Thailand travel guide
Planning your trip
Travel tips
Adventures & Activities
Shopping Shopping Advice
The export of antiques and Buddha images
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 Advice
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
The export of antiquities or Buddha images from the kingdom of Thailand
- Buddha images, Bodhisattva images of related fragments a part of ancient Monuments and
Prehistoric objects, are forbidden to be taken out of the Kingdom. Newly cast complete Buddha Images can be exported for worship, cultural exchange or educational purposes with Licenses issued by the Fine Arts Department. Not more than 5 pieces par person shall be allowed.
(more information contact to 0 2628 5032)
- Reproductions of antiquities can also be exported with licenses.
- Procedures to obtain a license for export of antiquities or Buddha images:
3.1The following documents should be produced together with the application form:
a) two copies (3x5 inches) of front view photograph of the object(s)
b) a photocopy of the applicant's passport (in case of export of Buddha images the photocopy of passport must be certified as true copy by the respective Embassy or Consulate in Thailand.)
3.2 Bring the object(s) and the documents to apply for a license at any of the following Places:
a) Office of Archaeology and National Museums 81/1 Si Ayutthaya Road., Theves, Dusit, Bangkok, Tel: 0 2628 5032
b) Chiang Mai National Museum, Superhighway Road, Amphoe Muang, Ching Mai, Tel: (053) 221-308
c) Songkhle National Museum, 13/1 Jana Road, Tambon Bohyang, Amphoe Muang, Songkhla, Tel:(074) 311-728} 311-881
d) Thalang National Museum, Tambon Si Sunthorn, Amphoe Thalang, Phuket, Tel:(076) 311-426
3.3 Please allow 4 working days for license issuing process.
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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The
electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different
types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travellers with electric shavers, hair
dryers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit. The
better hotels will make available 110-volt transformers.
Traveller Tools 
