I’m moving to Bangkok in 6 weeks and I wondered about the availability and cost of art materials - mainly oil paints, canvasses, mediums, turpentine, linseed oil and brush cleaner etc.

 

Is it readily available?  Which brands are available?  What are the costs like?  

 

At at the moment I live in Japan and I regularly buy stuff from Amazon and Jackson’s in the UK but I understand that import duties and shipping to Thailand would be much higher than I’m currently paying.

 

Should I be stocking up and hauling it all with me?  I’m sure I can carry oil paints in my checked luggage but turpentine, mediums etc would probably not be allowed and none of that is allowed to be shipped with the company we ship with so it’s hold luggage or buy in Thailand.  I don’t mind paying for extra luggage if there is not much choice in Bangkok when I get there.  I currently use Holbein, Old Holland, Michael Harding, Williamsburg, Maimeri Puro, Schmincke, Rembrandt and Winsor and Newton.  

 

Any artists here here that can advise me about this?

 

Most Central Department Stores have an "Art" department.   I have no knowledge of name brand supplies but there is a very large "Paper Store" in Phra Khanong close to the BTS Skytrain station that has all kinds of art supplies: easels, canvases, brushes, paints ect. for low prices.  PM me for directions if interested.

You should check out B2S and use google to search for your nearest store. There's big one in Central Rama 9 that has all kinds of art supplies. Here's their website: http://www.b2s.co.th

 

 

Thanks guys....I will check them out when I get there but from what I can tell they seem more of the arts crafts type quality stuff.  I’m hoping for dedicated art stores that hold quality products for oil painting in particular. If not then I will stock up before I get there.  They might be useful for some stuff though so thanks ????

You could also check if there are shops near Silapakorn University, whch has many courses in Art. Other places to enquire are private painting/art classes, of which there are numerous but probably mostly advertised in Thai.

7 hours ago, rimmae2 said:

You could also check if there are shops near Silapakorn University, whch has many courses in Art. Other places to enquire are private painting/art classes, of which there are numerous but probably mostly advertised in Thai.

Yes I plan to do that once I get there but I was just checking if there was anyone who knew before then.  Thanks.

 

I found 1 that may be promising (Siam Art Supply) but al I can tell so far is that it has a decent amount of watercolour supplies.  No idea if they do a good selection of oil paint stuff too.

 

I’ll ask in some art forums to see if anyone lives in Bangkok there.