A Shopping Guru's Advice for Bangkok

“Business is better this year,” says Peter Thaba, who works at a custom tailors in Bangkok’s famous MBK shopping mall.

Like other retailers Mr. Thaba was keen to make up for losses incurred from last year’s massive anti-government protests which saw many overseas tourists think twice about visiting Thailand.

“Our customers are 100 percent foreigners. Thai’s don’t like wearing suits,” he said.

Despite the political upheaval of recent years, Australian shopping guru and author Wendy Johnson says Bangkok is still seen as a safe destination and remains an exotic location for international shoppers.

Upmarket stores such as Gucci and D&G, as well as little down the scale labels such as Spanish label Zara and Malaysian British India, she says, are easily found along with a strong array of Thai designers.

“Asian design and products are very in style around the world and the craftsmanship and stylish design of Thailand is legendary,” said Ms. Johnson. “Many young Thai designers are adapting innovative Western design with the elegance of the East.”

“[There’s] local designer such as Zenithorial, Flynow, Greyhound and Kai Boutique, and of course the attraction with Thai designers is you are taking home something new, innovative and different to what your friends will have,” said Ms. Johnson.

Shopping options in the Thai capital are varied. Its prestigious marbled malls and department stores are glamorous – the best known ones such as Siam Paragon and Emporium can be found along the city’s Sukhumvit Road.

The major malls and department stores, Ms. Johnson said, all have discount cards for tourists that are available at information counters (just remember to take your passport with you).

“Foreign visitors (however not airline crews) can also claim a refund of the 7 percent VAT refund on goods over 5,000 baht and single purchase over 2,000 per day,” she said.

“You must present your goods and VAT Refund Application for Tourists form to customs officers for inspection before you check-in, so leave extra time when you arrive at the airport,” said Ms. Johnson. Shoppers should check out the conditions prior to arriving in Bangkok she advised.

Ms. Johnson also suggests international shoppers should do some research and be aware of prices in their own country.

“There is nothing worse than arriving home to discover your exotic bargain is available for the same price just down the road,” she said.

“Good quality Thai silk is affordable and in brilliant jewel colours can look outstanding as curtains and bedcovers as well as accents items,” she said.

Outside of the air conditioned glamour malls and department stores, Bangkok also offers more adventurous shopping experiences with the weekend’s Chatuchak Market being a highlight.

“[At Chatuchak Markets it is] where many up and coming young designers try out their products. There is a lot of junk, some fun some not, but keep it to a few hours and you will enjoy,” said Ms. Johnson.

With over 15,000 booths spread over 27 acres, the Chatuchak Market is one of the biggest weekend markets in the world. Beyond fashion items there are antiques, art, jewellery and exotic pets that can be found up for sale.

The market’s website says it has over 200,000 visitors on each day of the weekend and estimates that 30 percent of those are overseas visitors.

Bargaining or haggling is the way to buy at the market but there’s no one set of rules says Cat Nongnapad a vendor who sells her “Crazy Cat” handmade slippers, mostly to overseas buyers.

“The more slippers you buy the bigger discount you get,” she says adding that her business also does wholesale.

Many of the Chatuchak Market’s booths, such as that occupied by artist Sontaya Mameemai, can also arrange shipping and packaging of any purchased goods. In his case, Mr. Sontaya assists with the shipping of those larger acrylic works of art painted onto wood panelling or corrugated iron that he sells to foreign customers.

This year Chatuchak Market is also partaking in selling of locally made products made under the One Tambon One Product scheme which have been included in this year’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale” that is usually a huge shopping festival associated with brand-names.

In its 14th year, this nationwide sale runs from June 15 to August 15 and is organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand together with VISA International and tourism related agencies.

On an end note Ms. Johnson added that the city’s traffic congestion offers some challenges to visitors but offered one more piece of good advice.

“The traffic can be a major problem especially if you have limited time and want to see and do as much as possible, a good alternative is the sky train or the metro across the city and then use a taxi at the end of your journey if it is too far from the station to walk,” said Ms. Johnson.