Shopping is up there with the beaches and nightlife as the main reason why people visit Thailand. It is a shopper’s paradise; Bangkok alone has more markets and malls that you could visit in a single week. Best buys are traditional handicrafts, electronics, and textile goods, including clothes.
The north of the country is the best place to seek out Thai handicrafts and hill tribe souvenirs, with Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar offering a good selection. If you want a whole range of products, head for the mazes that are Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market and Yaowarat (Chinatown). Both offer an unlimited selection of goods at unbeatable prices; for additional top places to shop, check out our recommended venues in Bangkok to shop-till-you-drop! [Bangkok Activities - Shop till you Drop]
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chatuchak-weekend-market: (Bangkok) - Chatuchak (or JJ) is the main shopping market in the Thai capital, where all sorts of merchandise is sold cheaply at hundreds of stalls connected my a myriad of tiny alleyways. Everything from puppies to furniture, knock-off designer gear to works of art can be had for negotiable prices. Get here early as it gets very busy and hot.
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damnoen-saduak: (Bangkok) - This popular floating market just outside of Bangkok is a popular day trip from the capital. Get here early as the market only runs until noon. Although its has lost its authenticity since becoming a major tourist attraction, this is still a great spot for pictures of transactions taking place on the water.
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panthip-plaza: (Bangkok) - If you’re after computers or cheap games and movies, Panthip Plaza is the main venue in the capital city. There is a huge range of electronics over five floors of shops, and any movie, game, or software can be copied for you on the spot.
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chinatown: (Bangkok) - Bangkok’s Chinatown is a mishmash of typical Chinese-style abodes and shop fronts and is a chaotic yet fun area to shop. Sampeng Lane is the center of activity here, where you’ll be rubbing shoulders with other shoppers in search of cheap clothes, electronics, gold, and Chinese herbs.
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siam-paragon: (Bangkok) - Siam Paragon is one of the latest shopping malls in Bangkok and is about as central as you can get. It is just down from Siam Square (another shopping paradise) on Sukhumvit Road and is directly accessible by Skytrain. There are many glitzy stores here along with a fancy food court.
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pak-klong-talad: (Bangkok) - Pak Klong Talad is a riverside flower market that has been in the Thai capital for ages and is open all hours. It is one of narrow lanes and is particularly good for its bouquets of orchids and its roses.
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jungceylon: (Phuket) - Phuket has plenty of street markets to go shopping, yet to escape the heat, head for the new JungCeylon shopping mall. It has lots of fashion items, eateries and coffee shops, along with Thai handicraft stalls.
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borsang-umbrella-village: (Chiang Mai) - This traditional Thai handicraft village is where you can buy those pretty traditional Thai umbrellas that are made of crafted bamboo. Borsang is about five miles from Chiang Mai and is popular with tourists. Be sure to bargain hard.
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night-bazaar: (Chiang Mai) - Running along Chang Khlan Road in Chiang Mai every night, the Night Bazaar is a huge attraction. This is where you can buy all types of Thai handicrafts, with cheap items locally made by the many hill tribes in the area.