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 Traveller's Tales: Shopping suggestions in Thailand
Get the best advice on shopping in Thailand. You may read about shopping malls, souvenir items and best buys in the area. Also, you might want to read our
Bangkok city guide,
Chiang Mai city guide,
Hua Hin city guide,
Koh Samet city guide,
Koh Samui city guide,
Krabi city guide,
Pattaya city guide,
and Phuket city guide.
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| L Graziose |
13 March 2005 |
Stayed at Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel - Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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Chiang Mai Night Bazaar has become quite the tourist ripoff place. No really good prices like a few years back. It seems like they all agree on a basic inflated asking price, and will not drop below a certain ceiling. Prices are much cheaper at Chatuchak in Bangkok. Even many shops in Bangkok have lower prices! Too bad -- not like the old Chiang Mai market.
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| T Macnabb |
20 February 2005 |
Stayed at Ambassador Hotel Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand.
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I strongly recommend taking the open-air boat night cruise along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, which includes a decent Thai or Seafood dinner and traditional Thai dancing, from prices starting at 810 Baht (approx. USD21-22), depending from which tour agent you purchase the ticket from. I recommend open-air, as the cool breeze off the water makes the whole experience very comfortable indeed. The historical lit-up temples that you pass also provide for a magnificent experience.
A visit to the Thai boxing (Muay Thai) at the Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium (the biggest in Bangkok)on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue near the TAT office, is also strongly recommended. Competition bouts are held on Mondays at 5.00 and 9.00 pm, Wednesdays at 6.00 pm, Thursdays at 6.00 pm, and Sundays at 5.00 pm. Don't get ripped off by touts selling tickets on the street. Only buy tickets from the authorized sellers in the ticket windows at the stadium. Tickets vary in price depending on the seating. Outer circle seats cost around 250 baht. Ringside tickets cost 500 baht on up to 1000 baht depending on the card. A boxing match includes eight fights with a maximum of five rounds each.
The best way to get around Bangkok outside of peak hour in my opinion, is clearly a Tuk-Tuk. However, should you not require the adrenaline rush, nothing can beat a metered, air-conditioned taxi. Also, check out the many fashion tailors, as you can pick up 2 tailor-made suits incl. 2 pairs of pants (using the best English material) for as little as USD470.
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| S Kromka |
08 February 2005 |
Stayed at Davis Bangkok, The - Bangkok, Thailand.
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We greatly enjoyed Sukothai, an "authentic" Thai restaurant in the "Camp Davis" shopping center next to The Davis Bangkok. Specializing in soft shell crabs and large river prawns, everything we ordered was delicious. The prices were higher than many of the other Thais restaurants we tried, but definitely worth it.
We also arranged for a Klong (Canal) tour through the Davis Hotel concierge. The boat ride was fun, but even though we told the tour guide we were DONE with shopping, as we were on the last day of a 2 week trip, she still insisted on taking us to a huge Gem and Jewelry center afterwards- and did not tell us she had this on the agenda. My traveling companion and I are both involved with the jewelry industry in the US and had absolutely NO INTEREST in doing this. Although the gem stones were of decent quality and were probably of interest to many people, they held absolutely no interest to us. The jewelry designs were fairly commercial, even though some were quite opulent. Fortunately, the sales staff was very professional and not insistant.
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| S Ghosh |
29 January 2005 |
Stayed at Eastin Hotel, The - Bangkok, Thailand.
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We learnt how to use the Skytrain and would recommend it at most times of day even for part of a journey to avoid the terrible traffic. Walk down the Eastin's street towards Chidlom station in order to enjoy the street stalls and street-life. Tuk-tuks are always more pricey than cabs, less safe but occasionally faster; most journeys to central areas should not cost more than 50-100 baht. Bargain or cab it. Great photo shop a few doors down from hotel for quick and cheap(ish) development.
One of the owners at 'EAstin tailors' (no relation) turned aggressive when we asked to pay our balace once he had actually finished the clothes to our satisfaction. Not recommended. Women should make a point of asking for female staff to take measurements - Ambassador Fashions not recommended. The most stylish restaurants and clubs are clustered around Sukhumvit and in general the location of this hotel is not too distant from most interesting places but traffic can make it so.
Highly recommended: The Face bar and restaurant Soi 38; Bed Supperclub; both in Sukhumvit. Elysium spa soi 23 opposite Taipan hotel offers swish 'boutique' (most over-used word in Thailand leisure) surroundings and treatments at reasonable prices. great service. Vertigo at Banyan Tree (very expensive and delicious food - you must go at least for a drink and the most astonishing ambience and views of any bar we've yet visited in the world). Nearest shopping mecca World Trade Centre Central Plaza and for designer stuff, Gaysorn (these two plazas are connected and a 20 min walk from hotel).
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| R Selamat |
26 January 2005 |
Stayed at Baiyoke Suite Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
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If you have a short time to explore BKK, recommend the canal tour, which passes through more than 20 temples along the Chao Praya River and lets you see BKK as you will never see from land. Dream World was just OK. But good way to let your children spend their day instead of just sightseeing or shopping.
Shopping in BKK was mind boggling. Too many night markets selling the same things at exorbitant prices. Not recommended for those who don't enjoy haggling. Shopping malls like MBK Centre, Central World Plaze, Emporium and Central Mall were OK. Lots of varieties too but more upmarket. Only managed three floors of the six floors of shopping in MBK Centre. But you can find almost everything you want there.
Oh and I must recommend this Muslim, Pakistani and Indian restaurant called Al Sanar near Baiyoke Sky. Good food. Also another Muslim restaurant near Baiyoke Sky called Maeda.
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| N Phuah |
24 January 2005 |
Stayed at Asia Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
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Bangkok is truly a shopper's haven. I literally shopped from day until night. I started at the weekend morning market at Chatuchak as early as 7am via the skytrain stopping at Mo Chit station. Shopped till noon (when it really gets too hot) then left. As I was leaving people started to swarm in. So the advice is to start early before it gets too hot and crowded. Because I got the free ride, I managed to get my "goods" loaded at the hotel before I pushed off to MBK. I would also recommend lunch at MBK at the food court on 6th Floor. They served an array of food from Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese etc. The price are quite resonable too. Dinner was at the famous "Supermarket" Seafood, which can be reached via the skytrain stopping at The Emporium shopping complex. It's almost 3km walk into the road next to Emporium (Soi 24). Ignore, the other seafood restaurants. Although over priced but it was definitely an experience for me.
At night I went to Pat Pong. I find the traders outside lining the streets are more friendly and willing to bargain and less violent. Only bargain if you have the intention to buy. Otherwise, they may get pretty harsh physically and verbally. Some may totally refuse to let you leave until you can agree to a price. Bargain at least 50% down. Some can go as low as 75% discount. Pat Pong is recommended for fake watches, fake handbags, souvenirs and handicrafts. If you want clothes, go to Pratunam. You can buy at wholesale price if you willing to buy three pieces of the same type. You can mix different patterns, colors and sizes. But they normally have a different price for S, M and L. If you ever spot anything that you like and the price is right. Just buy it, as goods sold at Pratunam, MBK, Chatuchak etc. are all different. I never got my favourite blouse because I didn't have enough time to go back to the same place again.
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| P Johnstone |
03 January 2005 |
Stayed at Ambassador Hotel Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand.
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Go to Pantip Plaza, great for electronics---Raatchathewi station for this.
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| M Wong |
31 December 2004 |
Stayed at Ambassador Hotel Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand.
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For an authentic taste of Thailand, visit the food centre on the 6th floor of the Mahboonkrong centre - take BTS to Siam station, change to western line and get off at National Stadium. My favourite was the fried oysters, Hoy Tod. MBK is a fantastic place to shop - clothing, crafts, electronics etc. And you dont have to bargain as hard as at the night markets to get the same price.
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| J Ong |
29 December 2004 |
Stayed at Asia Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok, Thailand.
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JJ weekend market is a must see, Suan Lum night market is very nice to shop at without too much crowds and it has good food to boot!
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| C Lim |
27 December 2004 |
Stayed at Rabbit Resort - Pattaya, Thailand.
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If you intend to do lots of shopping, stay in the South/Central Pattaya area. You can practially walk the entire street shops. If you prefer a quiter retreat, Jomtien beach would be a better option. Taxis (tuk-tuk) from Central Pattaya to Jomtien can cost about THB100 per couple.
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