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Shopping |
Many shopping pleasures await you in Thailand. on-the-spot bargaining is the norm for buying things in Thailand except in Department stores. When bargaining for an item, it is standard to pay roughly two-thirds of the amount originally asked for. Every city has one or several public market places. Bangkok itself is world famous for its public markets such as pratunam, Chatuchak, Lumphini, Khlong Toci, Yaowarat, Banglamphu. Even if you don’t feel like shopping these markets are filled with sensory and visual delights. |
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TEXTILES Fabric is the best all-around buy in Thailand, with Thai silk being considered the best in the world. The weave and soft texture of Thai silk means it is easily dyed resulting in brighter colors and unique lustre. Thailand’s Northern and Northeastern provinces are where the best deals can be found. Tailor-made and ready-made clothing are relatively inexpensive. If you’re not particular about style, it is simple to pick up an entire traveling wardrobe at one of Bangkok’s many street markets for the same price as one pair of designer jeans. |
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JEWELLERY Thailand is one of the world’s leading exporters of gems and ornaments. If you know what you are doing you can make some excellent deals in both unset gems and finished jewellery. With the cooperation of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (TGJTA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand the Jewel Fest Club was established to bring together many leading jewellery manufacturers and wholesalers. |
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The club’s aim is to offer quality products at reasonable prices. When you purchase an item of jewellery from a store that is clearly identified as a member of the Jewel Fest Club, your purchase will be duly recorded and a certificate detailing your purchase will be issued. Not only does this certificate of authenticity clearly state the nature and value of your purchase, it also guarantees the item should you wish to return the purchase A 10% reduction occurs if you return the merchandise to the point of sale within 30 days, and a 20% reduction after 30 days but within 45 days of the purchase date. |
HILL TRIBE CRAFTS Colorful embroidery, clothing, bags and jewelry fashioned by the indigenous tribal people in Thailand’s northern provinces can be bought in Bangkok. of course, the closer you get to the source items become less expensive and are of better quality Chiang mai and Chiang Rai are the places to fine bargains on hill tribe confts. |
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LACQUERWARE
Thais have been producing some of the world’s finest lacquerware since the 11th Century. In many cascs, products produced in Thailand today follow the same production techniques used 1,000 years ago. Bowls, trays, plates, boxes. containers, cups, vases and many other day-to-day items are sold at most markets. |
CERAMICS Many kinds of hand-thrown pottery, old and new, are available throughout the Kingdom. Most popular are the greenish Thai Celadon products from the ancient Sukhothai-Si Satchanalai area and central Thailand’s “five color” style known as bencharong. |
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FURNITURE
Rattan and hardwood furniture items are excellent buys and can be made to order. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have the best selection of styles and the highest quality. PACKING AND SHIPPING SERVICES Thanks to the ever-increasing number of tourists coming to Thailand, most shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs and necessary permits. The Central post Office also offers a parcel wrapping service for those who want to make small shipments themselves. For larger shipments. there are a variety of international shippibg companics. |
TRADING OPPORTUNITIES The Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Ministry of Commerce, offers a permanent Exhibition where quality products manufactured in Thailand are on display. The exhibition features over 250 selected exhibitors with more than 10,000 items on display in three exhibition areas. |
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| The following is a list of just some of the items available from that district :
Bangkok clothes market Ratchaprasong area ; locally made clothes and imported products can be found at all department stores; jewellery can be purchased at every night market; Chatuchak Weekent Market offers just about everything from antiques to potted plants. Nonthaburi : renown for tropical fruits. Ayutthaya : handicrafts at The Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre at Bang sai such as weaved clothes wood carvings, baskets, artificial flowers, dolls. Lop Buri : reed mats” Kanchanaburi : sapphires of excellent quality and value, and Nin Stone, which is a black mineral. Chiang Mai : handicrafts at Bo Sang Village; Amphoe San Kamphaeng is famous as the birth place of umbrella making, where the craft continues to flourish and produce wonderful umbrellas. Chiang Rai : Amphoe Chiang Saen has fabulous wood carvings and is renown for the craftsman traditional wood carving skills. Mae Hong Son : exquisite gems kalasin : Art and Culture Centre ; pattern cloth, silk, and cotton fabrics embroidered with alphabet patterns. Udom Thani : visit Ban Chiang for its beautiful hand painted pottery. I-San : magnificent silver work; basketry made from bamboo (typical Thai design) |
VAT REFUND Visitors to Thailand can now claim back Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on items purchased in the Kingdom. A VAT refund can be claimed by and non-Thai visitor who has been in Thailand less than 180 days in a calendar year, is not a crew member of an airline, and departs Thailand by air carrier from an international airport : Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai or Phuket. To claim a VAT refund, the visitor must : |
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| have purchased the item(s) within 60 days of departure. Øhave purchased the item (s) from stores displaying the VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS sign. Ø on the day of purchase, paid no less than 2,000 Baht, including VAT, at each participating store. The total amount claiming for refund must not be less than 5,000 Baht, including VAT. Øask, on the purchasing day, the sales assistant at the store to complete VAT refund from (P.P.10) and attach the original tax invoices to the form. Each application form (P.P.10) must show a value of 2,000 Baht or more. before departure, present his or her goods and submit the form and original tax invoices to the customs officers for inspection before check-in. Note : In case of bank draft refund or credit to credit card account, the visitor can either present the claim to revenue officers or drop it into the box at the Refund Counter or mail the claim from one’s home to the Revenue Department. |