Thailand Shopping
Guide
Shopping Advice
Buyer Beware
Where to shop
 What
to Buy
Thai silk, cotton,nielloware,silverware,bronzeware, pottery and
celadon, pewter, precious stones, finished jewellery and a dazzling
range of folk handicrafts make memorable gifts and souvenirs. International
standard ready-made sportswear and leisurewear is inexpensive and
quality tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hour service in
Bangkok and major tourist destination.
Clothing : We're one of the world's leading manufacturers of ready-to-wear
clothing. Fashion boutiques are found in every shopping mall, while
cheaper clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are available at bargain
prices from street vendors. Custom tailoring is also very affordable
and tailors can produce or copy most styles in just a few days.
Silk : Probably the most famous of all our kingdom's handicrafts,
silk is available in a range of colours, patterns and plys, and
is sold by the yard, or as ready-made clothing and souvenir items.
A unique style of Thai silk is Mat Mee, a tie-dye silk traditional
to the North-east. The best known outlet for Thai silk is undoubtedly
Jim Thompson's shop at the top of Surawong Road in Bangkok.
Cotton & Batik : Our Thai cottons have become increasingly
popular and are a good deal. Particularly notable are the hilltribe
cottons woven by the tribal people of the North, typically displaying
bold designs and often lavish embroidery. Equally distinctive are
original batiks crafted at several studios in Bangkok.
Pewterware : Pewter is fashioned with great skill by Thai craftsmen,
and the smooth, silky finish of this attractive alloy is enhanced
by delicate relief decoration. Pewterware items include plates,
boxes, vases and pocket flasks.
Gem : Bangkok is the coloured gemstone capital of the world. Rubies
and sapphires are indigenous stones, but virtually all coloured
gems, as well as diamonds, are available. Shoppers should exercise
caution and buy from reputable dealers only.
Antiques : Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent
buys. There is an export ban on certain pieces, particularly Buddha
images. Other pieces may require an export license, but any reputable
dealer will be able to advise on restrictions and any necessary
documentation.
Ceramics : Both traditional and contemporary styles of pottery
are available throughout our kingdom. Best known are the distinctive
sea-green celadons from the Sukothai area, and the central provinces'
colourful Benjarong (five color) porcelain, which are unique to
our country.
Nielloware : Practiced in the South for hundreds of years, nielloware
is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with delicate
etched designs filled with a metal ware. Nielloware trays, boxes,
vases and other items are some of our best buys.
Lacquerware : A specialty of Chiang-Mai and the north, this craft
involves coating split bamboo or wood with lacquer, then adding
intricate hand-painted designs typically gold-on-black lacquer or
yellow and green on a red brown background. Look out for lacquerware
bowls, boxes, trays and other items for decoration or for souvenirs.
Thai Orchids : We're famous for our huge variety of orchids and
their magnificent colours and durable beauty make them a popular
purchase. Specially packaged flowers, complete with water supply,
are easily transported and can be conveniently purchased at Bangkok
International Airport.
Furniture : Rattan and rosewood furniture items are available in
many designs and styles and can also be made to order. Shops in
Bangkok and Chiang Mai have a wide selection and can arrange shipment
overseas.
Hilltribe Crafts : The tribal groups who live in the hills of the
north make a variety of beautifully embroidered textiles and silver
jewellery. Chiang Mai is the centre for such goods.
Shopping Tips
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, shopping in Thailand is easy, fun and very
rewarding, but the following advice is useful especially when making
gem and jewellery purchases :
- Shop around to compare prices - this is especially important
with gems and jewellery.
- Obtain a receipt for goods bought and check if is correct before
leaving the shop
- Never let a tout or new found friend take you shopping. Stores
give commission to these people, and the cost is reflected in the
price you pay.
- In general, jewellery items cannot be returned. If refunds are
allowed, then often 25-30% of the selling price will be deducted
as “costs of damages”. More reputable companies may
offer a full refund although usually only within a certain time
limit, such as 30 days. Do not believe any claims by shop owners
that purchases can be refunded at Thai embassies, consulates or
other government offices overseas.
- 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 eslewhere.
- 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.
Packing and Shipping Services
Thanks to the ever-increasing number of tourists coming to 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 specialise
in such matters.
VAT Refund
Visitors entering the Kingdom on tourist visas are entitled to
refunds of the 7% value added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased
at shops, department stores and other retail outlets displaying
" VAT Refund for Tourists " signs, where tax refund application
forms are available. Prior to airport departure, visitors must present
a completed VAT refund form, plus passport information and purchase
receipts, to a customs officer. Certain luxury goods must be shown
to an excise official. Refunds may be in bank draft form or credited
to a credit card. For more information, please contact the VAT Refunds
for Tourists Office, Tel: 0 2272 9388 or VAT Refund Office at Bangkok
International Airport Tel : 02535 6577-8
Buyer Beware
The Jewel Fest Club
Jewellery and gemstones form Thailand are also a favourite item
for many visitors to the kingdom. Their beauty, quality craftmanship
and reasonable price have earned Thai precious and semi-precious
stones a worldwide reputation. Yet occasionally, there have been
visitors who complained about the action of few unethical jewellers
who persuaded them to purchase jewellery at an unreasonable price.
Through the cooperation of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association
(TGJTA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Jewel Fest
Club has been established, bringing about 50 leading jewellery manufacturers
and wholesalers. The club's aim to offer quality products at reasonable
prices with a money-back guarantee if buyers are not completely
satisfied with their purchases. Retail outlets bear the emblem featured
here for ready identification.
When you purchase an item of jewellery from a store that is clearly
identified as a member of the Jewel Fest Club, your purchase will
be duly recorded, and a certificate detailing your purchase will
be issued. Not only does this certificate of authenticity clearly
state the nature and price of your purchase, it also guarantees
your refund should you wish to return the purchase, cut by 10% if
you return the merchandise to the point of sale within 30 days,
and by 20% after 30 days but within 45 days of purchase. Contact
The Jewel Fest Club at Tel : 0 2630 1390-7, Fax: 0 2630 1398-9,
www.jewelfest.com
The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints
a year about fake jewellery purchases. To avoid being a statistic,
you must stay alert to the warning signs of a swindle at work. Heeding
our warning could help you stave off unpleasent surprises and make
your vacation what it should be - full of sparkle.
The following are valuable pointers for your protection :
- Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence
in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
- Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase
prices is an impossible proposition under any circumstances. Buy
jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for
loved ones.
- Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy.
Never be in a hurry.
- Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable
items with you.
- Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind. Reputable
dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists
to their stores.
- There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized
by the government or any official agencies at any time of the year.
- The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize
any jewellery stores.
- As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises,
personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or
written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do
not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection.
- All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither
bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand.
- When in doubt about a gem shop, check it with us at:
Tourist Assistance Centre
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310 Tel:
(66) 2250 5500 Fax: (66) 2250 5511
Email : center@tat.or.th
Jewel Fest Club
Tel : (66) 2630 1390-7, Fax: 0 2630 1398-9
Website: www.jewelfest.com
Where to shop
In Bangkok : 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. Here’s just a selection
of some of the places to go shopping!
Chatuchak Park Weekend Market :
A famous Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything
from clothing to potted plants - a paradise for browsers and bargain-
hunters alike.
Silom-Mahesak-New Road :
Many gems and jewellery stores are found here, also the River City
Shopping Complex, known for its quality antique stores and regular
auctions.
Silom-Surawong-Patpong :
The commercial heart of Bangkok. houses dozens of specialist shops,
boutiques and shopping plaza representing all the major buys. Street
stalls also abound, most notably Patpong’s famous night market.
Ploenchit-Ratchadamri : 
Many department stores and shopping malls are here, including the
Central World Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza, Sogo, Central Chidlom and Peninsula
Plaza with dozens of shops and restaurants, and the Siam Centre,
Discovery Center which contains many fashionable boutiques. Opposite
the Central World Plaza you will find the Narayana Phand Co.,Ltd.
(A joint venture with the Ministry of Industry) 127 Ratchadamri
Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 0 22524670-9 Fax:
0 2255 7247 website: www.naraiphand.com the official handicraft
centre selling items from all parts of the country.
Chitralada Shops: Outlets for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s
SUPPORT Foundation, which encourages the production of traditional
Thai handicrafts. Chitralada shops can be found in Bangkok and other
major travel destinations such as Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Pratunam-Phetchaburi :
Pratunam Market, one of Bangkok's garment districts, is the place
to go for low-priced clothing of all kinds.
Bang Lamphu :
Close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang
Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.
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
cotton and silk, hilltribe clothing, Burmese tapestries, hand-painted
umbrellas and lacquerware, and many such items can be found at its
fascinating Night Bazaar. Pattaya also offers plentiful shopping
for Thai goods while virtually all other cities and resorts provide
ample opportunity for buying gifts and souvenirs, as well as local
specialties.
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