How to go shopping in Thailand

It’s no secret that Thailand is one of the most popular shopper’s paradises. Shopping is a prime item on a Thailand tourist's itinerary. A wide range of beautiful and quality items are on offer everywhere. Clothes, homewares, handicrafts, paintings, furniture, handbags, shoes, jewellery the list of bargains is endless. Having 24-hour service clothes tailored is very good value – especially for men. Department stores and local markets are equally fun and interesting to visit.



For those who do not like haggling and bartering, department stores are perhaps more likely to suit your style. They are still very good value and are often filled with bargains and sales. There is not one “shopping street” in Bangkok, however there are a number of recommended department stores throughout the city:

Department Stores in Bangkok


1. Gaysorn: International standard shopping centre featuring famous Thai and international brands and fine restaurants. This is a must destination for those who like designer brands.

2. MBK (MahBoonKrong): For those who like a cheap bargain (e.g. shoes for A$7.00), this is the best place to go for shoppers who love shopping in a market-style atmosphere, but would prefer to do so in air-conditioned comfort. It is positively packed with stalls selling anything from clothes, leather goods and fashion accessories to electrical supplies, furniture, cosmetics and all kinds of gift items.

3. World Trade Centre: Bangkok's largest downtown mall is a labyrinth of shops, restaurants and entertainment, including cinemas, an ice-skating rink and the Thai Duty Free Shop.

4. Central Department stores: Central Department Store Chain is the largest retailer in Thailand with department stores, specialty stores, specialty stores, supermarkets, mini-marts and hypermarkets.

5. Emporium: Offers many well-known brands at excellent prices. This is a very trendy and more expensive shopping mall that has a number of specialty stores so you can get all your shopping done at once. It includes a number of stylish boutiques, the Coffee Shop, a supermarket, bookstores and a number of good restaurants.

Markets in Bangkok




1. SILOM-SURAWONG-PATPONG
Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market.

2. BANG LAMPHU
Situated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.

3. PRATUNAM-PHETCHABURI
A highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok’s biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.

4. BAIYOKE TOWER
Located next to Bangkok’s tallest hotel building, Baiyoke Tower is one of the city’s renowned garment centres.

5. CHINATOWN
Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok’s Chinatown offers a profusion of gold shops as well as two nearby traditional shopping places, Ban Mo Jewellery Street and Phahurat Cloth Market.

6. NAI LERT MARKET
Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts

7. CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
Located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between — a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. Chatuchak Weekend Market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur artlovers and artists meet. With it's own skytrain station, it's simply and quick to get there and back too!

New Year Shopping Festival

Shopping street
As part of the year-end shopping celebrations, TAT, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and members of the private sector representing hotels, department stores, shopping malls and other business interests around Bangkok’s famous Ratchaprasong Intersection have joined hands to make the area a colourful shopping street with bright, fresh and fun look decorations.

The harsh lines of the buildings are softened with trees, plants, landscaping, and a touch of Thai to make the area aesthetically appealing. All electrical wiring is buried underground. Street furniture and new lighting are installed and sidewalks smoothly paved with all the shopping malls in and around the intersection linked by covered elevated walkways.

There are shopping discounts, special offers and festive celebrations as well as leisure and entertainment extravaganza held throughout the period. The highlight is the “Bangkok Countdown” held in front of the Central World Plaza on New Year’s Eve in which Thai and foreign visitors gather and join the rest of the world in welcoming the New Year.

VAT refunds
Vistors to Thailand can now claim VAT refunds at Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket international airports for a minimum purchase of 5,000 baht per day (this amount can be reached through many purchases in one day). Upon making a purchase, visitors should request the store to process a VAT refund form. If in a department store, tourists must collect their receipts and take them to the specified VAT counter to be processed. Receipts must be processed on the day of purchase.

When departing Thailand, visitors must have the form stamped at the customs VAT checkpoint prior to airline check-in. Please note that the goods bought and claimed under the VAT refund system must be shown to the customs representative before the form can be stamped.

When passing through passport control, visitors will have the form processed by the Revenue Department officials and receive a VAT refund.