be bought, and it is easy to spend several hours exploring the hundreds of shops and stalls on two different levels.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

This is a great place to visit for the atmosphere, and discovering the occasional unusual shop selling something quite different from the run-of-the-mill tourist favourites. Shopping around and bargaining is essential before deciding on a purchase.

Best Buys

Silk

Made internationally famous by Jim Thompson, Thai silk is available in a variety of weights and colours, or as off the peg or bespoke clothing.

Ceramics & Pottery

From the richly decorated Benjarong style to the simple beauty of Celadon, Thai ceramics and pottery comes in many attractive forms, shapes and sizes.

Wickerwork

There is a wide variety of durable rattan and bamboo wickerwork available, with most shops happy to arrange shipment of large pieces around the world.

Brass & Bronze

Bronzeware is a Thai specialty, with many traditional and modern designs obtainable.

Modern silicone coating methods prevent normal tarnishing, and items need only the minimum of care.

Gold and Silver

Many jewellers can craft items to individual specifications, but ready-made favourites include hand crafted chains, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, coins, and pendants. However, since gold prices are fixed according to the daily market prices, costs can vary. Small antique silver items, available at many markets and some shops, make particularly attractive souvenirs or gifts.

Pearls

There are several pearl farms producing fine quality products in Thailand's southern peninsula, particularly in Phuket, Phang Nga, and Ranong.

Sa Paper

Made from the Sa tree, this remarkably strong paper is used for, among other things making religious scriptures, canvases, fans, and masks for the traditional Thai theatre as well as for many attractive inexpensive souvenirs.

Its most famous use is for the colourful and wonderfully durable umbrellas made in Chiang Mai.

Artificial Flowers - Entirely hand made using Sa paper, coconut fibre, and silkworm cocoons, Thailand's artificial flowers rank amongst the finest in the world.

Dolls

The art of doll-making dates back hundreds of years. From classical dancers in full costume, hill tribe people in their colourful dress, rural folks in everyday attire, to traditional Thai children with their topknots, the dolls reflect Thailand's wide range of different peoples and customs

Wood Crafts

Ranging from superb furniture to the most delicate carvings, Thai craftsmen are renowned for their talent in transforming raw wood into beautifully aesthetic forms, from lifelike replicas of animals, to reproductions of figures from old temples and palaces. Chiang Mai is particularly noted for teakwood furniture which can be made to measure, and shipped to your home.

Shadow Puppets

With characters from the Ramakien, the Thai translation of the Indian epic drama, the Ramayana.

Shadow theatre figures of buffalo hide come in singles and pairs, usually fixed in a fighting pose, and groups, often with backgrounds of earthly or celestial scenery.

Jewellery

Thailand is now a well-established cutting centre both for precious stones mined locally, and those imported from neighbouring countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia. There are many attractive jewellery items on sale in hundreds of shops and markets all over the country and almost anything can be copied, or made to measure to suit your preference.

Note: The export of Buddha images, images of deities and antiques is strictly forbidden without first obtaining approval from the Fine Arts Department. Note that in the case of Buddha images, this only applies to consecrated images and not those sold as souvenirs.

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