Adorable ceramic elephants from Lampang - available at ExporThai.com.
According to a recent survey conducted by Visa International Asia Pacific and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), more than 50 percent of travelers are considering Asia as their next travel destination, and the country that topped the list? Thailand.
Blessed with beautiful beaches, magnificent mountains, and friendly folks, Thailand has long been popular with the backpacking set and international beach bunnies. However, it's the culture that lures many, and with so many traditional arts & crafts to choose from, shopping is a significant part of any visit. Most of the silks, woodcarvings, gifts, home decor, and handmade paper items come from Chang Mai, but if you know where to look, you can pick up fab souvenirs either at the source, or in Bangkok.
Shopping Chiang Mai:
- NIGHT BAZAAR The area of Chiang Mai next to the river transforms itself nightly to a street market offering all sorts of delightful handicrafts. This is the first place to go in Chiang Mai, since artisans from all over Northern Thailand show their products here. For indoor shopping, there are two large handicraft malls on either side of the main street -- Vieng Ping Night Bazaar and Kalare. Best Kept Secret? Kalare has continuously running cultural shows -- and they are free.
- BAN TAWAI About twenty minutes from Chiang Mai City by car, Ban Tawai is the center for handicraft decor and furniture items. Most of the "antiques" here are not much older than an Ikea sofa, but the designs are traditional and the makers are expert at aging them. Best Kept Secret? Savvy shoppers go past the main area another half kilometer to see the articles being made, talk to the artists, and get the best prices.
- BO SANG Outside Chiang Mai on the SanKamPaeng road is an entire village whose inhabitants are dedicated to the making and trading of Thai handicrafts. Walking the main street of Bo Sang gives a sense of the variety available, but bargain hunters duck to the back rooms to find the real treasures. Best Kept Secret? Factory direct prices for hand made mulberry paper are in a remote part of Bo Sang called Ton Bau. This is where the makers are, and all have shops for browsing.
- SUNDAY MARKET Every Sunday evening, the streets from Thai Pae Gate to Wat Pra Sihng are closed to traffic. Vendors from all over Thailand lay out blankets and sell striking and original items at bargain-basement prices. Best Kept Secret? Many of the temples in the walking area also provide space for vendors. Shoppers find bargains while viewing temples at a time they would not normally be open to the public.
Shopping Bangkok:
- CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET Chatuchak Weekend Market is the undisputed center for buying Thai Handicrafts of all kinds. Now it's easily accessible by both subway and Sky Train -- se when time is limited, this is the place to go. Mixed in with knock-off jeans and cheap sneakers are some outstanding Thai products. Best Kept Secret? Chatuchak is open on Fridays as "wholesale day", but all are welcome. Avoid the weekend crowds and get the best bargains.
- NARAYANA PHAND THAI HANDICRAFT CENTER Travelers with a very tight schedule go to the Narayana Phand Thai Handicraft Center located across the street from Central World Shopping Center in Pratunam. Beautifully presented Thai handicrafts from all over the country are sold at fixed prices. Many items from Royal Projects sold here support Hill Tribe, disabled and elderly artisans. Best Kept Secret? The basement shops are independent sellers, selling many of the same items as in the main shop at greatly reduced prices.
- SILOM ROAD/PATPONG At night, the financial district of Bangkok becomes a market packed with every type of product, legal and illegal. Shoppers who brave the crowds and the touts can discover budding artisans staked out selling unique designs - from delicately carved soap flowers (warning - these fade in the sun!) to hand-made sandals. Best Kept Secret? Most "Thai Silk" sold on the street is really polyester. Genuine silk catches on the fingers, and the ends of any fringe will have fibers of varying sizes, including very fine ones.
- SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR The days of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar are numbered. Soon to be replaced by a condominium complex, this treasured shopping experience is home to all sorts of independent sellers -- many of whom design and make their own home decor designs. It's just down the road from Lumpini Park, convenient for spending a whole evening dining, shopping and generally having a pleasant time. Best Kept Secret? Next to the Bazaar at the Lumpini Boxing Stadium is a small shop selling genuine Muay Thai (Thai boxing) paraphernalia -- not tourist knock-offs. Don't miss the boxing glove key rings.
Or simply stay at home & shop there: try ExporThai.com, one of the most established online vendors of Thai
Handicrafts.
- The Travel Snob
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