Shopping

Excerpts from the Guide are provided for your information. You need to refer to the Bangkok Guide 17th Edition for complete details.

This chapter in the Bangkok Guide contains detailed information on these topics:

Shopping in Bangkok is loads of fun and this chapter will provide some guidance. The Bangkok Guide 17th Edition lists everything from major shopping centres and department stores to factory outlets, markets, fairs and sales; covering all types of shopping. Going to the larger department stores is a familiar experience for us all, but it is well worth the effort going to some of the smaller and out-of-the-way places we recommend, and discovering more of your own. Bangkok is full of surprises and the range of goods on offer is remarkable.

The challenge of finding some locations can be interesting. Note that the addresses given here can be spelt in various ways and directions may be complex – if you are unsure, call the shop and ask for directions. Price range will vary considerably but there are always sales (especially at the end of the month) and in many places, (markets in particular) vendors will expect you to bargain.

Bangkok has numerous markets at which you can buy just about everything: fresh food, flowers, clothing, household goods, furniture, plants and much more. Areas with steady pedestrian traffic and office complexes, such as Silom and Sukhumvit roads, have street stalls and markets. These stalls and markets usually set up around 11a.m. each day, and sell a variety of merchandise, including ‘brand name' clothing and bags, CDs, DVDs, jewellery and souvenirs. A list of the major markets, including locations, directions and specific products, is provided at the end of the chapter.

Don't forget to spend time studying maps of Bangkok . There are many maps available, but for shopping you will find Nancy Chandler's Map of Bangkok invaluable. We recommend you purchase one; these are available from all major bookshops, good hotel gift shops, Villa Market and at www.nancychandler.net. The BTS, MRT, buses, boats, taxis and tuk tuks enable you to access most of the city very easily.

Where to shop?

The major shopping areas ‘in town’ are marked on maps. For example:

• Central World Plaza area on Rama I, which includes Gaysorn Plaza across the road, as well as Siam Square and MBK complex (souvenirs, books, mobile phones) and the up-market Siam Paragon and Siam Discovery
• Along Silom Rd, from Sala Daeng BTS station down to Silom Galleria (art, crafts, tailors, jewellery)
• Charoen Krung (New) Rd and the Oriental Hotel area (tailors, craft, antiques)
• River City (antiques)
• Chinatown and Sampeng Lane (fabric, crafts, food)
• Pockets along Sukhumvit Rd to Soi 63 (furniture, lighting, clothes) including Central Department store complex at Chit Lom, and the Emporium building
• Thong Lo (Soi 55), with clothes, furniture etc.
• The ‘green route' in Sukhumvit, which is the sois ‘behind' Sukhumvit Rd from Soi 11 through to Soi 63, is well worth a wander – lots of boutiques, cafes and antique shops
• There are the markets, famously Chatuchak (Jatujak), but also Pratunam and others.
• There are various large shopping centres a little further out: Seacon Square , Seri Center and others.

Parking

Generally, shopping centres and department stores have free off-street parking. Smaller shops in sois and along main roads seldom do. If your shopping is carried to your car, a tip is customary.

Payment

Credit cards are accepted in all department stores, hotels and many shops. The larger department stores have store credit cards that often provide further discount on purchases. Some stores will accept a personal cheque from a Thai bank account. Cash is the preferred and most common form of payment in smaller shops and all markets. If you are buying expensive items with cash, always ask for a discount. It's worth a try!

Bargaining

If you can speak a few words of Thai, especially numbers, you will find the bargaining process considerably easier, not to mention more enjoyable. The vendors will appreciate your efforts and are more likely to reduce the price accordingly. It is often worth mentioning that you live here. Bargaining requires time and patience and the vendors have an abundance of both. You will find that some of the well-known tourist areas are more expensive than markets as most ‘short-term' visitors don't have the time to look around. Vendors in these areas are often reluctant to lower their prices when they know a less experienced person will pay them. Bargaining does not apply to the purchase of food.