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Shopping
 Shopping
Advice
Buyer
Beware
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
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
Buyer
Beware
The Jewel Fest Club
Jewellery and gemstones form Thailand are also a favourite
item for many visitors to the kingdom. Their beauty, quality
craftmanship and reasonable price have earned Thai precious
and semi-precious stones a worldwide reputation. Yet occasionally,
there have been visitors who complained about the action
of few unethical jewellers who persuaded them to purchase
jewellery at an unreasonable price.
Through the cooperation of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders
Association (TGJTA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT), the Jewel Fest Club has been established, bringing
about 50 leading jewellery manufacturers and wholesalers.
The club's aim to offer quality products at reasonable prices
with a money-back guarantee if buyers are not completely
satisfied with their purchases. Retail outlets bear the
emblem featured here for ready identification.
When you purchase an item of jewellery from a store that
is clearly identified as a member of the Jewel Fest Club,
your purchase will be duly recorded, and a certificate detailing
your purchase will be issued. Not only does this certificate
of authenticity clearly state the nature and price of your
purchase, it also guarantees your refund should you wish
to return the purchase, cut by 10% if you return the merchandise
to the point of sale within 30 days, and by 20% after 30
days but within 45 days of purchase. Contact The Jewel Fest
Club at Tel : 0 2630 1390-7, Fax: 0 2630 1398-9, www.jewelfest.com
The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints
a year about fake jewellery purchases. To avoid being a
statistic, you must stay alert to the warning signs of a
swindle at work. Heeding our warning could help you stave
off unpleasent surprises and make your vacation what it
should be - full of sparkle.
The following are valuable pointers for your protection
:
- Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your
presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
- Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple
the purchase prices is an impossible proposition under any
circumstances. Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction
for your own use or for loved ones.
- Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding
to buy. Never be in a hurry.
- Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable
items with you.
- Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind.
Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send
touts to lure tourists to their stores.
- There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry
authorized by the government or any official agencies at
any time of the year.
- The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize
any jewellery stores.
- As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words,
promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized
verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters
and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you
are your own best protection.
- All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad
are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that
are bought in Thailand.
- When in doubt about a gem shop, check it with us at:
Tourist Assistance Centre
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310
Tel: (66) 2250 5500 Fax: (66) 2250 5511
Email : center@tat.or.th
Jewel Fest Club
Tel : (66) 2630 1390-7, Fax: 0 2630 1398-9
Website: www.jewelfest.com
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.
Content
by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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