Real estate in Thailand is becoming increasingly popular for people from all over the world. Most of those who come to the Kingdom buy or rent a house in Bangkok. Foreigners come here to chill , work, study, and go sightseeing or shopping. Almost everyone leaves the city with a buy because shopping in the Thai capital has become such an attraction. The goods are of high quality, the prices are low, and traders are always open to negotiation.
Content:
- What Can I buy in Bangkok?
- Where to Buy?
- Other Bangkok Markets
- Shopping Complexes in Bangkok
- Tax Refunds
- Sales in Bangkok in 2023
What Can I buy in Bangkok?
There are many opportunities for shopping in the city There are street stalls with cheap goods where you can bargain, boutiques with expensive items, where sometimes you can also bargain ; and large shopping malls with multitudes of shops and stores . Some of the most popular items from Bangkok:
- cottons and silks — fabrics made in Thailand. A wide variety of these are made in the Kingdom and sold in the capital. Silk scarves, shawls, linens, dresses, robes, curtains, and pajamas are particularly popula. Prices for natural silks start at 1,000 baht (about $30);
- coconut oil for hair and skin care. A 50 ml gift bottle costs 50-60 baht (about $1.5-2), and prices for 250 ml bottles start at 180 baht (just over $5);
- 'Crystal' natural deodorant is a solid volcanic It impedes the smell of sweat but does not clog pores. A single application can last up to 72 hours. The crystal lasts for a year and a half. Prices vary depending on the size of the stone. The starting price is 30-50 baht ($1-1.5);
- you can buy diamonds, emeralds, and star rubies from Burma in Bangkok at surprisingly low prices. Buying jewellery in large stores is safer because, unlike market vendors, the store will refund your money if you suddenly discover the product is fake. Smaller shops may offer stones of dubious quality, for example, they may sell a garnet as a ruby. The price of jewellery depends on the kind of stones and metal used and how skilfully it's made.
Where to Buy?
There are shopping centres all over the Thai capital. Many are in places packed with tourists, such as the Silom district. This neighbourhood has many stores, shops, boutiques, fashion houses, Robinson's Shopping Center, and other shopping complexes.
On New Road, you'll find the City Shopping Complex and Oriental Plaza malls selling jewellery, clothing, and paintings.
Patpong Street, which intersects Silom Street and Surawong Road, becomes the hub of all shopping in Bangkok from 5 PM, as the Patpong Night Market opens here. Workers assemble steel section counters and run lighting in them two hours before the beginning. The Bazaar operates until midnight, and really comes alive after 11:00 PM. At this time, crowds of buyers begin to thin out, and by haggling you can get prices right down.
Chinatown, on one of the main streets in the Yowarat neighbourhood, is home to many Chinese people. More than 130 jewellery stores sell mainly gold there. That's why many call this street the Golden Road. The store facades beam vibrant reds and golds. Almost all the stores in this area are members of the Gold Traders Association, so the quality of goods is strictly monitored.
There are also several bazaars in the area:
- Talat Khao — centrе for exotic Chinese restaurant delicacies;
- Sampeng — offers a large selection of fabrics;
- Khlong Tom — an electronics and household appliance market.
Most of the stores and bazaars in Chinatown are open late, seven days a week.
Other Bangkok Markets
- Chatuchak Bazaar is one of the largest in the world. Its area is 141,640 square meters. The market has more than 15,000 stalls and stores. About 200,000 people visit the bazaar every day to spend 30 million baht ($887,000).
- Phakhurat Bombay (Phakhurat Bombay) is located in the neighbourhood where the Thai capital's Indian national minority lives. The market sells fabrics, clothes, spices, curtains, tassels, and buttons at good prices. As the city's spice center, Phakhurat Bombay always smells of curry, nutmeg, and paprika.
- Pratunam is one of the city's best centres for clothes sold in surrounding boutiques and shops. The market is located on Ratchaprapha and Phetchaburi Road. Alongside tailors sewing bespoke on the spot, the bazaar deals in textiles. You can buy goods at retail and small or large wholesale lots.
- The Bo Be market sells clothing wholesale and retail. The bazaar is located along Krung Kasem Road. When you're spending money, don't forget to haggle!
- The "Thieves Market" offers a wide range of musical instruments, electronics, antiques, and art products: Thai and Chinese porcelain, furniture with mother-of-pearl inlays, and much more. The market operates on a commission basis. The bazaar got its name when it traded in stolen goods. Now, however, more vintage and second-hand items which have not been stolen but brought for sale by their owners
Shopping Complexes in Bangkok
There are many large shopping malls in the Thai capital. Siam Paragon, Gaysorn, Central World Plaza, Emporium, and Erawan have almost every brand of shoes, clothes, cosmetics, and accessories. Goods are sold at very reasonable prices. Moreover, all shopping centres have regular sales with discounts up to 70%.
Tax Refunds
After shopping in Bangkok, foreign nationals can get 7% of sales tax refunded. To get a refund, you need a Tax-Free check. It is issued for all one-off purchases of 2,000 baht ($60) or more. All receipts together must amount to more than 5000 baht ($148) to get a VAT refund when you leave the Kingdom.
There are other conditions relating to VAT refunds:
- You have to be non-resident in Thailand. If you have Thai citizenship, the money will not be refunded;
- You cannot be an employee of any airline;
- You must leave the country through one of the international airports;
- Purchases must have been made within 60 days of claiming a refund.
Before you drop off your luggage and check in, the customs officer at the airport will stamp all of your Tax-Free receipts. If you purchased items worth more than 8000-10,000 baht ($236-296), the officer orders you to show the purchased items. You do not need to unpack purchases for this. After stamping the receipts, at the end of check-in and passport control, go to the VAT Refund counters in the departure area to receive your refund.
Cash is not paid for refunds in excess of 30,000 baht ($887). It will be redeemed by direct transfer to a bank card or by cheque. You will be charged a fee of 100 baht ($3) for the document processing service. It will be deducted from the amount of tax refunded.
Sales in Bangkok in 2023
The city shopping malls have sales on Chinese and European New Year's Eve and before other public holidays.
Restaurants, cafes, spas, and museums as well as shops and stores will participate in the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale. It takes place from June 15 to August 15, 2023. On top of 50-80% fixed discounts during the grand sale, you can get vouchers, special gifts, discount cards, and take part in 'buy one, get one free' promotions.