Edited by: Bhawna Nijhawan
Summary:- Whether you’re looking for traditional handicrafts or fashion clothes, designer jewelry or gorgeous souvenirs to bring home, Thailand has it all. Let’s take a look at some of the best shopping places in Thailand.
We all love shopping, don’t we? When you’re abroad, it’s fun to shop, be it for high-end brands or local items. While there are many top shopping destinations around the world today, Thailand still remains one of the most popular choices for travelers. Whether you’re shopping in iconic malls or exploring some of the oldest markets, this country has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping. I am a shopaholic who has wandered through the beautiful country of Thailand. Let me tell you about some great shopping spots in Thailand.
Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin
Bangkok’s Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, also called the Train Market, is a huge open-air night market. I love this little hidden gem; it’s a great place to get away from the city and enjoy exploring, eating, and shopping at the same time. There’s something unique and different about Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, compared to other markets. Locals come here to hang out on weekends and the whole area is very lively.
This market is more than just a shopping venue – it’s a place to relax, eat, drink, and try new things. From the outside, this market doesn’t look big, but once you start walking around, it just keeps getting bigger. I was pleasantly surprised to find a wide variety of interesting goods at Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin during my first visit here.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Must Buy: Vintage items, art & handicraft, vintage furniture, retro clothing, and accessories
Opening Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 5 pm to 1 am
Krabi Town Walking Street
As far as shopping is concerned, my favorite place to visit is the Krabi Walking Street Market. This market attracts a large number of travelers and offers you the chance to browse through a variety of wonderful shops and stores, making it one of Thailand’s best markets.
This market has a reputation as one of the most captivating shopping destinations and I will tell you why! It’s because you can spend hours and hours wandering through its multiple pathways and finding an amazing variety of items and goods. Krabi Walking Street Market is known for having a collection of household supply items at reasonable prices. You can also shop for spices at the numerous spice shops in this market.
Location: Krabi, Thailand
Must Buy: Household items, spices, fruits & veggies, handicrafts, clothes
Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday, 5 pm to 10 pm
Central Festival Pattaya
This beachfront destination is a popular shopping and dining spot due to its convenient location. It is located between Beach Road and Pattaya Second Road. I guess both ends have entrances. With multiple international and local brands in its stores, this beachfront mall was built in 2009.
It offers visitors a unique shopping experience with a view of Pattaya Bay. Besides shopping options, there is entertainment available in the form of a cinema, a children’s arcade, and a bowling alley. As the largest beachfront shopping mall in Asia, this mall offers both affordable and expensive items to meet the needs of a wide range of customers.
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Must Buy: Fashion accessories, health & beauty products, home decor, gold jewelry
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am to 11 pm
Pattaya Floating Market
Are you planning to spend a few days in Pattaya? Then, I suggest you visit the Pattaya Floating Market. It’s the perfect place to see the best of Thai culture, the culinary world, and the vibrant colors of Thailand. The market displays and highlights the beautiful cultural and local Thai products.
The products are sourced from four major regions in Thailand and are priced reasonably. In this beautiful and lively market, vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables, authentic and amazing street food, and Thai handicrafts. I can say this from my personal experience that there’s a lot of stuff worth shopping for in Pattaya Floating Market.
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Must Buy: Thai fruits & veggies, handicrafts, jewelry, and other Thai products
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 11 pm
Royal Garden Plaza
My family and I visited this big mall in Pattaya during our holidays. A variety of branded stores and restaurants are available here for shopping and dining. It has a nice flea market and a great food court on the top floor. As far as I remember, the Flea market is located on the ground floor of the mall.
The other floors contain high-end stores, including Thai Town, a local specialty shop. I think there is also a museum on one of the floors, you can also visit there. Due to its unique structural design, this place is one of the most popular shopping spots in Thailand.
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Must Buy: Clothes, handicrafts, jewelry, and other Thai products
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 11 pm
Maharaj Market
This is a morning market in Thailand, which is unusual in a country that primarily has night markets. There is so much I want to share with you about Thailand’s bustling Maharaj Market. Early in the morning, I think 3 am, the market starts up and doesn’t shut down until 12 noon.
I think 7 – 8 am is a good time to go. Maharaj Market is beautifully organized and, despite the heavy crowd, it is easy to navigate. The Market is always busy and deals with everyday items. The market has sections for fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and dry foods, and a large area with breakfast items.
Location: Krabi, Thailand
Must Buy: Fruits, veggies, meat, seafood, rice, etc
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 6 am to 12 noon
Pattaya Night Bazaar
A popular street market in Pattaya, the Pattaya Night Bazaar is located opposite the Central Festival Pattaya Beach. Known for its hand-made fabrics, unique accessories, hats, and beachwear, this enclosed Thai street market is said to have more than 250 stalls and shops. I like Pattaya Night Bazaar because it is set in an air-conditioned structure, unlike other street markets in the city.
You can shop for affordable clothing items, local boutiques, or brand knockoffs at the Pattaya Night Bazaar. Jewelry, handbags, and footwear are also popular items at this night market. You can purchase souvenirs such as bamboo products and eat authentic Thai food at this market.
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Must Buy: Hand-made items, fashion accessories, beachwear, footwear, and souvenirs
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 11 pm
Nang Thong Supermarket
Nang Thong Supermarket is one of the biggest supermarkets in Thailand. I like this supermarket because they provide good wines, especially Australian ones, that are not too expensive, as well as decent bread and pastries. In addition to freshly baked bread and rolls, there is a spice section as well.
My favorite section in this market is the one with all the different spices and curry pastes. Small spice sachets fit easily in suitcases and are inexpensive too so I bring a lot of these sachets back home with me. Additionally, grocery items and household goods are available at a cheaper price in this market.
Location: Chang Wat Phang-nga, Thailand
Must Buy: Wine, tonic water, bread & pastries, and spices
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm
Khuk Khak Fresh Market
In order to truly understand a Thai village, town, or city, you must visit this market. Some people here will be hurrying to grab breakfast or lunch for work, while others will be taking their time to browse the fresh produce. The Khuk Khak market offers a stunning array of local fruits and vegetables, as well as some of Thailand’s less-known fruits and herbs.
If you want something different than pineapples and watermelons, this is the place for you. There are many delicious fruits to choose from here – Rambutan, Langsat, Dragon-fruit, and Rose-apples are just a few. As you move through the market, you will find the meat, fish, and dry goods sections too.
Location: Khao Lak, Thailand
Must Buy: Fresh fruits & veggies, breakfast items, meat, fish, and dry foods
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 5:30 pm to 10 am
Bang Niang Market
Located in the center of Khao Lak, Bang Niang Market offers a wide range of products from handicrafts, jewelry, and handmade bags, to souvenirs that you can take back home for your friends and family. The market is open from 2 pm to 10 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
You can also find delicious fresh and local street food here. I went to this market in the evening when it’s most vibrant and exciting. Handmade handicrafts, T-shirts, and souvenirs are sold at many stalls here. Fresh Thai food can be found in the street food section, including skewers, spring rolls, seafood, and more. Besides well-known fruits and vegetables, you’ll also find Thai-only produce in this market.
Location: Khao Lak, Thailand
Must Buy: fresh fruits & veggies, handicrafts, clothes, and souvenirs
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday, 2 pm to 10 am
Also Read :- Best Tourist Places to Visit in Thailand
Best Things to Buy in Thailand
Thailand has a lot of good shopping malls and department stores, as well as a lot of good local markets. You can find almost anything you want here, including crafted handicrafts, impressive antiques, electronic equipment, gorgeous artwork, and everyday clothes. Here are some of the best things to buy in Thailand:
1. Thai Silk
Jim Thompson made Thai silk famous all over the world. Before that, it was already popular in Asia due to its beautiful appearance and high quality. You can buy Thai silk when you go to Thailand since it’s one of the most sought-after fabrics worldwide.
2. Jewellery
A few places in Thailand are rich in gemstone resources, such as rubies and sapphires. Furthermore, Thailand has plenty of gold shops. It is a popular destination for tourists looking for quality gemstones and gold at lower prices.
3. Ceramics & Pottery
It’s hard not to be enticed by the beautiful forms, shapes, and sizes of Thai ceramics and pottery. You can buy these pieces as souvenirs, or to use in your home. They are a great way to add a unique touch to any room. Many pieces are handmade, so each one is truly special.
4. Wood Carvings
Raw wood is transformed into beautiful forms such as animals, buildings, and figures from ancient temples and palaces by wood carvers. The craftsmanship of woodcarvers in Thailand is renowned. Woodcarvings are often used as souvenirs, gifts, or decorations for homes and offices so you can buy them.
5. Dried Fruits
If you are totally in love with the exotic fruits in Thailand and want to share some with your friends and family, dried fruits will make an excellent gift. They are easy to carry and won’t go bad quickly. Plus, they taste delicious!
6. Spa Products and Soap
Thai spa massage is renowned throughout the world for its relaxing effects. You can take home some really good massage spa kits and fragrant soaps from your Thailand tour. These kits are available in a variety of sizes and prices to fit your budget.
7. T-shirts
T-shirts are among the many cheap items to buy in Thailand. They come in a variety of styles and colors. The quality is usually quite good, and prices are very reasonable. Some stores in Thailand even offer custom designs for a unique, personalized look.
8. Thai Food & Snacks
Gift your friends traditional Thai Tuk Tuk chocolates, coconut candies, sweet bites, and dried durian. These traditional Thai treats make for a perfect gift for any occasion. Let your friends experience the unique and delightful flavor of Thai culture with these delicious snacks.
Tips For Market Shopping In Thailand
Shopping should be fun, right? The crowded stalls and brightly colored vendors of Thai markets can both be therapeutic and exciting. If, however, you are not familiar with how to shop in Thailand’s markets, your shopping spree may come to a halt. It is possible to fall victim to a sticky tourist trap in Thailand, such as paying too much for cheap goods or purchasing counterfeit goods. To make your shopping experience memorable (in a good way), keep these tips in mind:
1. When buying things in Thailand, bargaining is a must. There are fixed prices at large department stores and malls, but street vendors and markets always set their prices higher. Most of the time, the real price will be anywhere between 25% and 50% lower than what is initially quoted by the vendor.
2. A walk-away is a tourist’s most powerful bargaining tactic. In most cases, the shop owner will call you back and lower the price to offer you a lower price. This is a tip you might want to try!
3. Compare the value of an item in THB with the value in your native currency to figure out your willingness to pay. In general, if you’re happy with what you get for the price, you’re getting a good deal.
4. Shopping with a newly-made local friend or a tourist guide is never recommended because they may take commissions from the store, which you will have to pay.
5. When purchasing valuable items like gems or gold, you should be extremely cautious. It is better to go to large malls to buy such items instead of a general souvenir store offering a cheaper price.
6. Compare items and prices between several shops. Chances are you will find several shops selling the same or similar product and you may get it for cheaper.
7. Whenever you make a big purchase in Thailand, you should ask for a receipt and make sure it is accurate.
8.Wholesale malls in Thailand often offer the biggest discounts to those who buy multiple items. If you buy three or more items, your prices will automatically drop by 25%.
9. Do not buy anything that you don’t really want and can’t fit in your suitcase. Tourists often buy in bulk and then buy a new suitcase to fit everything.
FAQs
What is the shopping capital of Thailand?
Bangkok can be regarded as the shopping capital of Thailand. The largest shopping center in Thailand, Central World is located in Bangkok. It has a multitude of restaurants, cafes, and stores. Whether you’re planning a chill night out in the city or just some shopping, this is the place to go. Thailand’s largest market is the Chatuchak Weekend Market which is also located in Bangkok.
Can tourists buy gold in Thailand?
Yes, tourists can buy gold in Thailand. Thailand has cheaper gold than a lot of Western and Asian countries. As for the quality of gold, it’s better too. When buying gold in Thailand, you should however purchase a very small gold quantity or else you will have to pay taxes. A small 1 “baht” (15.16 gram) piece of gold jewelry can be imported tax-free if you don’t import anything else from Thailand. Any items above the allowance must be taxed at 36.05%.
Is Thailand cheap for shopping clothes?
The shopping hubs of Thailand are well-known around the globe. Whether you want cheap clothes or high-end clothes, Thailand has it all. The prices of clothes are low, but the quality is generally high and the variety is amazing – silks, gemstones, tailor-made clothes, and traditional handicrafts are just a few of the highlights.
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