Shopping in Bangkok, Thailand

Shopping in Bangkok is totally unique. There is quite simply nowhere else on the planet that offers the same experience.

Bangkok has worked hard to develop its reputation as one of Asia’s most inviting shopping destinations.

The city is huge and offers every type of shopping experience regardless of your budget.

There are literally dozens of modern, air conditioned shopping malls, offering everything imaginable.

Top designer shops with merchandise ranging from high end cars to top of the line designer clothes are all offered in abundance.

For those with a slightly more modest budget, there are again plenty of shopping malls offering everything from Chinese herbal medicine to shops offering crystals and new age products.

Along with these are shops recognisable to millions - Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins, Boots to name just a few.

If you are traveling (and shopping) on a tight budget, then do not despair. There are still plenty of bargains for you to snap up.

There are literally hundreds of street markets in Thailand, and Bangkok has some of the largest. And as to be expected, here is where you need to bring your finest bargaining skills.

Street vendors and market stall holders are experts at haggling, and negotiating the best price. They are becoming increasingly familiar with visitors asking "Is that your best price?" so try to surprise them.

Remember, you are far more likely to bag a bargain if you remain calm, polite and smile, than if you are surly, snappy and disgruntled.

Plan on spending a little over half what the original price asked was, and you won’t go far wrong.

But do remember that most of these traders survive on a tiny fraction of what most of us would consider we need, just to live.

Jewellery may be on your list of items to price, buy and bring home. Thailand has plenty of stores offering all types of gemstones, both precious and semi-precious.

Most will be set in 22 carat gold, unlike the standard of 14 carat in the USA, and 9 carat in the UK. Cultured pearls from Phuket and jade from Burma are two local treasures to look out for.

When buying jewellery and gemstones, unless you are expert in the field, you would be wise to buy only from a recognised and fully accredited seller.

There are plenty of fakes and imitations around, some extremely good, so as with any shopping purchase, remember caveat emptor (let the buyer beware). And if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is!

Thai silk is another local specialty, and tailors will make anything from three piece business suits to dresses, blouses and shirts in a very short time, usually a couple of days.

Many of these tailors are highly skilled and will copy an item of clothing you bring in to them, or create something in your size from a magazine cutting or photograph.

Locally made souvenirs carved from wood are a very popular choice for tourists. Often items have been intricately carved for many days, and are sold at prices we would pay for a take away meal.

Labour in Thailand is relatively cheap, so it is possible to buy exquisitely hand worked items, like embroidered fabric or carved wood, at a fraction of the prices in other countries.

Shopping Malls & Markets in Bangkok

Central World Shopping Center Central World Plaza is now regarded as one of the finest shopping centres and malls of South East Asia. World...[+]		Platinum Fashion Mall Sometimes known as the Pratanum Mall, the shopping center is a great place to look out the latest designs at...[+]
Klong Thom Market Bangkok To say that Klongthom is the cheapest, biggest, and most attractive source of selling second hand things is definitely t...[+]		The Emporium Bangkok The Emporium is one of the most convenient shopping malls in Bangkok, the multi level mall is right next to the Phrom Ph...[+]
Gaysorn Plaza Bangkok Gaysorn Bangkok is a cool and classy shopping centre for high-ends luxury goods and designer labels. Its contemporary...[+]		Wang Lang Market This market is one of the best places to buy the most fashionable clothes and accessories. Located next...[+]
Saphan Phut Night Market Saphan Phut is not one of the major markets where most of the tourists go. The prices are cheaper and the market is r...[+]		Fortune Town Bangkok IT Mall Fortune Town is a mix of hotel, shopping mall and supermarket, located right next to the Phra Rama 9 MRT station. Be...[+]
Bobae Market in Bangkok For thirty years Bobae market on Krung Kasem Rd served as the center for wholesale garments. It is the oldest and lar...[+]		Sampeng Market in Bangkok If you're feeling a bit adventurous and are looking for a bit of inspiration, take a stroll down Sampeng Lane. Sampen...[+]
Bangkok China town or "Yaowarat" Yaowarat Road, the heart of Chinatown in Bangkok, is said to have been built during the...[+]		Bangkok Little India or Pahurat Pahurat - Little India, so named because in the early days of Bangkok, around the turn of the 20th Century, Pahurat beca...[+]
Chatuchak Weekend Market If you have been seeking shoppers’ heaven, you have just found it! Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok is...[+]		MBK shopping center MBK or its Thai name of Mah Boon Krong is where many Thai people prefer to shop, even though it may not be as smart as s...[+]
Pantip Plaza in Bangkok Thailand Pantip Plaza is the place to go for electronics, computers, and anything hi tech. It’s also...[+]		Pratunam Market (Wholesale) For the bargain hunter who likes the fashions but not the prices, Pratanum market is the place to find that bargain. ...[+]
Saphan Lek or Iron Bridge Market Saphan Lek is famous for cheap electronics stuffs. This market extends along the road...[+]		Siam Center Siam Center is another shopping mall located in Siam area. Siam Center is connected to Siam Paragon and Siam Discover...[+]
Siam Discovery Siam Discovery is another shopping mall located in Siam area. Siam Discovery is connected to Siam Center. Take a BTS ...[+]		Siam Paragon Siam Paragon is one the most convenient shopping centres in Bangkok, right next to the Siam Skytrain station, which has ...[+]
Siam Square Shopping Area Siam Square is situated in the heart of Bangkok, it is a shopping and entertainment mecca for trendsetters. With a hi...[+]		Suan Lum Night Bazaar There were rumours a few years ago that the bazaar would close, but that has not transpired and the Suan Lum Night ...[+]

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