Shopping in Thailand

There is something for everyone, no matter how deep or shallow your pocket may be!

Shopping in Thailand is as much part of a Thai holiday as sun baking on a beach or experiencing spicy food in exotic restaurants in Thailand. You can see what the local shopping scene is like in the destinations below:

- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Koh Samui
- Pattaya
- Phuket
- Sukhothai

Thailand Shopping Guide

Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia's most popular shopping places. You find not only Thailand's well-known host of unique handicrafts, but also a superb choice of luxury buys. All items are distinguished by fine Thai workmanship and modern technological skills.

The variety of what to buy is fully matched by an exciting choice of where to buy from. From the ease of modern air conditioned shopping plazas and department stores to the traditional markets and street stalls, there is every scope for both the browser and the dedicated bargain-hunter.

In addition, in Bangkok, which naturally offers the greatest wealth of shopping opportunities, other cities and resorts provide excellent scope, notably for regional handicrafts, such as woodcarving and other typical northern handicrafts in Chiang Mai, or nielloware products in the southern city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Traditional Handicrafts in Thailand

Thailand is renowned for its traditional handicrafts. Produced in variety of designs, these make not only ideal souvenirs, but are also perfect for home decoration.

Royal Crafts in Thailand

No finer examples of craftsmanship can be found then those produced under royal patronage. In 1976, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit sought a way both to give rural Thais alternative sources of income and to revive some of the Kingdom's traditional crafts. The result was the establishment of the Foundation for Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques, popularly known as SUPPORT. The project has flourished and today craftsmen working under SUPPORT guidance produce a wonderfully rich collection of many kinds of traditional handicrafts.

Among items available are exquisite hand-woven silks, including the famous tie-dyed mat mee silks of the Northeast, elegant yan liphao woven handbags, Thai cottons and many other reasonably priced souvenirs. These SUPPORT handicrafts can be purchased from the Foundation's chain of exclusive outlets, known as Chitrlada Shops, and all proceeds go to the on-going development of the project.

Rattan and Wicker Work in Thailand

Thailand has earned a fine reputation for its high quality rattan and wicker furniture. Both elegant and durable, these items are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. Decorative objects in rattan and wicker work display an excellent standard of workmanship, and are ideal for lending a light tropical touch to any interior decor.

Nielloware in Thailand

Practised in southern Thailand for hundreds of years, nielloware is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with delicate designs filled with a metal alloy. Workmanship of high quality today finds expression in a number of beautiful nielloware trays, boxes, vases and other items widely available in Bangkok and in the South, notably in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Brass & Bronzeware in Thailand

Shoppers have long recognised the excellent value of made-in-Thailand brass and bronze-ware. Techniques combine traditional methods with modern innovations, such as silicon coating to prevent tarnishing, while designs similarly reflect both the old and the new. Especially popular are fine cutlery sets, bowls and other tableware, as well as brass sculptures of figures and animals in classical and contemporary styles.

Lacqueware in Thailand

Very Oriental and very attractive are lacquer ware bowls, boxes, tray and numerous other items for interior decoration or for souvenirs. Native to Chiang Mai and the North, the craft involves coating split bamboo or wood with lacquer, then adding intricate hand-painted designs. Typically, objects are produced in either gold-on-black lacquer or yellow and green on a red-brown background.

Silverware in Thailand

Silver-beating is another craft traditional to Chiang Mai. Bowls and boxes with skillfully worked patterns are popular buys, while vases and other ornaments in both old and modern designs are available particularly in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Phanom but also in Bangkok and else where.

Pewterware in Thailand

Like silver, pewter is fashioned with great skill by Thai craftsmen, and the smooth, silky finish of this attractive alloy is often enhanced by delicate decoration. Among pewter ware items are plates, boxes, vases and pocket flasks.

Ceramics in Thailand

Pottery of consistently high artistic value has been produced throughout the Thai history. Various styles, both indigenous and Chinese-influenced, have predominated at various periods to leave a rich legacy. So today's shopper is presented with a full choice of both faithful reproductions of traditional styles and modern wares. Among the former are the distinctive sea-green celadons, Chinese blue-and-white and the colourful Bencharong wares, which are unique to Thailand.

Modern ceramics are also produced in an exciting range of contemporary designs which exemplify the continued vitality of the craft. Whether old or new in style, Thai ceramics are available in many forms, from dinner services and bowls to vases and lamp bases, from small figurines to huge glazed water jars perfect for garden decoration.

Fabulous Fabrics in Thailand

The Orient has always been famous for its textiles, and Thailand in particular, has a rich tradition of producing fine hand-woven fabrics. Best known is Thai silk, which enjoys worldwide renown and is perhaps the most popular of all the Kingdom's shopping treasures, but cotton and batik are also available.

Silk in Thailand

Produced in countless colours and eye-caching designs, Thai silk has traditionally been used for clothing, and is sold both by the length and as ready-to-wear garments. With enhanced production in recent years, Thai silk is also now produced in heavier weights ideal for draperies, upholstery and other household furnishing. Additionally, the rich fabric is further used for place mats and napkins, neckties, scarves and other accessories, as well as exquisite coverings for a whole range of souvenirs from jewellery boxes to notebooks.

Mat Mee Silk in Thailand

A unique style of Thai silk, known as Mat Mee, is a handicraft traditional to the northeast region of the country. Produced from tie-dyed silk threads, the fabric is hand-woven in a variety of beautiful designs, typically distinguished by intricate patterns and subtle colours.

Once a neglected craft, Mat Mee silk has been revitalised in recent years through rural development projects initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. Today, Mat Mee enjoys an unprecedented vogue as a fashion material favored by Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family.

Cotton & Batik in Thailand

Thai cotton has gained an enormous reputation over recent years and is today as famous and as popular as silk. A fabric of fine texture and durable quality, Thai cotton is produced in a broad range of colours, prints and embroidered designs, and is found in a wide variety of goods from clothing to bedspreads, table linen, cushion covers, rugs, bags and more.

Notable among cottons products are hill tribe handicrafts and batik designs. Woven in traditional patterns by the tribal people of the North and typically displaying bold designs and often lavish embroidery, hill tribe cottons make and especially attractive buy. Difference in style but equally distinctive are original batiks crafted at several studios in Bangkok.

Gems in Thailand

Bangkok offers many opportunities to purchase polished gems. Rubies and sapphires are indigenous stones, but virtually all coloured gems, as well as, increasingly, diamonds, are also available. Shoppers should exercise caution and know what they are looking for. Remember, there are no bargains in the gem business, or so few as to be negligible - good and cheap simply don't go together when it comes to precious stones. But what the careful shopper can expect is excellent value for money.

Jewellery in Thailand

Jewellery-making facilities have expanded rapidly in recent years, and today Thailand ranks as the world's second biggest jewellery exporter. Cutting skills are matched by creative flair in jewellery design and setting, affording the shopper a splendid choice of quality items in a wide price range. Alternatively, many leading jewellers will also accept commissions for custom-made pieces. In addition to jewellery, gemstone pictures and other decorative items are to be found.

Gold in Thailand

Good and inexpensive craftsmanship, combined with standard gold prices, make Thai gold articles of excellent value. Handcrafted chains, bracelets, earrings, pendants and other articles are all widely available at the many specialist gold shops in Bangkok, as well as at jewellery stores.

Art in Thailand

Fine art has been produced in Thailand since the birth of the nation, while the Kingdom's neighbors similarly have a rich tradition of creating exquisite artworks. Modern art also flourishes today, and both the collector and the occasional shopper will discover plenty to catch the eye.

Antiques in Thailand

Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys. If you spend the time to look around and shop wisely it is possible to find items of museum quality. There is an export ban on certain pieces, while some others require an export license, but any reputable dealer will advise on restrictions and any necessary documentation.

There are many quality antique shops around Bangkok, but the greatest concentration is found at River City Shopping Complex, on New Road, where there is also an antiques auction on the first Saturday of every month.

Paintings in Thailand

The Thai art scene is vibrant and there are numerous shops offering original works by local artists. Subjects range from renderings of classical temple mural and manuscript paintings to landscapes, typical Thai scenes and contemporary works of high aesthetic value. Art lovers should also remember that local framing is inexpensive and of high quality.

In addition to several art galleries around Bangkok, exhibitions are held regularly at various leading hotels and other notable venues. For details, check the "What's On" column of the local English language newspapers.

Clothing & Accessories in Thailand

Clothing presents many excellent buys, both men and women's fashions off-the-peg and tailor made. A whole range of accessories are also to be found, especially leather goods which offer particularly good value for money.

Ready-To-Wear Clothtes in Thailand

Thailand is one of the world's leading manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing, producing garments not only for local shops and department stores but also for export markets. The staple of this booming business was formerly T-shirts and jeans, but while these still offer good value, product lines now include a whole range of fashions which meet international standards of workmanship and design originality. Fashion boutiques are found in every shopping mall, while cheaper clothing is available from the street stalls.

Custom Tailoring in Thailand

Tailor-made clothing in Thailand is as affordable and as easy as buying off the peg. There are literally thousands of establishments, small and large, which can produce the perfect fit in virtually whatever style you want in just a few days or even hours. Tailors may suggest patterns or copy any you care to provide, and you can choose from a wide selection of materials, both locally-made and imported.

Dolls & Toys in Thailand

The art of doll-making in Thailand dates back hundreds of years and remains very much alive today. Doll collectors will delight in a broad assortment of detailed and beautifully crafted figures of classical dancers in full costume, hill tribe people in their traditional colourful dress and rural folk. For children, there is a variety of soft cuddly toys, manufactured according to the strictest international safety requirement.

Leather Goods in Thailand

Complementing Thailand's clothing industry is an extensive production of quality leather goods. Renowned for their durability and beautiful designs are shoes, either ready made or made-to-order, leather jackets, belts, handbags, briefcases, luggage, wallets and a host of other accessories. Specialist leather shops and street stalls, offer a staggering variety of products at very attractive prices.

Flower & Fun Buys in Thailand

Not least in Thailand's shopping kaleidoscope are a host of pleasure and fun buys, ranging from fabulous fresh orchids to artificial flowers, toys and an array of inexpensive items found on market stalls.

Orchids in Thailand

Thailand is blessed with a huge variety of orchids. Through meticulous cross-breeding, plants previously found only in their natural forest habitat have been domesticated and now more than a thousand species are available from specialist orchid farms. Magnificent colours and durable beauty make orchids a very popular purchase. Specially packaged flowers, complete with water supply, are easily transported and long retain their freshness and beauty. Orchids may be bought at many shops in Bangkok and at Bangkok International Airport.

Artificial Flowers in Thailand

With nimble fingers and a sure eye for beauty, Thais are adept at producing superb artificial plants and flowers. In what is a rapidly growing export industry, a wonderful variety of faithful replicas and original imaginative creations are available. All are entirely hand-made and relatively inexpensive, and make splendid items for home decoration.