While queuing at immigration I met an Englishman who showed me an 'IPad' he had bought for 5,000 Baht over in the shopping area at Tachileik over the border from Mae Sai (Obviously for that price it's not going to be genuine) I was wondering if anyone had seen either original or clone versions of either Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy Note 2 and what kind of prices they were selling for. Any feedback about product quality from those who have purchased would also be interesting. Thanks.

I don't know about Mae Sai but I have seen a few posts on the computer forum about cheap Chinese made tablets being readily available at MBK and many other shopping centres so next time you are in Bangkok it could be worth checking out.

I don't know about Mae Sai but I have seen a few posts on the computer forum about cheap Chinese made tablets being readily available at MBK and many other shopping centres so next time you are in Bangkok it could be worth checking out.

...also available from your friendly local school ......

All I can say is buyer beware. The fake goods may or may not work. Your savings could be lost in the blink of an eye. I doubt if you can even buy an original piece of electronics in Mae Sai or Tachick on the Burma side.

Ahh, the famous (or infamous) "China Phones".

The cheap buy them, and then the cheap curse them.

No clue about knockoffs, but genuine Ipods are made in China. China also has no respect for patents.

Part of me wonders if it would be easier and cheaper for factory employees to steal items or technology, and sell the real thing black market. Why redesign the wheel if it's already there?

Probably no, but just wondering.

I'd highly recommend buying one near where you live. They fail on a regular basis. At least if you buy locally, and they fail, you have a chance of getting it fixed or replaced. My wife's friend has bought 2. Both failed within 2 months. Others have bought them, only to find out they don't really have the features advertised. Buyer beware.

This is probably best over in the techie forum. Topic Moved.

Mae Sai is at least among the worst places to buy anything. From cigarettes and Viagra to chocolate bars are knock offs and if there is anything there that is a true bargain, I haven't seen it. No possible way would I buy ANYTHING electronic there.

Yea, just go to most any nearby Thai store selling Chinese tablets/smartphone, find a tablet that's real close (or identical) to the shape/size of an Ipad or Samsung Tab, buy it, then put a few decals on it saying Apple or Samsung or whoever. Only difference between during that and maybe buying a Apple/Samsung knockoff at Mae Sai is the knockoff name decal/engraving might look a little better than the decal you would apply. At least then if you have problems you can go back to that nearby Thai store for help (to bitch).

Plus, since you know the real name of the Chinese tablet manufacturer (just look under the decal you applied if you forgot) you can then go to their website (if they have one) for software updates, info, etc.

the fake/chinese gs3 is 6000thb in mbk

complete garbage but theyre probably selling loads of them