Thaidocomo.com - Bangkok

January 6, 2009 10:27 pm GMT+7

Shopping in Bangkok A visit to Thailand would not be complete without lingering for a few hours in one of its many streetside shopping areas or its vast outdoor markets. Shopping at these no-frills, out-of-the-boutique locations are a must for two reasons: Not only does it give you a more intimate portrait of the country and its people, but with a little searching and a touch of bargaining you can find fantastic values on a wealth of exotic items to carry home as gifts. Thanks to Thailand's diverse culture, a surplus of labour and it current economy, Thailand offers excellent values on jewellery, silk, handicrafts, clothing and antiques. Roadside shopping is plentiful in Bangkok, it's hard not to find a street rich with bargains, especially when you visit the tourist areas along Sukhumvit Road, shop near the riverside hotels, or stroll the favoured gathering place of backpackers, Khaosan Road,Yet a truly exciting experience lies in store for the more adventurous minded. Bringing hundreds of vendors from around the country to one spot are the day markets; the most famous being the enormous Chatuchak weekend market. This labyrinth-like indoor and outdoor shopping mecca attracts thousands of shoppers every Saturday and Sunday. It offers the chance to buy just about everything: from traditional Thai clothing to the trendiest designs; from antiques collect around Asia to the top craftsmanship of the Kingdom's finest artists. If you're looking for a tiny silver trinket or a full-grown parrot as a keepsake of your trip, Chatuchak offers it all on its 30-acre plot of land on Paholyothin Road. It's the rare shopper who won't go home with his arms laden with packages after visiting this truly overwhelming market.
	Shopping in Thailand is as convenient as dining out. You can shop till you drop from day to night. Although the upscale malls are only open until 10 or 11pm, there are night markets that blossom when the weather cools down after dark. The liveliest and most famous among visitors to Bangkok is the Patpong night market. It is spread along Soi Patpong, known for its freewheeling night-club scene, and part of Silom Road in the business district. Since Thailand's economic crisis, many tourists take advantage of purchasing brand name goods in Bangkok's decidedly upscale department stores. Tourists from China, Japan and the West flock to shopping malls to pick up cosmetics, designer goods and other luxury items made in the US,Italy, France at a subs-tantial savings. High end designer boutiques, including Prada, Ralph Lauren and Gucci can be found in several of the city's upmarket malls.
The best way to visit most of Bangkok's best shopping centres by riding the "Skytrain", the city's elevated railway.Beginning at the Siam Interchange, the Skytrain's first stop is at Siam Discover and Siam Centre, two malls favoured by Bangkok's young and trendy. The next stop, Chidlom Station, brings you to a wealth of shopping, including the Chidlom Branch of Central Department Store,Gaysorn Plaza - a very sophisticated mall that offers finer Thai handicrafts and antiques(at a price), and Isetan and Sogo Department Stores located within the World Trade Centre one of the largest shopping centres in the city. Just around the corner from the World Trade Centre is Pantip Plaza, not only the home of everything related to computer and electronics in Thailand, but in famous for its profusion of pirated software, music and movies.

Last, but not least, is the stop at Prompong station and The Emporium shopping centre. This ultraaffluent mall is famous for it designer boutiques and a profusion of luxury items to challenge even the most well-padded chequebook. The mall is also home to several restaurants, some of the best book and record stores in the city, and a fifth floor filled with cafes selling both local and international foods, which makes The Emporium a favourite among many expats.