Shopping with GetSiam online is easy and convenient. If you would like to come to Thailand and look through the endless markets yourself, then please be advised and read through the following Getsiam shopping tips.

Places to shop in Bangkok and other tourist centers are plentiful. Usually the shops are within easy reach of the big hotels. There are a number of excellent products, and to really good prices.

In Bangkok, for example, there's pretty much everything in the Silom / Sukhumvit area. There is Robinson's Department Store, Central Department Stores, the Issara Shopping Center, dozens of silk shops, boutiques, antiques, jewelry and leather shops as well.

Other air-conditioned shopping centers are at the Oriental Plaza in Siam Square, World Trade Center and Mah Boon Krong, where hundreds of shops line up. Younger Thais prefer to go in the Tokyu Department Store.

As comfortable as these shopping centers are, one should not avoid the colorful street markets which generally have lower prices. Pratunam, near the Indra Hotel, specializes in clothing of all kinds.
In Chinatown are two markets (Yaowarat Sampheng) where you can find numerous stores of gold, jewelry, cooking utensils and others.

The largest market in general and the most fascinating is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, saturdays and sundays at Chatuchak Park, near the Central Plaza Hotel. There is pretty much everything that grows or is produced in Thailand.

Outside of Bangkok

Chiang Mai is without question the center for traditional Thai craftsmanship. However, Pattaya and other tourist centers have much to offer as well.

Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed prices, especially for expensive items but you can ask for a discount.
General rules for bargaining can't be given because it depends not only on the skill of the buyer but also on the current condition of the seller. The originally quoted price may often be downtraded by up to 40% or more. when bargainign with Thais be well mannered, reasonably sound, bring sufficient patience and a little humor.

Large, heavy items are packed by the way. All formalities, including customs, insurance can be handled through GetSiam if you contact us before hand. The Central Post Office offers packing and shipping service for heavy pieces.

Antiques

Among the most sought after pieces are: Sawankhalok pottery from the Sukhothai period, carvings and sculptures, wood fragments with ornaments that once graced palaces, puppets, masks, silver bowls and betel nut-shells. If you have doubts about the authenticity don't buy just yet and consult with an expert. The export of certain antiquities (such as Buddha images or pictures is allowed only with permission of the Fine Arts Department).

Thai Silk

After WWII Thai silk has become very popular on the world market and is now so well known that it needs no further description. It is hand spun, hand woven and hand-painted and has a natural, uneven surface that determines its character. The main production sites are located at Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Thai silk is available in countless colors and patterns, both in piece as well as finished clothing. With improved manufacturing methods, it is now also available in heavier grades, suitable for stores and references to have. If you would like to purchase Thai silk or a custom made piece, please get in touch with the GetSiam Team.

Matmee silk is a unique brand of Thai silk. It is woven in the northeast of the country by hand. The remarkable thing is that the yarn is dyed before weaving so that the weaving pattern in the fabric is provided. This requires that a set of reels for a particular pattern is being prepared and the individual roles in a predefined sequence to be processed. While weaving the threads are then aligned so that the pattern is formed. Matmee is very popular with the Thai. The members of the royal family dress using Matmee silk.

In recent years cotton and batik Thai cotton has found enormous appreciation due its fine texture and good keeping qualities. Thanks to its excellent quality it is now as popular as Thai silk. It is suitable for both clothing and household linen (table cloths, bedding and carpets). It is woven by the hill tribes in the north and decorated with fine embroidery.

Gems

Bangkok is the world capital of gemstones. Thailand is a major source of rubies and sapphires, which are found mainly in the provinces of Kanchanaburi and Chantaburi, and Bangkok is the recognized grinding and processing center for all kinds of gems.

Since Thailand has no import or export taxes on raw and polished precious stones, stones from all over the world are send here to be grinded, if there is no lack of skilled workers. There are many places around Bangkok to buy polished gems.

 Remember to consult with a professional before buying as they are some fake stones around, but you can get an excellent value for your money when purchasing real gems.

Jewels

Thailand is now the second largest exporter of jewels. The good quality combined with artistic abilities give a splendid collection of high-quality pieces in a wide price range.

Gold

For Thai Gold there is a daily binding fixed price. Handmade jewelry will be sold by weight plus (usually low) wages. The purity of gold is regulated by the Thai Ministry of Economic Affairs and has been set at 96.5%, which corresponds to 23 carat. 14 or 18 carat gold is considered inferior by the Thai and no one wants to have it. Curiously, even gold at 24 carat is regarded as less valuable because it can not be actual Thai Gold at this purity level!
However when being offered Thai gold at a special price, which is below the official market price, be careful. Gold has a very special meaning in Thailand and no one, especially no Thai, will sell below official gold value. While gold is usually measured in grams or ounces, in Thailand even this is different. Here it is called "Baht" and is exactly 15.16 grams.
An ounce is exactly 31.103 grams, the ratio for converting the price comparison is thus 0.4874 (price for one ounce times 0.4874 = Price of the Thai baht gold).

Silverware

The production of silverware is a very old tradition in Thailand and has been very popular with the Thai for centuries. Today the United States, Europe and Australia are the biggest buyers of silver products, which consist of at least 95.5% pure silver. The two main production centers are Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Leather products

The good quality of the raw material and the cheap labor available in Thailand have a huge impact. Many products are made here for foreign brands and the items offered on-site are from the same production, but the stamp is not quite so real.
Consider this when purchasing: Elephant, crocodile, snake skin and ivory are subject to trade and the import guidelines set by the Washington Convention. It is strongly recommended to inform yourself before buying.

Pewter

Many from around the world come to Thailand to buy pewter. It usually consists of 97% pure tin and 3% antimony and copper.

Pottery

The Stoneware tradition from Sangkhalok goes back more than 700-years and is of Chinese origin. Almost forgotten the tradition had a comeback about 30 years ago in Chiang Mai. Today there are several factories producing again, for this special and unique pottery. Among the products offered are vases, lampshades, tableware, tea sets and lots of souvenir items.

Clothing

International standard clothing and casual wear are good and cheap. On the street markets those "brand" items are often forgeries (product piracy) but still at a very good quality. The purchase of counterfeit branded goods such as watches, computers, software, clothes, etc. and the import to your country may be prohibited for copyright reasons. We do not sell pirated goods on GetSiam.com for this reason.

Custom Tailoring

All over Bangkok and other tourist cities there are tailor shops on the street, in large department stores or specialty markets. The tailor stores often offer a 24-hour service. However, you should generally give them the opportunity for at least two fittings. They usually propose their own design or copy a piece of your own if you brought it along. Thai fabrics as well as imported goods are in great selection.

Wood Carving

The art of wood carving dates back to an old tradition from the Sukhothai period about 700 years ago. Today most carvings are in the northern provinces of Lampang, Phrea, Nan, and especially in Chiang Mai. The products can be divided into four categories: furniture, household items, decorations and souvenirs. Huge quantities of mainly small items are exported to Europe, USA and Japan.

What to buy?

In general shopping in Thailand is easy, fun and profitable. Nevertheless, read the following tips in order to be on the safe side:

Do not acceot offers of a stranger, not even a "newly acquired friend" to help you when buying jewelry or other high valued goods. They work on commission, and ultimately you pay their commission (10-30%).

Choose the shop of your choice carefully. With precious stones make sure that the vendor is a specialist in this area and not just a general souvenir store owner.
Look at the seller: Is he/she knowledgeable and ready to praise the goods, while not only talking about the benefits but acknowledges the disadvantages as well?
Compare prices for similar items in different shops before you make your final decision.

Shops in hotel arcades pay high rents and are therefore generally more expensive than others. On the other hand, they are very convenient if you have little time. In addition, you can assume that high quality is offered.

Do not believe the seller when he/she says products can be returned at your county's embassy later. This is not true and would be impractical. Many embassies in Bangkok have prepared a fact sheet on this subject.
Generally, no business with a Thai jewelry seller can be reversed. If a trader is willing to accept your return he/she will make take a 25-30% cut on the paid price.

Few places guarantee a refund within a specified period (usually 30 days) and refund the full purchase price.
Make sure that the purchase documents obtained bear the full dealer address and contain the actual price paid.