Bangkok Shopping
We know there are many who think of Bangkok as a shopper's paradise. There are indeed some great bargains to be had, and there is certainly a lot to choose from, but we would be remiss if we didn't put in a word of caution: while there are bargains, many things, especially anything imported, is likely to be more expensive than elsewhere. Check prices of any planned major purchases at home before you leave.
Markets
Despite the presence of way too many glittering new shopping malls, Bangkok is still a city of markets. There are markets in just about every neighborhood, and some have become so famous that they draw customers from all around the city, as well as international visitors. See the Bangkok Markets page for ideas of which markets to visit.
Specialty Items
- Local Handicrafts
- The biggest selection of Thai handicrafts can be found at Narayanaphand, located on Ploenchit Road in the basement of the Siam Intercontinental. Of course, one of the most well known Thai handicrafts is silk. Other distinctive Thai crafts include Benjarong ceramics and celadon.
Sadly, a lot of the 'Thai' souvenirs on sale at many tourist sites are mass produced items that may have been made in Burma, Laos, Cambodia or even China. If you want to be sure of getting a genuine Thai handicraft, and help out Thais, you might want to patronize one of several foundations and charities that make or sell real Thai handicrafts.
- Antiques
- You'll find shops in all the major tourist areas, but the center is River City next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton. Note that 'antique' has no legal definition in Thailand, and the word is often applied to things that could well have been made yesterday, but are designed or made to look old. Thais do not value old things, so truly old items are most likely to be found in a junk shop.
- Clothing
- You'll find tailor shops in many hotels and shopping centers. For discount clothing, make your way to Pratunam market, within walking distance of the World Trade Center. Be sure to note our clothing sizes caution when purchasing ready-made items.
- Computers and Technology
- Panthip Plaza on Petchburi road, not far from the Pratunam garment district, and within a long walk from Central World shopping center. Somewhat more comfortable and easier to get to is Fortune Town on Ratchadapisek Road. The Rama IX subway station is right in front of the center. Note that electronics are not necessarily cheap in Thailand. If you're visiting Malaysia or Singapore, you'll almost certainly find better prices there.
Shopping Centers
There are dozens of shopping centers around Bangkok - some very big ones in fact. Malls in Thailand are a little different than your typical shopping mall in the US. Bangkok malls are full blown entertainment centers, with supermarkets, movie theaters, bowling alleys, restaurants of every descriptions and much more. Many Thais will spend much of their free time 'hanging out' in shopping malls, which is why so many malls compete so hard for their attention. While visiting a western-style shopping mall may not be high on your list of activities for your trip, there may still be reason for you to want to visit one. Check our list of Bangkok shopping malls for the low-down on the malls you may want to see.
Department Stores
Most of the big malls are anchored by large department stores of one brand or another. The various brands often occupy their own market niches, so knowing a little about them may help you decide which one is right for you.
In this section
Almost all major department stores are locally developed chains, even though they may have foreign sounding names. Japanese retailers once dominated the market, but now almost all of them have gone.
Central Occupies the higher end of the market. The flagship store is the Chidlom branch on Ploenchit Road, which has access from the Chidlom Skytrain station. Robinson Staked out the middle market with more suburban locations. The Mall Despite its name, The Mall operates its own department stores, within larger malls that the company also owns and operates.
Despite the presence of way too many glittering new shopping malls, Bangkok is still a city of markets. There are markets in just about every neighborhood, and some have become so famous that they draw customers from all around the city, as well as international visitors. Here's a list of the more interesting markets that you may want to work into your visit:
Chatuchak Weekend Market This massive market is only open on Saturday and Sunday.
Emporium Shopping Mall There are a few shopping centers that may be worth a look for the tourist. Note that several of these are located in the Siam area, Bangkok's Shopping District.
Siam Square Outdoor cluster of shophouses which is currently given over to independent clothing designers, music stores and other things of interest to the young crowd attracted to Siam Square. Siam Paragon Opened in December 2005, Siam Paragon takes center stage, both literally and figuratively, in the heart of Bangkok's Shopping District.
The name most synonymous with Thai silk is Jim Thompson. The American is credited with reviving the "dying" art of weaving Thai silk in the years following World War II. He sought out weavers in the northeast of Thailand - where most of the silk is still sourced - and made sure the craft was passed on. He advised on what patterns and colors would sell, and of course he purchased a lot of final product for his own shop in Bangkok.
Benjarong ceramics on display at Narai Phand Although perhaps not well known outside of Bangkok, Narai Phand is perhaps one of the most reliable names in Thai handicrafts. It's certainly one of the oldest, having been established in the 1930s as a joint venture between the Ministry of Industry and the private sector. The shop carries a wide variety of crafts, inclduding samples of some items, such as musical instruments, that are hard to find anywhere else.
Benjarong is perhaps one of the most colorful and ornate of Thai handicrafts. It starts with fired white porcelain, which is then painted with often elaborate geometric patterns, glazed and fired again. Bright colors are traditionally used. The word Benjarong literally means 'five colors' but these days it can be painted with anything from three to eight colors, and almost always trimmed in gold.
A traditionally shaped and painted benjarong bowl.
Sadly, a lot of the 'Thai' souvenirs on sale at many tourist sites are mass produced items that may have been made in Burma, Laos, Cambodia or even China. However, there are a number of foundations and charities - many of them royally sponsored - that either promote the production of traditional crafts to keep them alive and provide income for poor families, or sell locally produced items to support other charitable works.
Bright colors of Thai silk. There is evidence from archaeological sites in Northeastern Thailand that silk production there may pre-date the start of sericulture in China. Despite this long and rich history, the cottage industry was in something of a decline by the end of World War II, when the American Jim Thompson supposedly revived it. That may have been a bit of self-serving PR, but the Jim Thompson Thai Silk company definitely invested heavily in developing a quality silk supply, and continues to do so.
