Silom - Surawong - Phatpong :
Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok's commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Phatpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boats branches of Central and Robinson department stores and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Phatpong's famous night market.

Silom - Mahesak - New Road :
Silom leads into New Road which parallels the Chao Phraya river, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City Shopping Complex.

Phloenchit - Ratchadamri :
Found here are, among others, Central, Sogo and Daimaru department stores, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza with a host of luxury shops, World Trade Centre and, not least, Naraiphan Pavilion, the official handiphan centre selling items from all parts of the country.

Sukhumvit :
Like Silom. Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques, shopping plazas and department stores such as Robinson.

Patunam - Phetchaburi :
A highlight of this district is Pratunam Market, one of Bangkok's biggest traditional centres for ready-to-wear clothing of all kinds.

Bang Lam Phu :
Situated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lam Phu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy. There are also branches of New World and Tang Hua Seng department stores.

Chinatown :
Centred on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok's Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as two nearby traditional shopping places, Thieves Market and Phahurat Cloth Market.

Chatuchak Weekend Market :
Located at Chatuchak Park, adjacent to Vibhavadi Rangsit Highway (leading to the airport), the Weekend Market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plantes - - a paradise for browsers and bargan-hunters alike.

Baiyoke Tower :
Located next to Bangkok's tallest building is one of the city's renowned garment centres.

Pinklao - Nakhon Chaisi Road:
This area offers a variety of shops, including Merry Kings, Welco, and Pata located conveniently close to the southern bus terminal.

Ratchadaphisek Road :
An up-and-coming commercial district with brances of Robinson, Yaohan and Siam Jusco department of Export Promotion.

Bangkok International Airport :
Here there is an excellent choice of shops offering a full selection of Thailand's top buys.

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 silverware, lacquerware, cotton and silk, hilltribe clothing, Burmese tapestries and handpainted umbrellas. Pattaya also offers plentiful shopping for Thai goods, while virtually all other tourist centres give ample opportunity for buying gifts and souvenirs.

Shopping Advice

Fixed prices are the norm of department atores and a number of shops in Bangkok, but at most other places bargaining is acceptable and expected. Generally you can obtain a final figure of between 10 to 40 percent lower than the original asking price. There are no hard-and-fast rules for bargaining, and much depends on your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. but manners and a sense of humour, and they are put off by loud voices and loss of temper. With patience and a broad smile you will not only get a better price, you'll also enjoy shopping as an art.

generally shoppping in Thailand is easy, fun and very rewarding, but the following advice is useful especially when making gem and jewellery purchases :

• Never let a tout or a new found friend take you shopping. Stores give commisions to these people and that cost is reflected in the price you pay.
• Choose a shop carefully. With gems, for example, make sure it is a specialist in that field and not simply a general souvenir store.
• 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. Moreover, prestigious hotels generally sttract quality shops.
• Shop around to compare prices, though be sure to make comparisons between like items - - this is especially important with gems and jewellery.
• Assess ths sales assistants Do they appear knowledgeablle? Are they willing to discuss an item's bad as well as good points?
• Take your time, never let a shop assistant pressure you into a purchase.
• Reputable shops will give a written agreement to a full refund on any goods returnes to do this, go elsewhere.
• Obtain a receipt for goods bought and check it is correct before leaving the shop.
• Ultimately, yoour best guide is what you like. Don't, for example, buy gems or jewellery for the purpose of resale or investment. They may have such appreciation potential, but there are no guarantees. Shop for pleasure not for profit.

In Bangkok itself, there are downtown TAT Duty Free Shops at Mahathun Plaza, on Phloenchit Road, and on Na Phra Lan Road, opposite the Grand Palace. Both offer a wide choice of goods which can be ordered prior to departure.

Packing and Shipping Services

With shopping well established as one of Thailand's major attractions, most shops are experienced in packing and shipping goods, as well as in arranging insurance, custom premits and any other necessary documentation.

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 specialize in such matters.

Trading Opportunities

The Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, offers a permanent exhibition for buyers interested in exploring trade opportunities. Covering 4,000 metres of exhibition space, the DEP's One-Stop Export Showcase displays the dull spectrum of quality Thai goods and comprises more than 10,000 items by some 250 selected exhibitions.

DEP staff further extend a variety of free services, such as arranging appointments with manufacturers, as well as providing meeting rooms with full office facilities.

For further details, please contact the commercial attache at the Royal Thai Embassy nearest you, or the Department of Export Promotion, Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok. Tel : 511-5066-77, Fax : 512-1079, 513-1979, 513-1917, Telex : 82354 DEPEP TH.

Shoppers' Paradise

T here is more to shopping in Thailand than just acquiring a siuvenir of a visit to this golden land. The huge variety of buys, combined with high-quality workmanship and extremely competitive prices, make Thailand a veritable shoppers' paradise with an unbeatable edge over most other countries in the region, Whatever your shopping goals - - lusury purchases, decorative items for the home, a personal treasure or a truly distinctive gift - - you will find them all wonderfully fulfilled.

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