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Thai Shopping
  • Gems & Jewelry
    Thailand has become a new leader in the world of gems and jewely in a short 10-year period. This is possible because, first, rich mines of high-grade gemstones, notably rubies and sapphires, have been found in Kanchanaburi and Chanthaburi provinces; secondly, Thailand has plenty of skilful crafsmen with dexterous hands and expert designers with artistic talent; thirdly, the cost of labour and the overhead costs are comparatively low in this country; and fourth, Thailand imposes no import or export duty on raw or cut stones. That is why all kinds of precious stones are sent to Thailand for cutting.
  • Gold Ornaments
    Most of the large gold shops in Bangkok are located in Yawarat Road. Some are haft a century old and a few are newly opened. There are all thriving. They have many foreign customers, especially those from other countries in Southeast Asia. They prefer to buy gold ornaments in Thailand because of the large choice, excellent workmanship and beautiful designs. Pure gold ornaments are also available in some jewelry shops.
  • Antiques
    Among the most sought-after items are Swankhalok pottery from the Sukhothai period, carvings and sculptures from Buddhist monasteries, ornamental wood fragments once adorning palaces, puppets, marks, silver bowls and betel-leaf containers. When the authenticity is in doubt, ask the dealer to guarantee the return of the item.
  • Silk Fabric
    Introduced to the world market only about 40 years ago, Thai silk is perhaps already too well known to need further recommendation. It is hand reeled, hand woven and hand printed and so has a natural uneven look and a coarser texture which give it its uniqueness.
    Sericulture has a long history in Thailand. But the fabrics produced today are not quite the same as those of olden days. They have undergone technical innovations and so their colours are fast and more brilliant, and their finish is not too rough and heavy and is suitable for making dresses.
    The two main producetion centres of Thai silk fabrics are Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
  • Mudmee (tied-dye) Silk
    Mudmee is a kind of Thai silk produced in the Northeast of the Kingdom. It is so called because of its peculiar dyeing process, by which the silk threads are tied in the desired pattern before dyeing. It was introduced to the market outside only a decade ago by Her Majesty the Queen, as part of her rural development efforts. Today mudmee is popular among the Thais. Clothes made of mudmee silk are regularly worn by the Royal Family.
  • Leatherware
    There are over 100 tanneries on the outskirts of Bangkok, where hide and leather of high quality are produced. With plentiful supplies of raw materials and cheap manpower, Thailand is an ideal place to shop for leatherware of good workmanship at reasonable prices. Some of the products are exported to foreign countries to be reexported after foreign brands are stamped on them.
  • Garments
    Ready made garments are sold almost everywhere in Bangkok and other cities -- at roadside stalls, in special garment markets and in large department stores, where the garment sections always occupy the largest space. Foreign visitors are among their frequent customers. Thai garments not only sell briskly on local markets, but have become an important export commodity of Thailand. That is because of the low labour cost, cheap raw materials, fashionable designs and fine workmanship.
  • Wood Carving
    Wood Carving is an ancient art of the Thai people handed down from the Sukhothai period about 7 centuries ago. Today, most of the wood carving workshops are concentrated in northern provinces, such as Lampang, Phrae, Nan and, especially, Chiang Mai. The products may be divided into 4 categories; furniture such as tables, chairs, beds and cabinets; household utensils such as plates and bowls; decorative objects such as lampshades and picture frames; and articles used as souvenirs. Large quantities of small articles are exported to Europe, the United States and Japan.
    The best wood carved products are made of teakwood. As the poacing of forests is strictly prohibited as the teakwood supplied by the Forest Industry Organization is far from enough the meet the demand, the production of wood carving factories tends to decrease and the price to increase.
  • Silverware
    Like wood carving, the making of silverware is a very ancient art in Thailand. Its use has enjoyed great popularity among the Thai people for centuries. It began to decline only a few decades ago partly because of the introduction os stainless steel and aluminium as materials for making utensils, and partly because of the sharp increase in the price of silver.
    Yet Thai silverware, especially ornaments, is still in great demand on the world market with the United States, European countries and Australia as its main customers. This is because Thai craftsmen have maintained the traditional fine workmanship of their ancestors and the quality of the products is under the strict control of the government which prescribes that the content of pure silver in silver products must not be less than 92.5 percent.
    The two main producetion centres of silverware in Thailand are Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
  • Pewterware
    Some of the best handmade pewterware of the world come from Thailand. Thai pewterware is made of 97% pure tin and 3% antimony and copper, and is lead free.
  • Bronzeware, Brassware
    Like silverware and nielloware, bronzeware, brassware have a long history in Thailand. They are noted all over the world for good quality and design.
  • Furniture
    Thailand has earned fame for its elegant and durable furniture for over a decade. The export value of wood and rattan furniture rapidly increased from 53.6 million baht in 1975 to 1139.6 million baht in 1985. That is because the raw materials can be easily found in this country; Thai furniture is elegant in apperaance; the labour cost is low: and above all, Thailand products large selections of furniture, ranging fromm wooden, wood carved, leather and rattan furniture to intricate mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture.
  • Pottery
    Sangkhalok stoneware made by potters from China 700 years ago was a distinctive product well known all over Southeast Asia. Latter, the art died out and was revived in Chiang Mai only about a quarter of a century ago. Now there are several factories making this peculiar kind of ceramics called celadon. Their products include vases, lampshades, dinner sets, tea sets and a variety of souvenir articles.
  • Gold Plated Orchids
    A newly created handicraft in which such beatiful natural creatures as orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated in 24-k gold, making their beauty permanent and their value as gifts greatly enhanced.
  • Other Handicrafts
    Their are several other kinds of handicrafts that are of artistic value, such as Thai dools, lacquerware, nielloware, artificial flowers and wickerwork

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