Shopping In Thailand.

[Suzanna]

i read about chatuchak....

i have plan to go there this July...

anyone can share info/xperience/ tips with me?

[backflip]

Wear comfortable shoes, get there early, don't pay retail.

[sbk]

Go early, by 1pm it is packed solid. Be prepared to bargain. Enjoy, its great fun if you get there before the crowds.

[lazeeboy]

for clothes i tind pratunam to be cheaper and less busy .

[Suzanna]

tq..

sound good...

[ade100]

Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you’ll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.

Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It’s great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.

[Suzanna]

Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you'll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.

Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It's great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.

tq...

wanna b my thai friends...?

[makavelithedon]

Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you’ll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.

Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It’s great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.

Can't agree Ade. They are just not good at haggling. Tried it a number of times with different friends- they ask in Thai for a little discount, the salesperson drops a little and they capitulate. Furthermore you stood right next to them does nothing but tell the seller that it's for the billionaire farang anyway!

All the best bargains I've had in the past have been where I kept calm started real low and calmly hammered it out without a care in the world finally walking away to be jumped in front of with an............. OK!

Don't know what anyone else thinks about this but there are two distinct types of shopping here. The Thai local stuff/replica/nick-nacks and the like, and then the mall shopping.

The first is where you can haggle and pick up some reasonably priced junk that will do for what you should pay.

The latter is (5% if you dare ask) bored, conceited sales executives with fake smiles and any facial part you care to mention, selling either D&G, Dior and the like at D&G, Dior and the like prices, mostly made here or China etc. Or even worse the nothing names (nobodies ever heard of ) at D&G, Dior prices and come sale time is shifted at 50% off! I find the sports brands exactly the same. Adidas, Nike etc made in Thailand, Thai overheads but western prices and then some.

I won't shop here anymore. I now wait until I have an excursion next door and get most stuff 30-50% less and I'm talking quality gear. To hel_l with Thai shopping malls.

For me a fool and his money, is a fool and his money however much you've got!

M.

Edited January 18, 2008 by makavelithedon

[ade100]

Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you'll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.

Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It's great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.

tq...

wanna b my thai friends...?

We'd love to but we have moved to Phuket and don't get to JJ (The trendy Thai word for Chatuchak:-)) so much these days.

[ade100]

Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you'll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.

Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It's great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.

Can't agree Ade. They are just not good at haggling. Tried it a number of times with different friends- they ask in Thai for a little discount, the salesperson drops a little and they capitulate. Furthermore you stood right next to them does nothing but tell the seller that it's for the billionaire farang anyway!

All the best bargains I've had in the past have been where I kept calm started real low and calmly hammered it out without a care in the world finally walking away to be jumped in front of with an............. OK!

Don't know what anyone else thinks about this but there are two distinct types of shopping here. The Thai local stuff/replica/nick-nacks and the like, and then the mall shopping.

The first is where you can haggle and pick up some reasonably priced junk that will do for what you should pay.

The latter is (5% if you dare ask) bored, conceited sales executives with fake smiles and any facial part you care to mention, selling either D&G, Dior and the like at D&G, Dior and the like prices, mostly made here or China etc. Or even worse the nothing names (nobodies ever heard of ) at D&G, Dior prices and come sale time is shifted at 50% off! I find the sports brands exactly the same. Adidas, Nike etc made in Thailand, Thai overheads but western prices and then some.

I won't shop here anymore. I now wait until I have an excursion next door and get most stuff 30-50% less and I'm talking quality gear. To hel_l with Thai shopping malls.

For me a fool and his money, is a fool and his money however much you've got!

M.

You might have a point there. I did once do as you said and offered them about 20% of what they were asking for. As I walked away past a few more stalls, they starting calling out "ok, ok". But most of the time I'm just so demned hot I'm past caring about anything other than getting cold water...

[thaihome]

...don't get to JJ (The trendy Thai word for Chatuchak:-)) ...

Actually, doesn't JJ [Mall] refer to the indoor (with AC) market next door?

TH

[Onnutrd]

...don't get to JJ (The trendy Thai word for Chatuchak:-)) ...

Actually, doesn't JJ [Mall] refer to the indoor (with AC) market next door?

TH

Yes you're right, 'JJ' actually refers to the indoor mall located not too far from the live fish and animal section of the stall markets now known as Chatuchak Market. However, Chatuchak has been commonly refered to as JJ Market aswell.

I also believe that the park within the vicinity of JJ Markets (Chatuchak) is also commonly called Chatuchak Park aswell.

[micksterbs]

for clothes i tind pratunam to be cheaper and less busy .

Ah ok. But do they cater for farangs there vis-a-vis copies of western stuff or is it purely for domestic consumption?

[Boo]

if you are buying bulk or for trade there are personal shopper type people who will take you to the places that sell what you need so you don't need to wander around aimlessly, they also organise overseas shipping too.

[Suzanna]

if you are buying bulk or for trade there are personal shopper type people who will take you to the places that sell what you need so you don't need to wander around aimlessly, they also organise overseas shipping too.

Actually, i'm looking for suppliers..gift, craft, & soft toys..

i have a gift shop at Kuala Lumpur.. currently i buy from wholesaler here..

1 of them told me about this chatuchak..,

how to get the personal shopper??

[hotgeekus]

Get there at 2:30-3:00 pm, then head to the food market across the street. After thirty minutes go to JJ and look around. Just when you are too tired, hot and sweaty, head over to VIVA bar (in side market), but get there about 5:15-5:30 pm. 6pm has the live band and seats are rare to find. Best bar and greatest abience in bkk, locals and expats hanging out. Food hawkers come by too.

If you need directions get a nancy chandler map or PM me.

[PaulUSA302]

I am very bad at haggling and don't enjoy it at all. So I tend to do my shopping in the malls and places where the prices are the same for everyone.