In the market by the Indra hotel, there are a number of shops that sell stuff for import at a quarter of the price they do on the streets. We brought about 2000 assorted items and the shop  shipped them to the UK for us. We declared every item and as most of it was silk we did not need import licences (you only need a licence for cotton goods into UK) so ultimately we were not charged much import duty,if anything. Previously we were buying it down sickandvomit road,shipping it home in a DHL Jumbo box. This way we were charged a small import duty fee. Remember most things are only illegal if you don't declare them.A lot of customs men don't give a hoot what you bring through unless it is an illegal substance,or alchahol or tobacco in excess.

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Thanks for info.

and cdnvic

Edited February 22, 200521 yr by Bizz

Cheapest place to buy silk items is Chatochack and pillow cases are 28 baht based on buying 100 units.

Cheapest place to buy silk items is Chatochack and pillow cases are 28 baht based on buying 100 units.

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yeah but...where do they buy them from?

They make them in the villages during the week and sell them on the weekend.

Flew in to Amsterdam earlier this year from Bangkok, they were checking everyone on the flight from Bkk. I asked why and they said they were looking for copied electronic goods (they checked the stickers on my Dell laptop). No check for DVD etc but seems that someone has initiated a more stringent check, certainly in Holland and maybe the whole of Europe. This is the first time I've ever been checked coming from BKK to Europe, so be careful.

I walked around Bangkok today, price shopping for items to bring back and I have a few comments/questions.

I'm not sure if I'm missing some big market's/shops but

1) Has the OTOP shops moved from Amarin Plaza to the underground floor of Pratunam Plaza? The doors to the OTOP area in Amarin were closed when I checked in the morning (about 11am on a weekday)...

2) The shops/market by the "Indra Hotel"...is there something more than the small stands that line 2-3 blocks of Rajaprarop Rd?...across from the Indra Hotel?

I think on the weekend I'll try Chatochack Market ...but I'm finding it relativly difficult to get any bargain prices.

The person who mentioned the silk pillow cases for 38 baht/each....which pillow cases are you talking about ... and where can I get them for that price (I was offered 350 a pop for what looked to be high quality ones)

Also...other prices 35baht/each for ties in 25+ quantity.

200baht/each for silk shirts, with a more western type design.

480 baht/each for a silk purse (although there were others that were cheaper).

I feel like these prices are way too high...does anyone have experience with getting wholesale prices....or how the pricess works in general? Do I have to order them, or can I just show up, purchase, and take-away? Anyway...any help would be great.

Matt

I walked around Bangkok today, price shopping for items to bring back and I have a few comments/questions.

I'm not sure if I'm missing some big market's/shops but

1) Has the OTOP shops moved from Amarin Plaza to the underground floor of Pratunam Plaza? The doors to the OTOP area in Amarin were closed when I checked in the morning (about 11am on a weekday)...

2) The shops/market by the "Indra Hotel"...is there something more than the small stands that line 2-3 blocks of Rajaprarop Rd?...across from the Indra Hotel?

I think on the weekend I'll try Chatochack Market ...but I'm finding it relativly difficult to get any bargain prices.

The person who mentioned the silk pillow cases for 38 baht/each....which pillow cases are you talking about ... and where can I get them for that price (I was offered 350 a pop for what looked to be high quality ones)

Also...other prices 35baht/each for ties in 25+ quantity.

200baht/each for silk shirts, with a more western type design.

480 baht/each for a silk purse (although there were others that were cheaper).

I feel like these prices are way too high...does anyone have experience with getting wholesale prices....or how the pricess works in general? Do I have to order them, or can I just show up, purchase, and take-away? Anyway...any help would be great.

Matt

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way too high...........offer ridiculous prices back.....I'm sure you'll meet in the middle. As for the shirts they're only 175-200฿ to tourists. You should get bulk for75-100฿. Another good tip are the Kimono's. Buy in bulk for 200-250฿.....400-450฿ on sickanvomit. You can sell for 8 or 9 times that.And they are very good sellers. The reversible ones are best,only trouble is they are a bit bulky. I brought 250 pieces+ from behind Indra and they shipped them for me on a few occaisions. I reckon I sold over 1000 pieces all told.Another good seller is the sawdust Dragons,Elephants and Iguanas from Chatachuck.

You long term issse is is your passport gets flaged. Yeah, like in your on the list for some time to come. Obviously it totally depends on your country. IMHO- &lt;deleted&gt;, just make sure you don't have alot of duplicates and logo wear but I wouldn't want to get bugged for a few shirts etc. Just go find a way to make more money at home!

You long term issse is is your passport gets flaged. Yeah, like in your on the list for some time to come.  Obviously it totally depends on your country.  IMHO- &lt;deleted&gt;, just make sure you don't have  alot of duplicates and logo wear but I wouldn't want to get bugged for a few shirts etc.    Just go find a way to make more money at home!

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Why would my passport get flagged if i'm not doing anything illegal. I am allowed to bring $800 in goods in each time I return to the US within one month.

Matt

You long term issse is is your passport gets flaged. Yeah, like in your on the list for some time to come.  Obviously it totally depends on your country.  IMHO- &lt;deleted&gt;, just make sure you don't have  alot of duplicates and logo wear but I wouldn't want to get bugged for a few shirts etc.     Just go find a way to make more money at home!

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Why would my passport get flagged if i'm not doing anything illegal. I am allowed to bring $800 in goods in each time I return to the US within one month.

Matt

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Exactly.......I was going to say that but why bother

Cheapest place to buy silk items is Chatochack and pillow cases are 28 baht based on buying 100 units.

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yeah but...where do they buy them from?

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Just a note of caution for you budding silk entrepreneurs.

Most of the items including many of the ties which are labelled Thai Silk are 50%silk and 50% cotton.

Many items being sold as silk including the exotic dressing gowns are infact made from Rayon.

A lot of the other items labelled 100% silk are imported from China.

What the underpants are made of I would not like to hazzard a guess, but it must be a strong robust material in order to withstand the stormy and sometimes windy conditions which they encounter

Heroin should sell well .

You can put it in condoms and stick it up your bottom.

Tell us which flight you're going on and we'll tell the airport to roll out the red carpet for you.

silk ties .. small, good quality and easily sellable

Among other odds and ends, I stock up on the 10 baht a pair earrings at Jatujak, I've sold hundreds of 'em at three pair for US$10.

You long term issse is is your passport gets flaged. Yeah, like in your on the list for some time to come.  Obviously it totally depends on your country.  IMHO- &lt;deleted&gt;, just make sure you don't have  alot of duplicates and logo wear but I wouldn't want to get bugged for a few shirts etc.    Just go find a way to make more money at home!

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Why would my passport get flagged if i'm not doing anything illegal. I am allowed to bring $800 in goods in each time I return to the US within one month.

Matt

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Better check on the rules...I'm not sure, but I think the $800 limit may be on personal effects, gifts, and items for personal use. Not items of a commercial nature, which several hundred kimonos would certainly be considered.

http://www.reidsguides.com/t_mo/t_mo_customs.html

This url and article appears to claim that US Customs will not differentiate...after all, how can customs fairly say it's merchandise and not just a gift for all of your distant cousins?

Can anyone give me prices for silk tie's in bulk?

Matt

hi all.. ive been back and forth los/usa about 10 times i always bring back gifts/soviniers most popular items ...any bag,hat,jacket,or wall hanging with

the anncient/old siam elephant with the shinney stones...also a big favorite is

the sand art u tip upside down and makes diferant patterns the kids luv um..

happy travlin from......glassdude007