Big Sale Of Teak Furniture, Chiang Mai

[PeaceBlondie]

Television just announced that Friday, May 23 until June 2, the annual or bi-annual teak furniture sale starts in Chiang Mai. We got a great bed there, two years ago, with a certificate that the wood was obtained legally. The show/sale is usually held behind the Tesco-Lotus on the superhighway on the north side (northeast corner of town, west of the river) Sale might last ten days. Some of the tents offer huge beds, dining tables, wardrobes, etc., from rustic to fancy styles.

[Jefferson]

Is it like an auction or can you just go and buy?

[JuniorExPat]

Is it like an auction or can you just go and buy?

No auction, just stalls, lots of large market stalls from various prisons in the province, products ranging from teak houses to foot stools along with food, drink and various other bits and bobs . . . at least it was like that last time I went, came back with receipts for a six place dining table set and a four seater teak swing - delivered the same day. Haggling is the order of the day so brush up on your negotiating skills or take a friend. If I remember correctly it was quite a nice afternoon out with the family, maybe a touch spendy though!

JxP

[PeaceBlondie]

Yes, lots of big tents set up, good crowds, lots of pieces and competition. We got a huge bed, modern style, with thick, broad planks across the bottom that covered the entire surface, not teeny slats. The in-laws bought a trunk-styled patio table and benches. I got a sturdy bamboo shelf; not everything is teak. Some of the big, glassed-in, carved cabinets are gorgeous, seven feet tall. Worth a visit just to look, but might cost you 33,000 baht....

[Fantasteak]

Television just announced that Friday, May 23 until June 2, the annual or bi-annual teak furniture sale starts in Chiang Mai. We got a great bed there, two years ago, with a certificate that the wood was obtained legally. The show/sale is usually held behind the Tesco-Lotus on the superhighway on the north side (northeast corner of town, west of the river) Sale might last ten days. Some of the tents offer huge beds, dining tables, wardrobes, etc., from rustic to fancy styles.

You got a certificate to show that wood was obtained legally. Does that meen the wood was obtained legally or does it mean that you care where the wood comes from? Do you beleave a certificate means anything? I sell teak furiture and I have certificates that say the wood is plantation teak and that you can check with the Indonesian forestry organisation Pirum piritany (spelling?) as to its source. I cannot say this isn't true, but how many dollars would it take to get an official to stamp a peice of paper

? About 10. If its real good Teak it would probably of come from Burma. They are chopping down 100 trees to get to the one good one there. Then the money goes you know where.

Anyhow just thought it funny that you mentioned a certificate showing authenticity in Thailand. I will toodle off now.

[Niloc]

Just last week when we were in CM, wifey mentioned this sale and I almost posted here to ask is anyone knew when it took place. Thank you PB, I want a new bed (old one is broken again) and the missus wants a wardrobe for the TV in the bedroom.

We will be down next week with a handful of cash!!

Colin

[Mapguy]

Television just announced that Friday, May 23 until June 2, the annual or bi-annual teak furniture sale starts in Chiang Mai. We got a great bed there, two years ago, with a certificate that the wood was obtained legally. The show/sale is usually held behind the Tesco-Lotus on the superhighway on the north side (northeast corner of town, west of the river) Sale might last ten days. Some of the tents offer huge beds, dining tables, wardrobes, etc., from rustic to fancy styles.

Thanks, PB. Definitely worth visiting. Normally we go two or three times. But don't expect quality pieces. Good prices and lots of negotiation possible, but the better pieces go fast. You can negotiate a good deal on what is left when they are loading the trucks to pull out at the end of the sale --- but there normally isn't much left. Pretty much picked over.

[Farma]

You got a certificate to show that wood was obtained legally. Does that meen the wood was obtained legally or does it mean that you care where the wood comes from? Do you beleave a certificate means anything? I sell teak furiture and I have certificates that say the wood is plantation teak and that you can check with the Indonesian forestry organisation Pirum piritany (spelling?) as to its source. I cannot say this isn't true, but how many dollars would it take to get an official to stamp a peice of paper

? About 10. If its real good Teak it would probably of come from Burma. They are chopping down 100 trees to get to the one good one there. Then the money goes you know where.

Anyhow just thought it funny that you mentioned a certificate showing authenticity in Thailand. I will toodle off now.

I think you’ll find that certificate could come in handy if you are moving the furniture in the border areas.

I was interested in some furniture at a Cambodian border crossing. I was travelling with some border police (family friends) and they advised me to buy my items on the Thai side even though it looked the same and was a higher price as it came with a certificate and wouldn’t be confiscated if stopped as I transported it home.

[Fantasteak]

You got a certificate to show that wood was obtained legally. Does that meen the wood was obtained legally or does it mean that you care where the wood comes from? Do you beleave a certificate means anything? I sell teak furiture and I have certificates that say the wood is plantation teak and that you can check with the Indonesian forestry organisation Pirum piritany (spelling?) as to its source. I cannot say this isn't true, but how many dollars would it take to get an official to stamp a peice of paper

? About 10. If its real good Teak it would probably of come from Burma. They are chopping down 100 trees to get to the one good one there. Then the money goes you know where.

Anyhow just thought it funny that you mentioned a certificate showing authenticity in Thailand. I will toodle off now.

I think you'll find that certificate could come in handy if you are moving the furniture in the border areas.

I was interested in some furniture at a Cambodian border crossing. I was travelling with some border police (family friends) and they advised me to buy my items on the Thai side even though it looked the same and was a higher price as it came with a certificate and wouldn't be confiscated if stopped as I transported it home.

Very good point that! Think you might have to pay more than$10 to get away with that one.

[Blinky Bill]

You got a certificate to show that wood was obtained legally. Does that meen the wood was obtained legally or does it mean that you care where the wood comes from? Do you beleave a certificate means anything? I sell teak furiture and I have certificates that say the wood is plantation teak and that you can check with the Indonesian forestry organisation Pirum piritany (spelling?) as to its source. I cannot say this isn't true, but how many dollars would it take to get an official to stamp a peice of paper

? About 10. If its real good Teak it would probably of come from Burma. They are chopping down 100 trees to get to the one good one there. Then the money goes you know where.

Anyhow just thought it funny that you mentioned a certificate showing authenticity in Thailand. I will toodle off now.

Hmmmm. The BB-ABC checker at work. No punctuation check this time.........

You got a certificate to show that wood was obtained legally. Does that meen mean the wood was obtained legally or does it mean that you care where the wood comes from? Do you beleave believe a certificate means anything? I sell teak furiture and I have certificates that say the wood is plantation teak and that you can check with the Indonesian forestry organisation Pirum piritany (spelling?) Perum Perhutani as to its source. I cannot say this isn't true, but how many dollars would it take to get an official to stamp a peice piece of paper

? About 10. If its real good Teak it would probably out of come from Burma. They are chopping down 100 trees to get to the one good one there. Then the money goes you know where.

Anyhow just thought it funny that you mentioned a certificate showing authenticity in Thailand. I will toodle off now.

Edited May 23, 2008 by Blinky Bill

[lopburi3]

They have the same type sale here in Bangkok each year and it is a good place to find hand crafted items but the prices are fixed and the best items are always pre-sold to prison/government officials. Stocks will change each day as items are sold (at least in Bangkok where space is limited).

[uptheos]

Television just announced that Friday, May 23 until June 2, the annual or bi-annual teak furniture sale starts in Chiang Mai. We got a great bed there, two years ago, with a certificate that the wood was obtained legally.

Is the certificate hanging next to the bed, just in case someone asks?

[Greenside]

Thanks for the heads up about this event! Went this morning but not early enough to buy what I thought were the best bargains - someone else with the same bizarre taste as me had bought all the stylish chairs and occasional table sets in the Nakorn Sawan tent (pic below) that in my opinion had the very best quality stuff in both finish and design. Next year I'll get there a day early while they're setting up!

Ended up buying four very nice stools/plant stands and a set of shelves for a total of 3500 which was very reasonable.

I thought this was pretty nice for 130,000 baht but nowhere to put it (or cash to buy it!)...

This was the tent with the stuff I thought was best quality and design....

[Blinky Bill]

I thought this was pretty nice for 130,000 baht but nowhere to put it (or cash to buy it!)...

No offence Greenside, but 130,000 baht seems a bit over the top for a simple teak gazebo. IMO they are nice but not for that much money. There are a lot of these type of structures for sale on the inland road from Rayong to Bangkok (nowhere near CNX). I never stopped to asked the price so maybe I am behind the times.

[cmsally]

I thought this was pretty nice for 130,000 baht but nowhere to put it (or cash to buy it!)...

No offence Greenside, but 130,000 baht seems a bit over the top for a simple teak gazebo. IMO they are nice but not for that much money. There are a lot of these type of structures for sale on the inland road from Rayong to Bangkok (nowhere near CNX). I never stopped to asked the price so maybe I am behind the times.

Last year they were definitely asking 80,000Bt for almost the same thing .

I remember taking a look, as it was near the entrance on the last day. I would imagine a good discount can be had on the last day, as these things are not exactly easy to transport.

You sometimes see them on the side of the road for sale in various locations and they have them close to CAT office on Superhighway but maybe not teak.

They look a little like bus shelters though.

[Pornsak]

Hi All,

Today I visited the market, and we bought a beautiful teak coffee table of 2m * 1m with a top of 6cm thick massive teak for only 10.000THB big bargain.

We bought this this morning and after 2 hours we had it in our home.

This afternoon we looked again almost everything by this store was sold.

Very nice and some objects very cheap.

Pornsak

[Greenside]

Not having had a garden here, I've never bothered to check out any of the roadside prices but the ones I've seen didn't seem to be so well made. I'll do a bit of solid research if I ever get round to looking for one seriously though.

[rken]

Thanks for the tip on the furniture. Some really nice stuff but the prices seemed a little high. They seem to be getting new furniture everday to replace the stuff thats been sold. Most places. I'm going back the last day and see if they lower the prices. Aloha

[cmsally]

I went yesterday and they definitely have things arriving by the day. Looking at prices some do seem a little high especially for the smaller items. Thought the intricately carved sofa sets were reasonably priced seeing as they involve so much work.

Some of the larger cabinets quite nice.

I was interested in an office table - they were overpriced. One that was basically made out of old window panels except for the top piece was going for 12,000. All the office tables were between 8-15,000

Wish I had room for a couple of beds because they were good value.

PS If you go for one of those bus stop things definitely recommend the rice barn design set up higher, much nicer.

[yeti]

They have the same type sale here in Bangkok each year and it is a good place to find hand crafted items but the prices are fixed and the best items are always pre-sold to prison/government officials. Stocks will change each day as items are sold (at least in Bangkok where space is limited).

Do you have more information on this Bkk fair?

[chiangmaiexpat]

Went there on the weekend.

The furniture looked very much like that of last year. Most of it more on the frumpy side, if you want my honest opinion. The designs are just not very innovative. Also, the (seemingly popular) local orange stain doesn't do much to enhance the look of teak in my view. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the trees. But thankfully tastes differ and many pieces found buyers nevertheless.

To be fair, there were some nice pieces. I also liked the coffee tables that Pornsak mentioned. Unfortunately most of the nice pieces were already sold. Prices differed dramatically. Some of the items were rather cheap whereas others were even above the typical Ban Tawai retail pricing.

Cheers, CMX

Edited May 26, 2008 by chiangmaiexpat

[Ajarn]

Went there on the weekend.

The furniture looked very much like that of last year. Most of it more on the frumpy side, if you want my honest opinion. The designs are just not very innovative. Also, the (seemingly popular) local orange stain doesn't do much to enhance the look of teak in my view. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the trees. But thankfully tastes differ and many pieces found buyers nevertheless.

To be fair, there were some nice pieces. I also liked the coffee tables that Pornsak mentioned. Unfortunately most of the nice pieces were already sold. Prices differed dramatically. Some of the items were rather cheap whereas others were even above the typical Ban Tawai retail pricing.

Cheers, CMX

They continually bring in new stuff until the last day. So, the good stuff that is gone will probably be back. I noticed a lot more of the Salas for sale, along with some new, non-prison related stuff today.

[bergen]

I thought this was pretty nice for 130,000 baht but nowhere to put it (or cash to buy it!)...

No offence Greenside, but 130,000 baht seems a bit over the top for a simple teak gazebo. IMO they are nice but not for that much money. There are a lot of these type of structures for sale on the inland road from Rayong to Bangkok (nowhere near CNX). I never stopped to asked the price so maybe I am behind the times.

Agree with BB and CMS!

The smaller ones (that can be transported by a pickup), are sold for 25 - 30.000 baht in Ubon, and I can't see any reason why this should cost 130.000 baht.

[Ajarn]

I thought this was pretty nice for 130,000 baht but nowhere to put it (or cash to buy it!)...

No offence Greenside, but 130,000 baht seems a bit over the top for a simple teak gazebo. IMO they are nice but not for that much money. There are a lot of these type of structures for sale on the inland road from Rayong to Bangkok (nowhere near CNX). I never stopped to asked the price so maybe I am behind the times.

Agree with BB and CMS!

The smaller ones (that can be transported by a pickup), are sold for 25 - 30.000 baht in Ubon, and I can't see any reason why this should cost 130.000 baht.

People pay it, that's why. I've known some rich Thais to pay up to 450,000 baht for one or two. They also make good gifts, if you like to give gifts... Among the ones that I've seen in the last few years, 130,000 baht seems normal for that style. The quality varies a lot, so watch out... I'd like to have one if it wasn't made from teak. Plenty of other woods are suitable.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Ajarn

[K2K]

Thanks to OP PeaceBlondie for the heads up ... took a look there and some beutifully made stuff amongst the less great stuff.

Found a solid teak entertainment unit for 5000 Baht -must be the best value piece of furniture I;ve ever bought in Thailand - would definitely recommend it and will go back if I find out when the next sale is on.

[PeaceBlondie]

I have become a victim of my own OP. Boyfriend and sisters borrowed my truck and came back with a square table and 4 matching chairs, all in light teak. I thought they were going to just buy a stool, and they bought that as well. Nice stuff, if we needed more outdoor furniture, which we didn't. Next thing you know, they are going to want to buy a house to put all the stuff in. I seldom notice details, but that stool is so well made, joined, sanded, laquered, etc., it should last for centuries.