Bangkok : Shop Together
Shopping is one of Bangkok's major attractions and ic is also one of the most competitively priced cities in Asia. On rhe spot bargaining is die norm for buying things except in departmental stores. When bargaining for an item, ir is standard to pay roughly two-thirds of rhe original price asked. To an Indian in Bangkok, this trend will cerrainly remind him of Indian markets where bargaining is done up to the hilt. He'd be very much used to haggling for almost everything, be it be clothing, toys or fruits, lherc are no hard-and-fast rules for bargaining, much depends on your skill and the shopkeeper's mood. One thing to be remembered is rhat Thais appreciate good manners and a sense of humour, and loud voices and loss of temper put them off. Shopping in Bangkok is nor limited to one or two major streers. There are many areas in Bangkok affording ample choices and easy access.
Phloen Chit-Ratchadamri
Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely Central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza, all of which togethet make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the World Trade Centre and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Phloencbit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mahboonkrong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.
Silom-Surawong-Patpong
Silom Road is rhe main artery of Bangkok's commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Paipong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpongs famous nighr market.
Silom-Mahesak-New Road
Silom leads into New Road that parallels the Chao Phraya River. Norable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex sell a wide range of items, wirii particular emphasis on anriques, tailored clothing and contemporary Thai and Asian paintings.
Sukhumvit
Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and soi 21 (Asok) and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai. The Nana Entertainment Complex on Soi 4 is one of Bangkok's favourite nightlife areas.
What to buy
Textiles
With Thai silk being considered the best in the world, fabric is the best all-round buy in Thailand. What is unique in Thai silk is that the weave and the texture is soft so that it can be dyed easily, resulting in brighter colours and a unique lustre. Tailor-made and ready-made clothing are relatively inexpensive.
Jewellery
Thailand is one of the world's leading exporters of gems and ornaments. If you know what you are doing, you can make some excellent deals in both unset gems and finished jewellery, If you are a first timer in jewellery shopping then make sure to never allow a tout or a new-found friend take you shopping.
Thai Handicrafts
Colourful embroidery, clothing, bags and jewellery fashioned by the indigenous tribal people in Thailand's northern provinces can be bought in Bangkok. Thais have been producing the world's finest lacquerware since the 11th century. Bowls, trays, plates, boxes, containers, cups, vases and many other day-to-day items are sold at most markets. Many kinds of hand-thrown pottery is available throughout Thailand. Most popular among them being the greenish Thai Celadon products from the ancient Sukhothai Si Satchanalai area and central Thailand's 'five colour' style known as Bencharong.
Pratunam-Phetchabur1
A highlight in the district is Pratunam market (commonly called Indra market by the Indians), is one of Bangkok's biggest centres known for its ready-to-wear clothing, which is sold partly in a street market where determined bargaining is required.
Baiyoke Tower
Located next to Bangkok's tallest hotel building, Baiyoke tower is one of the city's renowned garment centres. NAI LERT PLAZA Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.
Banglamphu
Situated close to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Banglamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy. This area offers inexpensive items, especially readymade clothing, leather goods, footwear, cosmetics and other curios. Bargaining is the norm here. CHINATOWN Centred on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok's Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as several nearby traditional shopping places such as Thieves Market and Phahurat Cloth Market.
Bo-Be Market
Situated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city's renowned ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Located at Chatuchak Park, adjacent to Vibhavadi Rangsit Highway(leading to the airport), the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday from dawn to dusk, approximately 7.00 am until 6.00 pm, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing ro potted plants and everything in between - a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. It sells at least one thousand different local products including pets, handicrafts, plants, fresh fruits, antique reproductions, shoes, toys, clothing and domestic utensils. The market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.
Pak Khlong Talat
This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables. It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The market is crowded in the early morning and in the evening.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This popular attraction is some 80 kilometres west of Bangkok accessible by regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of vendor boats crowd the market area in the early morning till noon.
Bang Rak Market
Located on New Road, between Silom and Sathon Roads, this market offers a particularly large selection of cut blooms and orchids. Lovely garlands made principally of jasmine arc a specialty.
Lang Krasuang Market
A row of shop-houses facing Khlong Lot on Atsadang Road sell moderately priced second-hand goods, including antique cameras and typewriters, musical instruments, radios, and all manner of electrical goods. Here too, like at many other markets in Bangkok, one has to bargain to get the best price.
Woeng Nakhon Kasem (Thieves Market)
Better known as 'Thieves Market', located between Yaowarat Road and New Road, near Phahurat, this area sells antiques, including Thai and Chinese objects d' art, porcelain, brassware, coppcrware and furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. You can't help but bargain here.
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