Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AN INSIDER'S TIPS ON SHOPPING IN BANGKOK
Nima Chandler of Nancy Chandler Graphics ( www.nancychandler.net ), whose colourful maps are some of the
best guides to shopping in Bangkok, shares her Bangkok shopping secrets:
Your favourite Bangkok market? For visitors, Chatuchak Weekend Market ( Click here ) remains my top re-
commendation, but personally I prefer quirky smaller markets catering to locals, such as the Flashlight Market
( Click here ) just north of Chinatown on Friday and Saturday nights, where collectibles of all kinds are on sale.
My most bizarre find there: an antique popcorn machine.
Your favourite Bangkok mall? MBK Center ( Click here ) , the market in a mall, as I describe it. It's one of the
few that has retained a distinctly Thai atmosphere within, unlike the gleaming malls nearby, which could be
anywhere in the world. More importantly, MBK's vendors do carry ' fa·ra ̀ ng [foreigner]-size' clothing. High-
lights for visitors: silly shirts and beachwear in the southern end of the 3rd floor and the cheap food court and
crafts on the 6th floor.
Where's a good place to go for Thai handicrafts? Chatuchak Weekend Market ( Click here ) is probably the
most popular for arts and crafts, but I find it much easier and fulfilling to shop for crafts at ThaiCraft Fair ( Click
here ). ThaiCraft is a self-financed social enterprise dedicated to helping maintain and promote traditional Thai
arts and crafts direct from the villages, under fair-trade practices. Favourite finds: yoga-mat-carrying bags with
tribal motifs, necklaces made of recycled materials, wonderful woven baskets and silver jewellery.
A good place for quirky souvenirs? Propaganda ( 2664 8574; 2nd fl, Siam Discovery Center;
10am-8pm; National Stadium or Siam), a Thai brand gone international with cheeky, sometimes naughty,
modern design products, such as a 'Help' wine stopper (with a drowning swimmer's hand raised) and an emer-
gency wedding ring, which comes on a credit-card-sized plastic card and can be popped out when needed.
Other than Jim Thompson, what are some high-quality Thai brands visitors should seek out? The 3rd
floor of Siam Center ( Click here ) houses several top Thai fashion designer boutiques.
Where's a good place in Bangkok for antiques? River City ( Click here ) is home to several antique galleries,
selling both real and reproduction antiques. We recommend serious antique buyers do some research before vis-
iting, however, as several top dealers only offer private appointments.
Any insider tips for approaching Chatuchak Weekend Market? When you see something you know you'll
love, buy it, as it can be difficult to retrace your steps back to a shop in this market. Plan to use the restrooms in
advance - lines can be long, and in the ladies' room, women often line up by stall rather than in turn. Stop to
rest and drink water every hour. Chatuchak can be a draining experience, especially during the hot season. Try
to stay until closing, then enjoy an early evening drink at Viva's ( Click here ) while watching the market trans-
form itself into something else after dark.
Shopping by Neighbourhood
» Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi Shopping here is limited to the amulet vendors and
traditional Thai medicine shops that line Th Maha Rat.
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