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Shopping
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
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