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What
to Buy
A wealth of shopping opportunities awaits the
visitor, and bargains abound throughout our country
in traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery
and antiques, as well as more contemporary items.
 Gems
: 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.
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.
 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.
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.
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.
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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