Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Most vendors and staff at stores speak good enough English, though non-fixed prices are often bargained by you and the vendor taking turns in typing numbers into a calculator. It's worth learning how to say the numbers in Thai - this is easy, will save the calculator routine and may well get you cheaper prices too.

Thailand, and especially Bangkok in a shopping paradise. Exotic bargains, hand crafted 24K pure gold jewellery (Thai gold is always 22-24k) silk clothing, tribal crafts, antiques, teak furniture. Thailand has long been known as a bargain hunter's paradise. The floatation of the Baht in 1997 has made it even better in many cases. Here's a list of the kinds of things you can get the best deals on, if you remember to bargain!

Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, pottery with celandine green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones (in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer ware, pewter ware, bamboo and wood artefacts and bronze ware.

Duty-free shops are located throughout the country and items can be purchased there and delivered to the airport in time for the departure flight. Value Added Tax (7%) can be refunded on goods bought in shops labelled 'VAT Refund for Tourists', where there is a minimum transaction of Baht2,000 including VAT. VAT Refund Application for Tourists forms are completed at the time of purchase and it is necessary to show one's passport. Cash refunds (minimum ฿5,000) can be obtained in the airport departure hall and often the goods purchased must also be shown. Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 1000-2100/2200.

  Thai Baht Converter

Knockoff items range from 600 THB to 10,000+ THB.

US customs allows 1 of each 'trademark'. 1 Rolex, 1 Omega, 1 Tag.

Trademark & copy righted are different. No knock off copy righted ( = software) material allowed.

Thai silk is world famous for its vibrant colours and patterns, not to mention its price. You can purchase silk in the north and northeast where its made, or you can often get it just as cheaply in Bangkok. A visit to one of the "factories" just outside of Chiang Mai is a must, although these are generally showcases for tourists and not real factories. Thai silk is commonly sold by the yard, and is available in an assortment of lovely colours, weights, thickness and patterns. One unique kind of Thai silk is called Mat Mee which is actually tie-dyed silk.

Cotton products of Thailand are produced by certain locals or tribal people. Some nice pieces are carefully embroidered using differently coloured threads.

There are loads of gorgeous pieces of jewellery that are imported from surrounding countries like Cambodia. Aside from these imported ones, Thailand also has its own mines and cutting centre for a variety of precious stones, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, etc. A lot of striking pieces of jewellery are usually on sale in markets that are scattered all over Thailand. If you have a particular design or cut in mind, you can even ask the jeweller to make a copy for you.

A deal that sounds too good to be true probably is. The "resale" value of a stone may be exaggerated. Our advice, is to determine an item's value to you and don't pay more than that. Don't consider an item's purported resale value, age or other factors.

There are also jewellery pieces that are made of pearls. Pearl farms are scattered all over Thailand but are concentrated in certain places like Ranong and Phuket.

Generally, the term "Antique" in Thailand refers to goods designed in an old or traditional style. Genuine antiques, anything more than 100 years old, requires special permission to be taken out of the country. Our advice is to ignore the purported age of an item when negotiating the price, and if the seller insists on an unreasonably high price because of an item's age, ask to see the export permit for the item from the Department of Fine Arts. If the shop-keeper says they will provide a letter saying the piece is a reproduction, then you're advised to leave the shop right away.

As is probably obvious, prices for "antiques" can be outrageous in places that cater to tourists. Don't be afraid to offer half or even a third of the initial asking price, if you think it's high. Don't be afraid to walk away if the merchant isn't coming down enough in their price, it's the quickest way to get them to change their minds!

You will find gold shops in every city. Thais, like most Asians, buy gold as a savings mechanism - sort of an alternative to banks. Because of this, the gold sold in gold shops is pure 24 karat solid gold, or at least it's supposed to be. Attempts to sell plated items as solid gold are not unknown, so it's wise to be on your guard. Pure gold is quite yellow compared to the 18 karat gold that is more common for jewellery in the west. The colour alone is not to everyone's taste. Add to that pure gold's inherent softness, which can make pieces difficult to maintain and frequently in need of repair, and you have reason to consider whether or not pure gold jewellery is right for you. While the workmanship of gold items can be quite fine, it accounts for nothing when it's sold. The price of an item is based solely on its weight. The unit of measurement for the sale of gold is the Baht, the same as the currency. One Baht weight of gold is 15 grams, a tiny bit less than half an ounce. Most gold shops will have their buying and selling rates posted outside the shop. Keep in mind, the price of gold can vary from day to day.

Shopping for older or antique pieces which make exquisite gifts and souvenirs. You'll find silver shops throughout Thailand, and several "factories" outside of Chiang Mai where you can find just about anything you can imagine in silver. Most silver jewellery and almost all place settings, frames, trays, etc. are sterling silver, often labelled "925" meaning they are made of 92.5% pure silver. Some jewellery items as well as buttons on traditional style costumes are made with an "old" silver, which is a traditional method yielding a lower silver content. Such items are usually easy to recognize as they lack the lustre of sterling, sometimes coming close to pewter in colour and finish.

Thailand is also known for different ceramic products and pottery that bear elaborate designs. These products come in different colours, shapes and sizes all throughout the kingdom. This country produces sea green Celadon and the Benjarong style porcelain that exhibit up to five colours.

Leather items can also be found in abundance, especially in tourist areas. Prices are competitive and quality is usually quite good.

Handbags, backpacks, wallets, purses, briefcases and suitcases in just about every size and style can be purchased in markets throughout the Thailand for a small fraction of the price you might pay elsewhere. Its quite easy to pick up a good backpack suitable for use as a catch-all/camera bag in your travels for less than US$5.00

Thailand is a major clothing manufacturer and exporter. A wide range of garments are made, from "K-mart specials" to designer goods. Locally made goods will usually be much cheaper than imported name brand items, although not as cheap as the many no-name products available.

When buying clothing designed mainly for the local market, you will need to keep in mind that, although Thai clothing is usually sized according to the US system of 'S' for small, 'M' for medium and so on, these sizes generally run one size smaller than their standard American usage. Keep an eye out for "xport Shops" or "XL for Men". These are effectively small outlet shops where, curiously, most of the items are made in Cambodia. You may not find much selection, but you will find name brands such as Old Navy, Eddie Baur and Izod.

Stalls and stores that sell different clothing items are scattered all over the city like flea markets, street vendors, hypermarkets, and leading department stores. Prices range from the most affordable to the middle range and up to the luxurious ones. Some international label brands even have factories in Thailand where the actual products are sewn. If you feel that you cannot find what you're looking for, then head to the nearest tailor and have the clothes custom made.

Tailor shops also abound in just about every tourist area of Thailand. You can have shirts, suits, dresses or whatever you can imagine made to order, and often ready within 24 hours. Be wary of shops touted by taxi drivers, etc. They're almost never very good. Another tip is to avoid places offering deals too good to be true, such as a suit for US$25. Cotton has increased greatly in popularity recently. There are traditional patterns of woven coloured thread as well as many variations on the popular "raw" weaves that are useful for jackets and upholstery.

Traditional Thai houses are made of wood, so the Thais have developed wood carving to a high art. Wood carvings are delightful. The detailed carvings done on pieces of furniture are enough proof of the expertise and talent of the different craftsmen. Wood crafts come in the form of huge and bulky furniture, wooden animals, wooden palaces or temples, etc. Some pieces of furniture are made of rosewood, rattan, bamboo, etc. These wooden crafts can be custom made and some shops like the ones in Bangkok and Chiang Mai can even ship to other countries.

This traditional craft has evolved with the times, although old style goods are still widely available. Some of the nicest Thai items are those with mother of pearl inlaid in the black lacquer. Chiang-Mai is known for its attractive lacquer ware. This particular handicraft is produced by coating bamboo or other kind of wood with lacquer. Designs are usually hand painted on the item following linear and tribal designs. The usual colour combinations for lacquer ware are yellow and green on reddish brown lacquer or gold on black. Favourite lacquer ware items are usually trays, sauce dishes, and bowls among others. The modern variations include bright metallic finishes that can make a simple piece the focal point of a room.

A lot of the world's best orchid variety can be found in Thailand. Thai orchids come in various colours and sizes. Transportation is not a problem. Orchids can be packed in portable water containers. A lot of flower shops offer these to tourists and it is possible to purchase Thai orchids at the airport.

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