Vacation Thailand - BANGKOK
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As a shopping destination, Bangkok
is one of the most popular in Asia
Thailand is a paradise for shoppers. Regular visitors to
Asia know that, in many ways, Bangkok beats Hong Kong and Singapore for deals in terms of
handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery, art and antiques. Nowhere else will you find the
same selection, quality and prices.
Fixed prices are the norm in department stores. but at most other places bargaining is a
common practice and prices may be reduced by as much as thirty percent. Courtesy at all
times is appreciated.
Shopping in Thailand is an adventure in itself. From modern department stores and shopping
plazas, to flea markets and road-side stalls where bargaining is obligatory, even visitors
with the greatest will-power will no doubt find something to their liking.
Silk
Thai silk is perhaps the country's best known
quality product, available in an enormous range of colours, designs and widths. Not only
does this fabulous material lend itself to haute couture, it is also ideal for curtains,
wall coverings, and other interior design uses. Silk can be bought by the length, as
tailor made outfits, or in a huge variety of accessories and decorative items.
Jim Thompson. Most well-known Thai silk operation. Only the finest silk is displayed in
its outlets. Expensive but the quality is the best to be had HANDICRAFTS.
Handicraft
Narayana Phand. Biggest Thai handicraft centre
in Thailand. Comprehensive range of products - Thai silk, cotton fabric, bronze ware,
ceramics, lacquerware, Thai dolls, teak wood products, reproduction antiques, etc. A joint
venture between Thai government and private sector. Very reliable. Reasonable prices.
Gems
and jewellery
For many years Thailand has been a major source
of quality rubies and sapphires, though so great has been latter-day expansion of the
whole gem industry, notably in the cutting and jewellery making sectors, that all kinds of
precious stones are now being imported for processing and setting. This has made Bangkok a
world centre for coloured gemstones, giving the shopper unparalleled opportunities in
value and choice
Apparel
When it comes to clothes, Bangkok is one of the
best place to shop. The garment industry has run amok here with everything from designer
wear to casuals. International brand names like Celine, Giordano, Armani, Hugo Boss, Max
Mara, Nautica, Mexx, DKNY have made their presence felt in almost every other shopping
mall or department store.
If `tailor-made' clothes are on the shopping
list, head for Sukhumvit Road. Perhaps the cheapest in tailor-made clothing anywhere.
Tailors offer astonishing bargains and most promise to have your suits, ready in no time.
Shop around before you settle on one.
As a shopping destination, Bangkok is one of the
most popular in Asia
Baiyoke
Plaza and Pratunam Market.
The ideal place for great bargains when it comes to clothes. Probably the cheapest in
Bangkok. Near Indra Regent Hotel, Pratunam area.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
A wellknown weekend market and a big tourist attraction.
Everything from crockery to antiques at bargain prices. Check for quality and do make an
effort to bargain. Open only on Sat. and Sun. from early morning till dark. Opposite the
Northern Bus Terminal.
Chinatown
Yaowarat Road - Chinatown is an old
business, with many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods
including wholesale items such as household goods, stationery, and toys. The area is
always lively, and market stalls abound. There is a profusion of gold shops as well as
traditional Chinese foodstuffs and restaurants.
The
Emporium
Newest shopping complex on Sukhumvit 24 comprises up-scale
retail shops offering world famous brand- names. Emporium Department Store and cinemas
Gaysorn Plaza
One of the best shopping addresses in town, Gaysorn has a
collection of international brand names. Conveniently located in the heart of the business
district. The plaza also boasts a number of good restaurants. Ploenchit Road.
MBK - Mah Bun Khrong
It is packed with stalls by the hundreds of
them selling everything from clothing and leather goods, electrical equipment, furniture,
cosmestic and general gift items. For shoppers who enjoy market styled atmosphere, in
air-conditioned comfort MBK is the place
Ploenchit Plaza
Houses an inexpensive factory outlet `Inter Outlet' selling
brandname products at more than 50 per cent discountLa Coste, Lee, Nautica, Alain Delon,
Nino Cerruti. Interesting exhibitions are regularly organised. Worth a visit. Top of
Sukhumvit Rd.
River City
Next to Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, is a Mecca for those
on the look out for arts and antiques. Auctions are a regular feature here. If you are
lucky you'll catch an art exhibition or one of their handicraft fairs. River City is also
the departure point for most river cruises.
Seacon Square
Billed as the largest shopping plaza in Asia, Seacon Square
is a whole day effort. It houses Robinson and Lotus. Other attractions here are YoYo Land,
an indoor amusement park, a skating rink, a bowling alley and 14 theatres
Siam
Discovery Center
An up-market shopping centre aimed at the young. Five
storeys of great shopping. Each floor catering to different tastes, beginning with the
teenagers on the ground floor. Next to Siam Square
World Trade Center
A shopping spree at the World Trade is more of an
expedition. Eight floors of shops and two department stores: Zen and Isetan. Make a trip
there if only for the duty free shop and Tower Records - the best place to shop for music.
DEPARTMENT STORES
CENTRAL Group
When it comes to department stores CENTRAL is ubiquitous.
Probably the most popular department store, it offers good quality products. More than 10
branches in Bangkok.
ROBINSON
The other big name is ROBINSON with a number of branches.
The Sukhumvit branch is great for gourmet food products.
BIG C and LOTUS
On the lower end of the scale, in terms of prices, are BIG
C and LOTUS. Low prices and good quality but no brand names. Most price conscious
residents who don't mind no-name products like to shop here.
ISETAN, SOGO, TOKYO
There are also a number of Japanese owned department stores
like ISETAN, SOGO, TOKYO, but prices tend to be on the higher side.
You should further find time to visit traditional fresh
produce markets. These are colourful lively places where you can see the full variety of
vegetables, spices, fruit and flowers, including many kinds of fabulous orchids, that the
fertile land produces in abundance.
Pak
Khlong Talat
Pak Khlong Talat: literally meaning "a market by the
mouth of the canal", is the collective name for five adjacent markets, which have
altogether been transformed to become the biggest and most important wholesale market and
distribution centre for vegetables, flowers and fruits. It is located on Maha Rat Road
near the Memorial Bridge.
Alternatively, street stalls mushroom nightly along
Silom Road and other major thoroughfares to offer a colourful array of fun buys.
Patpong Night Market
Apart from the colourful night life, where an amazing variety of
bars, clubs, discotheques and other exotic venues exist, there is a pulsating night market
to attract all-night revellers. This is where you can buy clothing and souvenirs of all
kinds. Patpong's lively night market spills over on to Silom Road
As a final note on shopping, bear in mind that while
fixed prices are the norm in department stores and some of Bangkok's larger shops,
bargaining is not only acceptable, but also expected at most other places. There are no
hard-and-fast rules for bargaining, but patience and a broad smile will serve you well in
enjoying shopping as an art
Narayanaphand
This is a handicraft centre, under government supervision,
located on Ratchadamri Road, opposite the World Trade Center. Visitors may inspect
and buy selections of handicrafts from all parts of the country. Items available include
Thai silk, ceramics, wood carvings, lacquerware, bronze objects and Khon masks. The
store is open daily from 10:00 until 20:00 hours.
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