Shopping in Thailand

Thailand ranks among Southeast Asia's most privileged destinations for scoring great deals and bringing back souvenirs offering exceptional value for money.

Driven by growing annual growth rates and supported by H.M. Queen Sirikit through her "Support" foundation established in 1976, Thai craftsmanship offers a vast array of products across all categories.

Whether the fruit of centuries-old traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations or the result of cutting-edge technology, these products provide both variety and quality. On a traditional day or night market, in a shopping mall, or in a boutique—opportunities to acquire them are abundant and easily accessible.

The Remarkable Variety of Thai Fabrics

Silk

Thai silk is undoubtedly one of the "stars" of shopping in Thailand. It is even considered among the finest in the world, with its careful weaving, attractive patterns, and vibrant colors. Its lightweight or thicker weaves lend themselves equally well to garments, scarves, and ties, as well as table linens, napkins, tapestries, and curtains.
Certain villages in the North (San Kamphaen and Pasang, which produce the majority of silk and cotton from Chiang Mai) and in the South (Phumriang, renowned for its silver-embroidered silk garments) are particularly active. However, it is in the Northeast region around Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Khon Kaen, Roi Et, and Udon Thani that the most distinctive technique is found: practiced for "mat-mee" silk, this technique involves dyeing threads in various colors and sumptuous patterns before weaving.
A festival celebrates this fabulous textile, the Silk Festival: 10 days and 10 nights of festivities in Khon Kaen (Northeast), from late November through early December.

Cotton and Batik

Also hand-woven in endless hues, cotton is a highly appreciated fabric for creating garments, home linens, or various accessories. The tribes of the North are particularly skilled in weaving this textile, especially in producing batik with striking colors and superb patterns.

Wicker and Rattan

Thai wicker and rattan furniture is highly valued for the exotic touch it provides, its elegance, durability, and diverse styles and designs. Some pieces can be custom-made upon request.

Discovering Thailand's Stunning Ceramics

A wide selection of hand-thrown pottery is available throughout the country: dinnerware, vases, lamps, large jars, and figurines.

Nearly a thousand years of craft practice have resulted in the creation of first-rate objects in styles inspired by local or Chinese traditions, classical or contemporary in design. The most renowned pieces are the celadon green wares manufactured particularly in the Sukhothai region, blue and white Chinese ceramics, and Benjarong ceramics resulting from Thai tradition.

Niello

Niello work is an art originating from Europe that has been practiced in Thailand for several centuries. It involves engraving designs on gold or silver objects, which are then filled with niello, an alloy of lead, silver, copper, and sulfur. This delicate art produces magnificent objects, such as jewelry boxes, trays, or vases. They are found especially in Bangkok (Center) and Nakhon Si Thammarat (South), Thailand's first province to practice this art for more than seven centuries.

Metalwork

Copper and Bronze

The techniques used to work these materials perfectly illustrate the combination of traditional methods and recent innovations: to prolong their longevity and preserve their luster, objects are coated with a layer of silicone. They are practical or decorative, in classical or contemporary style, with the most common items being tableware or sculptures of animals and figures.

Tin

Tin is one of the natural riches of Thailand's southern region. This alloy offers numerous possibilities for shaping, engraving, or relief decoration: plates, boxes, hip flasks, and vases are the most common objects.

Silver

It is in Chiang Mai that silverwork is most widespread. The metal is hammered to create numerous objects with relief motifs.

Gold

Favored by the artisans' dexterity and their affordable costs, as well as by the standardization of precious metal prices, Thai goldsmithing offers a range of high-quality items at all price points. These items and jewelry are available in Bangkok boutiques, notably in the Chinese Quarter where Yaowarat Road is famous for its hundreds of gold shops.

Bringing Home Precious Stones from Thailand

Thailand is one of the world's largest exporters of gemstones. A stone-cutting industry has developed, either from local stones or imported stones. In Bangkok, where the Jewelry Trade Centre stands at 55 stories, the cutting and polishing of precious stones constitute one of the major activities. On the East Coast as well, the provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat are renowned for their sapphires and rubies, as well as the precious stone markets of Hua Thung, Khlong Yaw, and Khao Saming.

Lacquerware

Lacquer craftsmanship is a specialty of the Far East. Objects produced in Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai and the North, are of good quality. They are first shaped from bamboo or wood before being covered with multiple layers of lacquer. Bracelets, bowls, boxes, trays, plates, and vases are then engraved, finely decorated, and polished.

A Florist's Paradise

Thai forests abound with a considerable variety of orchids that, through careful and delicate treatments, are able to be produced outside their wild natural environment. Crossbreeding has thus given rise to more than a thousand species, cultivated in specialized farms. Equipped with a small water reserve, they can be easily transported.
Artificial flowers and plants are also the subject of superb creations that blend seamlessly with natural ones.

Dolls and Toys to Delight Your Children and Grandchildren

The vast assortment of dolls and characters with carefully curated wardrobes will delight children and collectors alike. The manufacture of dolls in Thailand actually dates back several centuries.
Note that dolls intended for children meet international safety standards.

The Land of Ready-to-Wear and Leather Goods

Thailand ranks among the world's leading ready-to-wear producers: excellent quality jeans and t-shirts, as well as more sophisticated products. It is even possible to have clothing custom-tailored from a wide choice of local or imported fabrics.

Shoes, jackets, luggage, belts, bags, wallets, briefcases—these are just examples of leather items offered in boutiques specializing in leather goods or street shops.

Antiques and Paintings Will Hold a Special Place in Your Souvenir Shopping

Thailand offers local, Chinese, Burmese, and Khmer antiques of excellent reputation. However, certain pieces are prohibited from export or require authorization from the Ministry of Fine Arts. Numerous boutiques are available at River City Shopping Centre, on New Road, and around Bangkok.
Art lovers will not want to miss discovering galleries showcasing works by local artists. Framing is also of high quality and inexpensive.