Buzz
Just back from a trip to Thailand with my friends, I want to share my experience with everyone, especially to answer questions like: where to shop, what to buy as gifts... to make your trip fun and complete.
My most recent trip to Thailand. Source: NVCC
Before the trip
I simply travel, so I only need to shop for gifts for my family, not for trading, so the amount of money I bring is about 6 million dong, of which I exchange 4 million dong for Thai baht and 2 million for USD.
>>>You can refer more here: 3 Golden Principles Related to Money When Traveling.
Prepare flat shoes, you will see how convenient it is for you when traveling. If you just want to shop, my advice for you is to exercise: walk, run, play sports a few days before departure to prepare physically, I'm not exaggerating, if not you will be very tired.
If you want to buy a lot of goods, pay attention to your luggage weight. If necessary, buy more from the beginning, avoid having to spend extra fees at the airport. Or to save more, you can contact a unit specializing in transporting goods from Thailand to Vietnam, which is quite reasonable.
My Shopping Journey
During the four days exploring Thailand, I mainly indulged in Bangkok and Pattaya. Our group also passed through several traditional markets and floating markets, but the guide advised us not to buy goods at these places, just stroll around or buy food, because they are all Chinese goods sold to Chinese people at high prices. Save your shopping for when you return to Bangkok.
Pattaya Floating Market, Thailand. Source: NVCC
Enjoying Thai Mango Sticky Rice. Source: NVCC
A soap stall at the local market. Source: NVCC
Back to Bangkok. Source: Internet
Yes, I can affirm that for shopping alone, just go to Bangkok. I say this because Bangkok is the commercial center of Thailand, where all goods produced are transported to Bangkok and then distributed nationwide and exported abroad.
A quite interesting point shared by a Thai-Vietnamese tour guide: 'Thai goods are divided into 3 grades based on quality, where grades 1 and 2 are for domestic consumption, grade 3 is for export, meaning that good quality goods are kept by Thai people for use before being exported. So when you shop in Thailand, it's different from buying Thai goods abroad.'
Because our group did not travel on the weekend, we could not visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market, but instead we went shopping in the bustling center of Bangkok.
Our group divided into 3 teams, shopping at 3 locations: Central World, Pratunam Market, and Big C. I chose to go to Big C because I couldn't keep up with the ladies hunting for items at Pratunam Market and also didn't need to go to Central World.
On the left is Central World, on the right is Big C. Source: NVCC
Don't underestimate Big C (Super Center), Big C Bangkok is located opposite Central World, extremely spacious, I spent 3 hours there and still didn't finish exploring. This is where Thai people buy daily necessities. I came here to find snacks for friends to buy and a few small items as gifts. The prices are not expensive, with 100 to 200 baht (about 70,000 to 140,000 VND) you can buy many items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, and snacks are much cheaper.
This is the cute little elephant I bought as a gift, she costs 20 baht. Source: NVCC
Adding a few fruit soap bars for only 100 baht for 6 bars. Source: NVCC
Thai oil is the top choice for buying gifts for adults. Source: NVCC
Milo Cubes and banana cakes are the two items that friends asked me to buy the most. Source: NVCC
The result after my shopping trip, all food. Source: NVCC
And the long, thick receipt, twice the size of mine. Source: NVCC
You can refer to the items I chose to buy as gifts. Note, for soap items, do not use them for washing, but put them in your wardrobe, shoes, books, they will smell great. These items are very popular in Thailand, but the prices vary, my friends shared with me that soap and oil at wholesale markets are even cheaper.
Places for those who come to Thailand just for shopping
Perhaps I mentioned the wholesale market too much. If you are healthy and eager to hunt for good bargains, you should go to the wholesale market in Bangkok. There are three places I want to introduce to you:
Chatuchak Weekend Market: is the most famous shopping place in Bangkok, located in Chinatown, when you come here, you must determine clearly from the beginning what you need to buy, otherwise you can easily get 'lost' in the maze of Chatuchak market. This market is only open on weekends from 8 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, if you travel to Thailand on weekends, don't miss Chatuchak!
Chatuchak Night Market in the Chinese area. Source: Internet
Strolling and shopping at Chatuchak. Source: Internet
Pratunam Market: Walk through the entire Central World area, to the left, you will see an old apartment building, if you don't see the sign 'Pratunam Market' you won't guess that it is a bustling 24/7 market in Bangkok. If you don't go to Chatuchak on the right day, Pratunam is the second choice. Here you can find all the items you need to buy, from clothes, shoes, accessories, home decorations, from used items to new items, from grade 1 to grade 3, so look at the goods carefully to avoid buying something you don't like.
A favorite shopping destination for the ladies in the group. Source: Internet
A clothing store in Pratunam Market. Source: Internet
Platinum Fashion Mall: This is where workers, housewives, and students in Thailand come to shop. This center is famous for its beautiful and trendy fashion items. If you buy in large quantities, you will get a big discount. Platinum organizes goods by zone, so you can search more easily.
Platinum Fashion Mall is located in the bustling area of Bangkok. Source: Internet
Platinum is always crowded with visitors. Source: Internet
>>> Wholesale shopping tips: Most items here are cheap, but if you buy 3 items, it will be cheaper, and if you buy more than 10 items, the price will be even lower. So, buy 1 or 2 items from wholesale sellers, you will get a very good price for your item
At the three above locations, you will easily recognize the Vietnamese people here, they come here to buy goods for trading. Ask them if you can't find a stall selling the item you need.
Shopping areas worth visiting
Central World: As mentioned above, Central World gathers hundreds of world-famous brands, but with higher prices than in the US. In this rectangular paradise, you will be quite overwhelmed when stepping in for the first time. Clothes, accessories, furniture, electronics... you can find them all at Central World. Moreover, this shopping center also has many Food court stalls, where you can enjoy a meal, which is quite attractive.
Central World Bangkok. Source: NVCC
MBK Center: With over a hundred dining outlets and cinemas, along with hundreds of fashion, electronics, cosmetics... stores, MBK Center offers a wide variety, welcoming over 200,000 visitors every day. Most Thai people come here to enjoy food and watch movies, so I advise you, this is not the place to shop for good bargains.
MBK Center Bangkok. Source: Internet
Siam Paragon: Considered the pride of bustling Bangkok, the paradise of luxurious high-end brands, that's what Thai people say about Siam Paragon. This 5-story complex shopping center also has a cinema with a capacity of over 1000 seats, a movie ticket + popcorn + drink combo will cost you more than 1 million VND. Therefore, in my opinion, Siam Paragon is more suitable for sightseeing.
Siam Paragon, the pride of Bangkok. Source: Internet
Above are some of my shopping experiences in Thailand, hoping to make your trip to Thailand more complete and please contribute more interesting places in Bangkok to the travel community.
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