shoppping

Produced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.

www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

ContentsSIAM SQUARE 7

RATCHAPRASONG 14

PRATUNAM 19

SUKHUMVIT 22

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET 24

ContentsSILOM 28

SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR 32

KHAOSAN ROAD 35

BO BE MARKET 39

CHINATOWN & PHAHURAT 40

CHAROEN KRUNG ROAD 48

More eBrochures ContentsSiam Square Ratchaprasong Pratunam Sukhumvit Chatuchak

Weekend Market Silom Charoen Krung Road

Chinatown & Phahurat

Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road

Suan Lum Night Bazaar 4

Bangkok: A Consumer Capital

Over the years the Thai capital has truly developed into a world-class city for shoppers. Whether it’s a gleaming mall packed with designer labels or a relaxed stroll through a vibrant market full of exotic goods, colourful textiles and handmade jewellery, then Bangkok has everything to suit the tastes of the most discerning shop-a-holic or bargain-hunter.

Astonishing antiques, sumptuous handicrafts, local fashion labels, and home furnishings galore are all within walking distance of each other in different shopping areas scattered all over the city. And you can take your pick of where to pick them up.

introSHOPPING BKK




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Ultra-modern shopping centres such as Siam Discovery, Gaysorn Plaza and the newly erected Siam Paragon, are all located on the city’s “shopping strip” in Siam. The area is conveniently located in the heart of the city, clustered around the Siam BTS (or Skytrain) Station, and provides endless hours of potential shopping and entertainment; exhausted consumers can also take a cappuccino break at one of the trendy cafes in the area or take in a movie at one of the state-of-the-art cinemas. This multifaceted area is also renowned for its maze of stalls (overfl owing with trendy clothes and shoes), which are highly popular with Thai teenagers and university students.

Around the corner is the newly renovated Central World Plaza and further on, another new addition to the Thai shopping scene, the Platinum Mall, located in the city’s garment district. Just down the road is Pantip Plaza, seven fl oors of one-stop shopping for all your electronic and computer needs.

For a taste and an eyeful of Bangkok’s thriving bazaars, the Chatuchak Weekend Market, in the north of the city, is the biggest and best. From home decorations and elegant artworks to exquisitely Thai handicrafts and exotic pets, you’ll fi nd them here.




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


Along Silom Road and in the nearby Suan Lum Night Bazaar are teeming street markets. On Silom, and down Patpong Road, shoppers are spoiled for choice: fl ashy clothes, fancy watches, sandstone carvings of Hindu deities, trainers and luggage. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts, as bargaining is all part of the game of shopping in Thailand. Both of these shopping strips are easily reached via the skytrain or the MRT subway.

Further away from the city centre is the historic Chinatown, known for its vast array of street delicacies. It’s also a treasure trove for electronic goods, gold jewellery and Chinese-style arts and crafts. Nearby is Pahurat, or Little India, which is the largest textile market in the country. Locals, tourists and tailors all fl ock here to purchase a bedazzling array of fabrics for the home or to be tailor-made into any kind of garment.

Khaosan Road, immortalized in The Beach as ground zero for backpackers in Southeast Asia, is still awash with youthful exuberance, but it’s gone upscale in recent years. This is good news for shoppers and clubbers. In addition to the usual ensemble of fi shermen’s trousers, hair extensions, backpacks and sterling silver jewellery, the street now comes complete with a shopping complex called Buddy Village, and outlets for Boots, Burger King and McDonald’s.

With so many shopping options in Bangkok the best thing to do is to read over these sections and plan your own consumer excursion. But always budget some extra time for ‘discoveries.’ After all, half the thrill of shopping is discovering a new shop you’d never heard about, seeing the perfect gift for that special someone, or just buying yourself a little reward to cap off that perfect holiday.




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Khaosan Road


SIAM SQUAREThe “Siam shopping strip” is conveniently located on the BTS Skytrain line (Siam and National Stadium) and features a number of shopping complexes either attached to one another or within walking distance.

The majestic Siam Paragon, directly across from the Siam station, is Bangkok’s newest addition to the “shopping strip” having offi cially opened with much fanfare in December 2005. With more than 40 international and local fashion labels, big-name watch brands and jewelers, not to mention a gigantic aquarium, the fi ve-storey, 500,000 square metre complex has quickly become the prime shopping hub in the city.

The Mezzanine and 1st fl oor are devoted exclusively to shops featuring designer clothing labels such as Hermes, Chanel, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Guicci and Versace. You can also fi nd some of the world’s fi nest jewellers and watchmakers on these fl oors such as Franck Muller, Harry Winston, and Rolex, as well as shops displaying the fi nest in locally crafted rings, necklaces and bracelets.




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


The 2nd fl oor is dedicated to lifestyle and leisure products, like golf wear and an extensive array of audio-visual outlets, such as the Samsung Plaza, Sony Style store, Bang & Olufsen and Bose. The fl oor also features a number of spas, a selection of opticians and a “gold gallery’’. Bookworms should head for the massive Kinokuniya bookstore. It’s on the 3rd fl oor and features titles in English, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, French and German. Next door is the futuristic TRUE Urban Park IT store with mobile phones, gadgets, an Internet caf? and other digital delights. Computer buffs will be turned on by the Mac Studio (next door to Kinokuniya) and IT City on the 4th fl oor, which also houses the AIS Future World and Jay Mart mobile phone shops. The 3rd fl oor also houses a wide selection of home decor and designer furniture outlets. To add some distinctly local touches to your home, check out the Thai fashion house Jaspal Home Collection. International brands such as Martha Stewart, Barbara Barry and Yves Delorme are also featured. The 5th and 6th fl oors of Paragon are made up of a Cineplex, and an IMAX cinema, along with a combined karaoke lounge and bowling alley, and the 1,600 seat Siam Opera theatre. In the basement below the sprawling food court, Internet cafe and Gourmet Market is Siam Ocean World. Next to Paragon is the adjoining Siam Center, which has a number of trendy boutiques and local fashion houses. Watch out for international brands like Sisley, Swatch, Levi’s, Benetton, and local designer Jaspal. For a coffee break there is a Starbucks on the ground fl oor.

Across the street is Siam Square proper, where you’ll fi nd piles of leather goods, handbags, jeans and sexy shirts in every colour of the rainbow and then some. Most shops cater to Thai teenagers, so fi nding Western-sized clothing can be a bit of a challenge. Shops usually open around 11am and close at 9pm.




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


The Scala, Lido and Siam cinemas can also be found in Siam Square. These older movie theatres with their kitchsy charm may not boast the latest sound systems and giant 10-storey screens, but they are one of the few places in the city that regularly screens award-winning international and art-house fi lms. Connected to Siam Center by an enclosed walkway is Siam Discovery Center (www.siamdiscoverycenter.co.th), which has undergone a mild facelift and now sports a clean white look. There are a few international brands such as North Face, MAC cosmetics, Kipling and Asia Books to keep savvy shoppers busy. Unwind in The Metropolitan Museum of Art shop (www.metmuseum.org/store/index.asp), which showcases refashioned jewellery and bric-a-brac modelled on original historic pieces housed at the original New York museum.

The 5th fl oor is Kid’s World where you’ll fi nd Tiny Tykes, The Maternity House, and Pork Chop & Friends. The 6th and 7th fl oor house cinemas, a food court, and franchise restaurants. Across the pedestrian bridge, Mah Boon Krong or MBK is an enormous mall that is a blessing to both shoppers on a tight budget and those with money to burn. The seven-storey mall (crowned with a Cineplex as has become the fashion in Thailand) boasts a fascinating array of Thai, Western and, at the Tokyu department store, even Japanese goods. At the hodgepodge of stalls (redolent of a Thai street market) you can haggle away, but at the more expensive shops, the prices are fi xed.




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Working our way up, the ground fl oor stalls and shops are outfi tted with ladies’ fashions, hair accessories, Thai trinkets, a supermarket, pharmacy, camera shop, money changer and bank. On the 2nd fl oor you’ll fi nd more clothing and jewellery, beauty salons, masseuses and a post offi ce. The 3rd fl oor offers yet more clothes, dried fruit, health and beauty products, T-shirt printing shops and cameras. But the 4th fl oor is solely dedicated to IT, mobile phones and electronics. Up on the fi fth fl oor you can fi nd expensive, modern furnishings and home decor. The 6th fl oor houses a food court, fashion shops, a money changer and Thai Crafts. ATM machines that accept international bank cards are also located throughout MBK.

HOTELS AROUND SIAMThe Pathumwan Princess Tel: 66 2216 3700 - 29 www.pprincess.comThe Twin Towers Hotel Tel: 66 2216 9555 www.thetwintowershotel.comThe Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Tel: 66 2254 1234 www.bangkok.grand.hyatt.comNovotel Siam Square Tel: 66 2209 8888 www.novotelbkk.com




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RATCHAPRASONGOnly a short walk from Siam Square, this area, heavy on glitzy malls, is another haven for high-end consumers. The newly refurbished Central World Plaza is smack dab in the middle of Ratchaprasong. Book-ended by two large department stores, Zen and the Isetan, which specializes in Japanese goods, the white futuristic-looking centre houses a number of international fashion brands, furniture and Thai arts and crafts. Ladies and men’s fashions are primarily found on the ground fl oor, along with a Jim Thompson outlet, a Naraya silk products shop, a Timberland outdoor garb and equipment shop, and plenty of places to buy shoes, luggage, leather goods and CDs and DVDs. The 2nd and 3rd fl oors feature more ladies and men’s fashions, shoes, fabric shops and some restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss the fabulously stocked multi-level B2S stationers.




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


Computers and electronics are found on the 4th fl oor; furniture and home décor on the 5th and kid’s fashions, toys, games, Thai textiles, wooden art, jewellery, traditional clothing and pashima scarves are further up on the 6th fl oor. The 6th fl oor is also home to TK Park, Thailand’s fi rst interactive learning center that’s home to a virtual reality room and a 3D game centre. Central World Plaza also houses a cinema and numerous restaurants on the 7th top fl oor for a bite before or after the show.

Shopping hours: 10am to 10pm daily.

Across the road and sporting a lavish façade of white marble and gleaming chrome is Gaysorn Plaza, (www.gaysornbkk.com), laden with luxury goods and designer labels. The exclusivity of its wares means there is lots of space to roam and few shoppers, which makes for a truly tranquil shopping experience away from the area’s hustle and bustle.

Besides well-known international labels Prada, Gucci, Christian Dior, Fendi, Burberry, Emporio Armani, and Burberry (just to name a few), Gaysorn is also home to Thai fashion houses Fly Now, Senada Theory and Kloset Red Carpet. The mall is also connected to the Chidlom Skytrain station. Shopping hours: 10am to 8pm daily. Restaurants stay open until 9pm each night Just down the street is the three-storey Narai Phand, which is the country’s largest handicraft center. Established in 1937 by the Ministry of Industry as a central distributor of distinctly and exquisitely Thai goods, it’s a splendid place to immerse yourself in the historical legacy of local arts, crafts and clothes. Many of these items are also on sale at both the Chatuchak Market and Suan Lum Night Bazaar, but the maindifference is that all the prices are fi xed at Narai Phand - and it’s air-conditioned!




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The fi rst fl oor is well stocked with mementoes of your visit like richly coloured tapestries, shirts and handbags of 100 percent Thai silk, pillow covers, pewter goblets and hill-tribe handicrafts that cast a spell on shoppers. On the second fl oor, you’ll fi nd plenty of ways to make your living room or offi ce look a good deal more exotic. Rattan furniture, wooden elephant carvings, bronze and brass fi gurines of fi gures from Thai folklore, porcelain tea sets and hand-painted glass are all on sale. The shop stands by their products as authentic. A large sign posted by the escalator warns customers that the shops located in front selling bronze and wooden carvings are in no way connected to the government-sponsored Narai Phand. The shop is open from 10am to 8pm. You can also order products from their web site at www.naraiphand.com/.

Just down the street from here by the hotel of the same name, the Erawan Bangkok offers four fl oors of fi ne dining, featuring 14 different kinds of international cuisines, an array of chic boutiques, as well as spas and wellness centres. It can easily be accessed by a walkway connected to the Chidlom Skytrain station. Shopping hours: 10am to 9pm. Restaurant hours 8am to midnight.

HOTELS AROUND RATCHAPRASONG The Arnoma Hotel Bangkok Tel: 66 2255 3444, 66 2255 3410-9 www.arnoma.comThe Intercontinental Bangkok Tel: 66 2656 0444 www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/bkkhbSwissotel Nai Lert Park Tel: 66 2253 0123 www.bangkok-nailertpark.swissotel.comHoliday Inn Tel: 66 2656 1555 www.holiday-inn.com




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PRATUNAMKnown as the city’s garment district, Pratunam boast a number of malls and tons of street stalls with great deals on clothes and shoes. The new Platinum Mall is located on the busy Phetchaburi Road. While the shiny silvery exterior may tempt many tourists to take a peek, the interior consists of fi ve fl oors of tightly packed, plain-looking shops selling cheap clothing, T-shirts and university uniforms. It’s a draw for Thai merchants and offi ce workers and university students as many items can be bought in bulk for a hefty discount. A few metres down the road is Pantip Plaza, a virtual cornucopia of electronics equipment, computer goods or anything requiring batteries or needing to be plugged into a socket. IT City, located on the 7th fl oor, is an excellent place to sort out all your electronic needs and all goods come with a manufacturer’s warranty. The remaining six fl oors feature everything from computer parts to software, mp3 players, laptops and desktop computers. A short walk across the street from Pantip is Pratunam Market, a sea of stalls selling everything from vibrant handbags, sunglasses and hand-made jewellery to beachwear and affordable souvenirs for the whole family.

HOTELS AROUND PRATUNAM The Amari Watergate Hotel and Spa Tel: 66 2653 9000 www.amari.com/watergateThe Baiyoke Sky Hotel (The Tallest Hotel in Thailand) Tel: 66 2656 3000 www.baiyokehotel.com The Indra Regent Tel: 66 2208 0022 - 33www.indrahotel.com Century Park Tel: 66 2246 7800, 66 2248 2550 - 9www.centuryparkhotel.com




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


SUKHUMVITSukhumvit Road is not only one of the world’s longest roads - it actually turns into a highway that runs all the way to the Cambodia border - but contains some of the city’s most prime real estate, gorgeous parks, offi ce towers, fi ve-star hotels and opulent restaurants. This street pulses with life 24/7. Beginning around Sukhumvit Soi 4, street vendors can be seen hawking elaborate fans, woodcarvings, Buddhist paintings, sporting goods and loads of luggage. Numerous tailors, with cut-rate prices for quality outfi ts, can be seen beckoning tourists to have a suit or dress tailor-made at their shop.




Bo Be Market

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Further down the road, near Sukhumvit Soi 24, and attached to the Phrom Phong BTS station, is the Emporium shopping complex. The contemporary design is fi lled out with hip designer labels like Guess, Chaps, Esprit and Jaspal, making it a favourite hang out for well-heeled teenagers and Bangkok’s elite. Up on the third fl oor, there are two English-language bookstores and a CD Warehouse. Plus there’s a state-of-the-art cinema on the top fl oor and an exclusive Emporium department store.

The Park Food Court, on the top fl oor, is the Emporium’s latest addition with a wide selection of international cuisine all situated in an elegant hassle-free environment. There is also an extensive supermarket and wine and spirits shop on the fl oor.

Regular sales on brand-name furniture and clothing occur during various Thai festivals throughout the year. A tourist card available at the department store entitles shoppers to a 5 to 10 percent discount off regular priced merchandise. Shopping hours: 9am to 9pm

Further up Sukhumvit, on Soi 55, is the cool new Playground! concept store in Soi Thong Lor; it’s a paradigm of Bangkok’s new focus on design and creativity. Modelled after shops like Collette in Paris, you’ll fi nd a hodge-podge of upscale housewares, clothing, CDs and art books all displayed under a sun-fi lled atrium, which houses a huge dog-house tagged with colourful graffi ti. Some of the wares here include designer stationary, beaded jewellery and re-designed jeans by the Thai label Medium-Rare. The top fl oor houses two restaurants serving cool fusion Thai cuisine, an art gallery and auditorium.

HOTELS AROUND SUKHUMVIT The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Tel: 66 2649 8888 www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.comThe Landmark Tel: 66 2254 0404 www.landmarkbangkok.com The Davis Tel: 66 2260 8000 www.davisbangkok.net




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CHATUCHAKWEEKEND MARKETChatuchak is the undisputed champion of all the markets in Bangkok and, dare we say, the world! With more than 15,000 individual stalls sprawling across 35 acres, the market contains goods ranging from locally made handicrafts such as bamboo mats, lamps and other household accessories to religious artifacts, cool clothes, art, antiques and peculiar pets and plants. At fi rst glance the overwhelming display might seem random, but there is some method behind the madness. The outer rim of the market usually features plants, gardening equipment and some used clothing, while the stalls in the inner sections deal in clothing, souvenir items, jewellery and household d?cor. Towards the back and north ends of the market is where most of the exotic plants, fi sh and other animal life is contained. New air-conditioned sections of the market have also appeared in recent years, giving tired shoppers a nice reprieve from the heat. Near the Khamphaeng Phet MRT station are clothing, artwork and antique stalls. There is also the royally sponsored Phu Fa shop that sells handicrafts and some handsome items designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with proceeds from the sales going to fund development-based projects in rural parts of the country. To help you navigate the maze, free maps are available at a booth in the parking lot of Chatuchak (also called “JJ” by Thais) and the colourfully detailed Nancy Chandler Maps can be found at leading bookstores.




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


Besides a map, make sure you bring a bottle of water, a folding fan and your most diplomatic haggling skills. As a rule, the prices in Chatuchak are usually lower than at the other popular tourist markets such as Patpong and the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, and the quality is often substantially better, so it’s best to be a gracious haggler and keep it all in fun. Also, be careful when purchasing antiques as there are a number of fakes wafting around the market. To take a genuine antique out of the country requires a permit, but you will also need a permit if a fake is good enough to fool the customs offi cer. To get the most out of a Chatuchak Market experience, head there early in the morning when the weather is a bit cooler and the crowds a lot lighter. The market is accessible from either the Mo Chit Skytrain station or the subway stops of either Chatuchak or Khamphaeng Phet Shopping hours: Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm; Fridays the market is open to wholesalers, but the public can shop as well. Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7am to 6pm the Garden Plants section is open.




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During daylight hours, the streets around Silom Road are bustling with offi ce workers on their way to a meeting or grabbing a quick bite at one of the many fancy restaurants or street-food vendors in the area. This is Bangkok’s answer to Wall Street. However, at night the area comes alive with street stalls selling well-worn brand names in clothing, wooden candle holders, satiny silk pillow covers, twinkling fairy lights, beaded jewellery, and all sorts of curios. This vibrant area is a haven for tourists in the mood for conspicuous consumption whether of goods, drinks, gourmet food, or all three.

SILOM




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There are also a couple of modern department stores in the area. Robinson’s, located at the mouth of the street, is a breeze to get to if you go via the Silom MRT subway station. It’s a fairly compact centre with jewellery and a Starbucks coffee shop on the ground fl oor, men’s and women’s clothing on the 2nd and 3rd fl oors, as well as sporting goods and housewares up on the 4th and 5th fl oors. Silom Complex is located further down Silom and is accessible by a walkway from the MRT station and the Sala Daeng BTS stop. Here you’ll fi nd the large Central Department Store, which carries whole lines of moderately priced, brand-name clothing, toys, appliances, and footwear for the whole family. The complex also houses some mid-range cafes and snacking places such as Black Canyon Coffee and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. And there’s a food court on the top fl oor with some basic Thai and Japanese food. On the ground fl oor, there are often sales of Thai crafts, along with frequent “sidewalk sales” from the clothing outlets. They’re always a hit with young Thai offi ce workers browsing for the latest bargain. As you go up the escalators you’ll fi nd Bookazine (with a wide range of English books, magazines and newspapers), travel agents, hairdressers and a number of opticians, where shoppers with an ‘eye’ for bargains can pick up trendy frames and lenses for a fraction of the prices back home.

The Tops food market in the basement is a veritable buffet of great tastes, with a wide selection of cheeses, a zesty olive bar and freshly baked German breads. Across the street from the Silom Complex is the infamous Patpong Night Bazaar. While the area is often referred to as Bangkok’s “red-light district,” in many ways it’s more about shopping than sleaze as vendors compete with the music blasting from the many go-go bars along the strip. Brand-name goods in Patpong are mostly knock-offs, even if the quality is usually okay, and the asking prices are greatly infl ated. Again, bargaining is crucial - a good rule of thumb is to divide the vendor’s asking price by half and go from there. The market stays open until around midnight -the street stalls on Silom several hours later - so if you can last that long, you might get a good deal from someone wanting to make that last sale of the day.




Bo Be Market

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On the strip, some of the most coveted items are designer handbags, leather goods, silk dressing gowns, watches, luggage, cheap souvenir T-shirts, bamboo lamps and Thai-style tapestries and religious statues.

A quick stroll from Patpong takes you to a Jim Thompson’s factory sales outlet on Surawong Road (www.jimthompson.com). The legendary manufacturer and promoter of Thai silk has become an institution in Thailand and abroad, with many sales outlets; just a look at the luxuriant silks resplendent in bright colours and intricate patterns will tell you why. Signature items include ties, handbags, scarves,

children’s clothing, T-shirts, cosmetic holders, cushion covers and fabrics for the sofas, beds and curtains. The silk may be exclusive, but the prices are anything but. Ties range from 1,000 baht to 1,350 baht, while a small clutch purse costs only 1,350 baht. T-shirts with colourful prints start at 580 baht. Because the Surawong shop is a factory outlet, prices are lower on some goods. There are a total of 17 Jim Thompson shops in Bangkok, with the most recent branch located on the main fl oor of the Siam Paragon shopping complex.




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SPECIAL BOX




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Located around the corner from Silom Road and across from Lumphini Park is the colourful and eclectic Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Less chaotic and claustrophobic than Chatuchak Market, this huge night bazaar is Bangkok’s equivalent of an all inclusive entertainment and shopping plaza. The outdoor market is packed with about 3,700 shops selling gift items, sa paper, ceramics, silk clothing, home décor and a number of only-in-Thailand products called OTOP. There are also a few stalls featuring stylish and originally designed dresses, handbags, jewellery made from precious stones and re-fi tted denim items. Unlike Chatuchak, Suan Lum follows a fairly well-laid out grid system that’s divided into zones with sois, or lanes, bearing the names of Siam’s old royal capitals like Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lop Buri. In Zones A, B and C you’ll fi nd an array of aromatic goodies, such as handmade candles, soaps and aromatherapy products. For luxurious scented products head to Raan Bai Mai (Ayuthaya Soi 3, B96), the offi cial supplier of the exclusive Banyan Tree resorts. For cheaper products try a small no-name shop (Ayuttaya Soi 9, C263) that carries aromatic oils, burners and incense sticks. Zone D features some funky furniture items, traditional Thai artworks, tapestries and other decorative items to liven up your home. Check out Fabiola Design in Lop Buri, D519 (www.fabioladesign.com) for some hand-designed picture frames and other home decorations. And where else could you fi nd necklaces, candle-holders and even vases made from paper (that’s right, paper) but at Paper Art and Décor (Lop Buri Soi 3 Lot D, www.paperartanddecor.com) ? You can also order from them on the Internet or buy wholesale.

SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


But shopping is far from the only pleasure at Suan Lum. There’s also a mini-spa with refl exology and traditional Thai massages to rub you the right way. Near the entrance is a massive beer garden and food court. On-stage nightly is a cabaret-style show of starring hip young Thai singers and dancers belting out current English and local hits. The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre (for traditional Thai puppetry) and the BEC Tero Hall (for performances by international acts) are other main attractions at the night bazaar.

HOTELS AROUND SILOM Centre Point Saladaeng Tel: 66 2677 6240 - 5 www.centrepoint.comThe Montien Hotel Tel: 66 2233 7060-9 www.montien.comThe Swiss Lodge Tel: 66 2233 5345 www.swisslodge.comThe Tawana Bangkok Tel: 66 2236 0361 www.tawanabangkok.comSofi tel Silom Bangkok Tel: 66 2238 1991 www.sofi tel.com




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The most famous street in the world for young backpackers from all points of the compass and all walks of life, the road is a multicultural experience for shopping and people-watching. It also attracts a lot of trendy young Thais who fl ock here to shop and party at night or on the weekend. In the past few years, the area has undergone a massive facelift and now features a cobblestone-like walking street that is closed to traffi c after 5pm. Street vendors are omnipotent, selling everything from cheap CDs, sunglasses, T-shirts and backpacks to wooden-beaded necklaces and plenty of Bohemian chic. Many young Thai artists come down to hawk their paintings, photographs and cool clothing creations. There are also oodles of travel agents and restaurants: Thai, Italian, Japanese, Indian and Israeli.

KHAOSAN ROAD




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Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


As many shops tend to sell the same types of merchandise it’s worth your while to shop around in order to get the best deal. Telling the vendor that you’ve seen the item elsewhere at a lower price will usually bring the price down. Tailors with made-to-measure deals on suits and dresses are also in abundance, as well as Internet cafes with overseas calling services. Buddy Village is worth a peek as it’s an all-in-one shopping complex of sorts. It features nearly everything found on Khaosan, packed into its own little world. The basement offers some sterling opportunities to pick up some of the precious metal at the Silver Trade Centre. (Around the corner on Thanao Street, there are also a number of silver shops that deal in bulk sales of rings, necklaces and other assorted jewellery items. The quality is high and the prices are low.)

Would you like a permanent souvenir of your trip ? A number of tattoo parlours have set up shop on the strip, like the one at the back of the Chart Guesthouse. Whether it’s a Chinese dragon, an Angkor Wat deity, a butterfl y, or one of the many Thai designs that have become increasingly popular, you can get a new ‘beauty mark’ for very affordable prices. Not to be missed is Soi Rambutri, which runs parallel to Khaosan Road. Lined with leafy green trees, the lane has been enriched by quite a few cool bars and restaurants that offer outdoor seating. Ladies, take note, much of the clothing found on Khaosan can be had on this street for a fraction of the price. For funky jewellery, suede handbags and brand-name clothing, visit Or2K located at 106/4 Rambutri Road. Another unique clothing shop on the strip, T&K Collections (72/2 Rambutri Road), sells vivid retro prints in shocking pinks and azure blues on tank tops, T-shirts, dresses, handbags or anything you want. Shops in and around Khaosan Road open in the morning and close around midnight or 1am.




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HOTELS AROUND KHAOSANBuddy Lodge Tel: 66 2629 4477 www.buddylodge.comThe D&S Inn Tel: 66 2629 0526-8 www.khaosanby.comThe Sawasdee Group Tel: 66 2256 0809, 66 2255 2494-5, 668 9113 5938 www.sawasdeehotels.comNew Siam 2 Tel: 66 2282 2795, 66 2629 0101 www.newsiam.netVieng Tai Tel: 66 2280 5434-45 www.viengtai.comFour Sons Inn Tel: 66 2629 5812 www.foursons-hotel.com




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Khaosan Road


BO BE MARKETThis long-running street market is only a 15-minute drive east of Khaosan Road, and it’s also close to the Hua Lamphong Train Station. While the area is not heavily frequented by tourists, it gives you an authentic feeling for Thai life and offers a few glimpses into old Bangkok. The market is a favourite for Thai merchants who make it a point to get there early. Clothing and other necessities of life are sold wholesale by the dozen or more. It’s great for picking up no-frills clothes and fabrics in bulk, but not if you are looking to buy just one item, in a specifi c size and colour. Part of the market is located in an air-conditioned high-rise, offering a pleasant reprieve from the heat. Many of the fruit and vegetable vendors set up shop early in the morning, though many of the other stalls are open until late at night.

HOTELS AROUND BO BEPrince Palace Tel: 66 2628 1111 www.princepalace.co.th




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


CHINATOWN & PHAHURATBangkok’s Chinatown, a maze of teeming streets by day, and a blaze of neon signs by night, runs along Yaowarat Road and Charoen Krung Road up to the Odeon Circle. A massive, Chinese-style gate marks the entrance to the district, which has been the main trading centre for the Chinese since they were moved from their old site around the Grand Palace in 1792. Yaowarat Road is lined with many gold shops, and if you’re looking for a golden opportunity to pick up necklaces, rings and accessories made from this precious metal, Chinatown is your best bet in Bangkok. For instance, the Tang To Gung gold shop, on the corner of Sampheng Lane and Mangkon Road is a large historic building dating back a century. Like many of the shops it has a sign adorned with gold Chinese characters. For another glimpse and whiff of the past, take a look at the very old Chinese herbal medicine shop diagonally across the street on Sampeang Lane.




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road





Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


Chinatown is a place best explored on foot. In fact, some of it, like the narrow Samphaeng Lane, can only be accessed by pedestrians. While the average tourist may not be interested in purchasing some of the dried fi sh or medicinal herbs on sale here, this historic lane is awash with local colour and opens a window on the past. Nakhon Kasem, formerly called the Thieves Market, is another photogenic slice of Sino-Thai life, peopled by the middle and lower classes. Sandwiched between Boriphat and Chakrawat Roads, this compact square block was once the best source of Thai and Chinese antiques in a fl ea market environment. Today, the market is bulked out with a wide variety of brassware, imitation antiques, Chinese porcelain, musical instruments and car parts.

For all things electric, head to Khlong Thom on Charoen Krung Road (across from Thieves Market). Inside are tiny stalls crammed together selling cheap electronics, parts, VCDss, wires, gadgets and so on. Outside the market, a large tented strip houses second-hand cameras and equipment. Bordering the Chinatown and Phahurat areas is the Old Siam Plaza; it’s a Bangkok-style shopping centre, redolent of yesteryear, which houses numerous shops selling gems and modern fashions, traditional Thai instruments like the bamboo fl ute, as well as cassettes and CDs of Thai music (from classical to contemporary pop), as well as Chinese-style silk pyjamas. All of them make for great gifts with that special Thai touch.

Take a walk all the way down Samphaeng Lane, then along Chakrawat Road and you’ll fi nd Pahurat, also known as Bangkok’s Indian quarter. Although not as large as Chinatown itself, the streets around here are paved with great deals on affordable clothes and shoes. What’s more, it’s the biggest textile market in the capital. The smells of Indian spices and curries wafting out from restaurants, and the shrill sounds of traditional tunes, give the sensory impressions that you’ve taken a detour and somehow wound up in Bombay.




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road





Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


The centerpiece of “little India” is the multi-storey Phahurat Market; it waxes colourful with Indian saris, sandals, silvery bangles and multi-hued tapestries of Hindu idols. But the most sought after goods are the lush fabrics that come in all shades and patterns. Right behind the market is reputed to be the second biggest Sikh temple outside of India, as the majority of the Indians in Bangkok are Sikhs. One of the area’s main attractions is that there are not very many tourists around and down every little lane, or around each corner, is another gem of a shop, where you can stumble across some amazing discoveries. Some shops sell the latest Bollywood fi lms with English subtitles. Mention you’re a fan of the genre and the English-speaking staff will promptly direct you to the latest fi lms featuring all the current Indian heartthrobs and leading ladies. Cassettes and CDs of Indian music, full of mesmerizing tablas and wailing sitars, are also available for a song. To get a full-fl avoured taste of the sub-continent, there are some great nibbles at various eateries. The unassumingly regal Royal India restaurant (392/1 Chakraphet Road) serves up some of the best Northern Indian cuisine in the city. Right next door are a couple of Indian-style sweets shops.

HOTELS AROUND CHINATOWN AND PHAHURATBangkok Centre Hotel Tel: 66 2238 4848 – 57, 66 2238 4980 - 99 www.bangkokcentrehotel.com The Grand China Princess Bangkok Tel: 66 2224 9977, 66 2224 7997 www.grandchina.com. The Shanghai Inn Tel: 66 2221 2121 www.shanghai-inn.com




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


With famous guests like Somerset Maugham and Mick Jagger, and glowing reviews from the world’s most illustrious travel magazines, the Oriental Bangkok (celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2006) enjoys an enviable reputation as the number-one hotel in Southeast Asia. It also boasts a number of exorbitant retail outlets, like Lotus Arts de Vivre, which is a treasure chest of designer jewellery, dazzling paintings, and all that glitters. But if you’re just in the mood for window-shopping, or steeping your senses in the historic ambience, stop by the Author’s Wing for high tea in the afternoon. The hotel is situated on the River of Kings, at the bottom of Oriental Avenue, which is lined with upscale shops selling time-cherished antiques, rosewood furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and Buddhist imagery. Near the hotel, you’ll fi nd the Oriental Place Shopping Arcade at 38 Charoen Krung Road. Much like the stalls at River City, it also deals in fi ne antiques and a wide variety of art from all over Southeast Asia. Many shoppers also take a shine to all the shops selling top-of-the-line jewellery and precious gemstones along this busy street.

CHAROEN KRUNG ROAD




Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road





Bo Be Market

Khaosan Road


Within walking distance is River City. This complex is for serious connoisseurs of artworks and antiques from all over Asia. Around 200 shops, spread over four fl oors, are showcases for ornate betel nut trays from Thailand, Chinese-style vases, wood carvings from Burma, and silverware forged in the kiln of Khmer heritage. Also on offer are treasures from Europe like art deco clocks. On the fi rst Saturday of each month is an auction of art and antiques up on the fourth fl oor. A preview room displaying all the items is open to the public 15 days before the auction date. These objets d’art are also listed in the monthly catalogues given to customers of the Auction House. When there is no auction, the space is usually dedicated to an art exhibition.

HOTELS AROUND CHAROEN KRUNG ROADOriental Bangkok Tel: 66 2659 9000 www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkokThe Shangri-la Bangkok Tel: 66 2236 7777, 66 2236 9952www.shangri-la.com/bangkok The Menam Riverside Tel: 66 2688 1000 www.menamriverside-hotel.com VAT Refunds

In order to claim your VAT refund of 7% you will need to spend at least 2,000 baht per store, per day and fi ll out a P.P.10 form that is supplied by the sales staff. To claim a refund, you have to have spent a total of at least 5,000 baht and the goods must be taken out of Thailand within 60 days of purchase. At the airport, present the VAT forms and receipts at the VAT refund desk in either Terminal 1 or 2. Make sure you do this before checking in and going through customs. Jewellery, watches and gold purchases over 10,000 baht need to be inspected and other purchases may be checked at this time. After going through immigration, head for the VAT refund counter and present your forms to get your refund. Questions concerning these refunds can be directed to the VAT Refund Offi ce at the Bangkok International Airport (662 535 6576-79), or the VAT Refund for Tourist Offi ce (Revenue Department) at 662 272 9387-8 or 662 272-8195-8.

ThailandTravel

Manual2007-2008

Produced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresTour Planning Tour OperatorsAccommodation ContentsMyanmar Vietnam Visa FormalitiesLao PDR CambodiaChinaThailandExploring New Horizons 1

Gatewayto the Lands of the Mekong


List of Tourism OrganizationsDirectoryTour ProgramsMae Sa MaiPang KhaPhra Bat Huai TomMae SariangPang AungAng KhangWat ChanMae Sa PokTung LuangKhun More eBrochuresContentsInthanon 1

TouringThe Royal Project Sites


Regattas in ThailandKeeping a yacht in ThailandMarina facilities Chartering a yacht and visiting the islands Ko Chang & Ko Kut group to Ko Samet Pattaya to Ko Samet The Ko Samui ArchipelagoThe unspoiled West Coast & The SimilansKrabi & Ko Phi Phi More eBrochuresContentsPhuket & Phang-nga BayThailand - a secret no more 1

MarineWonderland


11-20 More eBrochuresContents1-10Biking Tour in World Heritage SitesMuai Thai Floating Market & Khlong Tour Gulf of Thailand Relaxing in Pai Pak Khlong Talad & YaowaratKhon, Hun LakhonLekChatuchak Weekend MarketKhaosan Road The Grand Palace 1



More eBrochuresContentsThe Lost World Conserving NatureA Defensive Citadel Twin CityThe Golden AgeOnce Buried But Never ForgottenPreserving the Precious 1

World Heritage Sitesof Thailand


Lost in Green Excitement Nature Tourism Cultural and Agrotourism Meet the Tribes Code of Conduct List of Tourism Organizations List of the winners Directory of Green Leaf HotelsThailand Green Treasures, Green Paradise More eBrochuresContents 1

Green TourismProduced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresContentsHoneymoon Heaven Anniversaries AboundGowns, Veils,Top Hat and TailsUnique UnionsCeremonial SplendourGoing to the Chapel 1

Weddings &Honeymoons


SIAM SQUARE RATCHAPRASONG PRATUNAM SUKHUMVIT CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET SILOM More eBrochuresContentsCHAROEN KRUNG ROADCHINATOWN & PHAHURATBO BE MARKETKHAOSAN ROADSUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR 1



More eBrochuresContentsLop Buri Phetchaburi KanchanaburiSurinUbon RatchathaniBuri RamNakhon RatchasimaMonument to a Glorious Empire 1

The Ancient Khmer Ruinsof Thailand


More eBrochuresContentsReferences / Service Provider Studying In ThailandBird Watching Cultural Explorations Destinations Climbing DestinationsHiking (Trekking) & Camping Bungee Jumping ClimbingWhite Water RaftingCanoeing, Kayaking and Bamboo RaftingDiving & SnokellingBikingIntroduction 1

Thailandfor the Young& Adventurous


11-20 More eBrochuresContents1-10Biking Tour in World Heritage SitesMuai Thai Floating Market & Khlong Tour Gulf of Thailand Relaxing in Pai Pak Khlong Talad & YaowaratKhon, Hun LakhonLekChatuchak Weekend MarketKhaosan Road The Grand Palace 1



A GUIDE TO THAILAND’S CHIC AND STYLISH HOTELS, EATERIES, ENTERTAINMENTS, WELLNESS AND SHOPPING

More eBrochuresContentsMake it Safe Save Tha-le Thai Links to Dive OperatorsNorth AndamanThe Gulf of Thailand - WestThe Gulf of Thailand - EastWhy Tha-le Thai?Into the Blue World 1

Intothe Blue World


Golf SchoolsOther Golf Courses More eBrochuresContentsNortheastern Region Southern RegionNorthern RegionWestern Region Eastern RegionBangkok & Central RegionGolfing in Thailand 1

GolfProduced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresSpecial Interests ContentsDining Shopping Entertainment and RecreationCommunication ServicesGeneral Tourist InformationHow to Get to ThailandFormalities and Other RegulationsIntroduction 1

Travel GuideProduced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresContentsAway from It AllThe Eastern SeaboardThe Gulf of ThailandThe Andaman CoastSpectacular & Serene 1

Beaches & IslandsProduced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresContentsAway from It AllThe Eastern SeaboardThe Gulf of ThailandThe Andaman CoastSpectacular & Serene 1

Khlong TourCruising the Majestic Waterways


Spa Directory More eBrochuresContentsLean Cuisine Spa Study Regular RejuvenationPamper Pleasures & Health MeasuresNatural WondersWhere to Enjoy a Spa Spa SeductionTime to Unwind 1

Spa & BeautyProduced by Promotional Material Production Division,Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution.www.tourismthailand.org E/OCT 2007The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice.

More eBrochuresContentsTropical/Cultural Convalescence Warm Wellness Wishes DirectoryPampering Professionalism Popular Procedures Good Care Everywhere/Hospital HolidayThe Pulse of Thai Health CareHealth Tourism 1

The HealthCapital of Asia


More eBrochuresLearning to cook Thai cuisine ContentsAlternative Diets Street Foods in Bangkok Thai fruitsFusion FoodDiscover the non-Thai culinary delightsThe Amazing Thai dishesThai herbsDiscover the Thai culinary delights 1

Gourmet’s Paradise


We h a v e m o r e e B r o c h u r e s a v a i l a b l e a t w w w. e B o o k To u r i s m T h a i l a n d . o r g .



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nearby suan lum night

silom road

citys shopping strip

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patpong road