Big C now cheaper than expat shops

[ronnie50]

18 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Lotus is actually cheaper than Big C. The latter is not all that cheap, especially for expat food.

Lotus's is cheaper for some things, that's true - and they have good fresh veg. But their selection, in general, of almost everything else is inferior to Big C and that change happened after the handover from Tesco Lotus. Now the aisles are filled mostly with tetrapak UHT drinks.  I used to go to Tesco Lotus quite regularly, but Lotus's I've given up on. Big C was smart to keep some of the products that Carefour used to sell (even if not that brand name - similar items from Europe like cheese and other things).

[scubascuba3]

31 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

You can try it on toast if you like, but it is in all sorts of Thai food.

maybe too salty for toast, only time i had it was while have noodle soup, using chillies to dip in the paste

[cjinchiangrai]

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

maybe too salty for toast, only time i had it was while have noodle soup, using chillies to dip in the paste

That is not shrimp paste, that is some sort of nahm prik sauce. Shrinp paste is pretty solid and is used as an ingredient in cooking. 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, cjinchiangrai said:

That is not shrimp paste, that is some sort of nahm prik sauce. Shrinp paste is pretty solid and is used as an ingredient in cooking. 

Definitely not a sauce, was a shrimp paste, standard to leave it by the chillies, similar to the photo

[cjinchiangrai]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Definitely not a sauce, was a shrimp paste, standard to leave it by the chillies, similar to the photo

That's the stuff. Can't imagine using it as dip. Yuck!

[scubascuba3]

3 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

That's the stuff. Can't imagine using it as dip. Yuck!

i saw the Thais doing it so tried it

[still kicking]

On 8/8/2025 at 3:46 PM, VocalNeal said:

What products do the expats stock that BigC do not?  Pay a bit extra to ensure the expats shops stay open with those non BigC items.🤔

 

Saving 90baht a year on Marmite wouldn't worry me.😋

 

Nah, I don't buy sho polisch.

[KhunLA]

On 8/8/2025 at 2:42 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Big C has always been cheaper on most items. 

I always found the 'expat' shops to be silly overpriced, for everything.

[cjinchiangrai]

11 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I always found the 'expat' shops to be silly overpriced, for everything.

Yep! Love the selection at Topps but wow, the prices are crazy. Just joined Makro, we will see, but it is still a two hour drive so not our regular store.

[CallumWK]

3 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

Yep! Love the selection at Topps but wow, the prices are crazy. Just joined Makro, we will see, but it is still a two hour drive so not our regular store.

 

Tops is not an expat shop in the sense the ones subject to this topic. Makro doesn't have expat products, in fact, lately their selection of Thai products is also pretty limited.

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

one day you'll make a half decent post, have to eventually, even a monkey would

So, that means it was true, as the screws really sat in on that one. Keep turning

[Gottfrid]

5 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

That is not shrimp paste, that is some sort of nahm prik sauce. Shrinp paste is pretty solid and is used as an ingredient in cooking. 

Yes, it is

[Cameroni]

6 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Lotus's is cheaper for some things, that's true - and they have good fresh veg. But their selection, in general, of almost everything else is inferior to Big C and that change happened after the handover from Tesco Lotus. Now the aisles are filled mostly with tetrapak UHT drinks.  I used to go to Tesco Lotus quite regularly, but Lotus's I've given up on. Big C was smart to keep some of the products that Carefour used to sell (even if not that brand name - similar items from Europe like cheese and other things).

 

Yah, that's true, it depends on the items and obviously Big C has the better selection. I prefer Tops for shopping or Rimping because they have all the expat food, but it costs an arm and a leg.

[jacko45k]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I always found the 'expat' shops to be silly overpriced, for everything.

Used to be good for cheese, and of mushy or marrowfat peas. Many items that were readily available in  say Big-C were a bit more expensive. The ones that remain nowadays are too far out of the way for me. 

[EVENKEEL]

12 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

Tops is not an expat shop in the sense the ones subject to this topic. Makro doesn't have expat products, in fact, lately their selection of Thai products is also pretty limited.

You mean your Makro doesn't, the one in Patts certainly does.

[CallumWK]

18 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

You mean your Makro doesn't, the one in Patts certainly does.

 

Give an example of what you understand under expat products, which are available in Makro

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Give an example of what you understand under expat products, which are available in Makro

French's mustard, Mainland Cheddar, HP sauce .......

[CallumWK]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

French's mustard, Mainland Cheddar, HP sauce .......

 

If that is your idea about expat foods, then I rest my case lol

[EVENKEEL]

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Give an example of what you understand under expat products, which are available in Makro

Huge display of cheeses, cold cuts for starters. I'm a simple man who doesn't require too much western products. I don't shop in Patts but in nearby Makro.

 

For beef I go to an expat shop for proven, always the same quality steak and minced thai beef.

[KhunLA]

40 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

You mean your Makro doesn't, the one in Patts certainly does.

Same with Hua Hin Makro, and even Pranburi, though HH is better.

[LennyW]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

French's mustard, Mainland Cheddar, HP sauce .......

Tops and Makro HP Sauce is twice the price of expat shops!! 

[trainman34014]

On 8/8/2025 at 3:03 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Not tea bags, way more expensive

Nope; just been reduced in my Big C !

[piston broke]

On 8/8/2025 at 2:34 PM, scubascuba3 said:

for example Marmite 250g, Big C 209 baht Expat shop 299 baht 

 

Daddies Brown sauce 400ml, Big C 109 baht expat shop 149 baht

 

Cheers for the heads up - was about to go to the "expat shop" at the Avenue and buy some marmite ...

[piston broke]

On 8/8/2025 at 2:46 PM, VocalNeal said:

What products do the expats stock that BigC do not?  Pay a bit extra to ensure the expats shops stay open with those non BigC items.🤔

 

Saving 90baht a year on Marmite wouldn't worry me.😋

 

 

i use one jar a month ..... 

[piston broke]

On 8/8/2025 at 4:08 PM, phetphet said:

A thin smear on toast is recommended. My Jar easily lasts a year. I don't have it every day.

 

i have had marmite every day for the last 60 years .....

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

Nope; just been reduced in my Big C !

Which one and what price? Siamburi's sells Typhoo one cup 100 for 119 baht , maybe cheaper online, others available

[jacko45k]

22 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

You mean your Makro doesn't, the one in Patts certainly does.

Aren't there 2 in Patts?

[EVENKEEL]

29 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Aren't there 2 in Patts?

I've only been to the one on Suk, never been to the one on North Pattaya. 

[phetphet]

15 hours ago, piston broke said:

 

i have had marmite every day for the last 60 years .....

Wow!

[Jim Blue]

16 hours ago, piston broke said:

 

i have had marmite every day for the last 60 years .....

You never thought of changing ?