I saw some of the Thai theater puppets for sale at Patpong Market. The small ones - about 1 ft tall - were B850 each. I just asked the price, no negotiating. Wondered if anyone has bought these and what kind of price did you get? Seen them for sale any place else?

I've never purchased anything from that dump of a tourist trap. But if I was going to buy something I'd start by saying these are only worth about 200 Baht, if they want more than 300 then I'd walk away and see what they offer. It's tedious haggling with these market traders about small amounts of money so I generally don't buy anything from them unless I really need something, but when I do I will try and get the best price.

I usually keep a small stack because they make great gifts. Trusting we're talking about the same style of puppets (marionettes?), I've seen the same item start out at 100 baht up North in Mae Sai and sell for 950baht at the Emporium in Bangkok. Everyone along the way has to eat. Those handicrafts are ubiquitous and you may assume Patpong will one of the most expensive places to pick up that sort of souvenir; I don't have quite as strong a feeling about that market as others but certainly things are overpriced as they're selling to the farang clientele. When I'm touring I like to buy things that remind me of the visit. Surely I've paid too much here and there, but price and value are relative and if it matters that much I don't buy. What's an extra few dollars or Euro if you're not on a bread-and-water budget and something reminds you of a special time and place?

I usually keep a small stack because they make great gifts. Trusting we're talking about the same style of puppets (marionettes?), I've seen the same item start out at 100 baht up North in Mae Sai and sell for 950baht at the Emporium in Bangkok. Everyone along the way has to eat. Those handicrafts are ubiquitous and you may assume Patpong will one of the most expensive places to pick up that sort of souvenir; I don't have quite as strong a feeling about that market as others but certainly things are overpriced as they're selling to the farang clientele. When I'm touring I like to buy things that remind me of the visit. Surely I've paid too much here and there, but price and value are relative and if it matters that much I don't buy. What's an extra few dollars or Euro if you're not on a bread-and-water budget and something reminds you of a special time and place?

Here's a pic so people know what I'm talking about....

http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000eLUsohY3cEk/s/700/700/thai-puppets.jpg

Patpong night trap market would be the last place to buy anything in Thailand.The only people who shop there are bunny tourists. If the vendors there say they want 850 b then they probably paid 50 - 100 baht each for them over at the border with Burma at mai sai or mai sot

markets. Go over there and buy a whole lot of them and save heaps. Waste of time buying anything in Bangkok except pure silk,if you know where to look.