Shopping Tips

Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed prices, but at most of others bargaining is acceptable and expected; some department stores will even offer a discount on expensive items like jewellery and fine furniture.� No fixed rules can be given on the process depending as it does on the bargainer’s skill and the shopkeeper’s mood, but the final price may be reduced as much as 30% to that first quoted.� An important point to keep in mind is that Thais admire good manners and a sense of humour and tend to be put off by a loss of temper.� Providing you have the time, a good general rule is to make a survey of several shops selling the sort of items you want before coming to a final decision.

VAT Refund

Visitors entering the Kingdom on tourist visas are entitled to refunds of the 7% value-added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased at shops and department stores displaying “VAT Refund for Tourists” signs. The refund may be claimed if the claimed amounts in all P.P.10’s have been totaled 5,000 baht or over. Tourist is eligible to receive P.P.10 form when the total purchase of 2,000 baht or over is made from the same store on the same date. Before checking in at the international airport (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Utapao), tourist must show your purchases, completed P.P.10 form and tax invoices to the Customs Officer for inspection. Certain luxury goods must be shown to an excise official. Refunds may be in bank draft form or credited to a credit card.� For more information, please contact the VAT Refund for Tourists Office, Tel: 0 2272 9388, 0 2272 8195-8 or www.rd.go.th/vrt/engindex.html�

Procedure on VAT Refund for Tourists
At the store
1. Shop at stores displaying "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign.
2. Spend at least 2,000 baht per store per day.
3. Present your passport and ask for a P.P.10 form (VAT Refund Application Form) immediately on the purchase date.
4. The total value of purchases (per person) as combined from all P.P.10's shall be at least 5,000 baht before you are eligible to claim a VAT refund.
At the airport
5. Let the Custom Officers check the purchased goods before you check in and have them sign all P.P.10's on the departure date.
6. Bring all P.P.10's and original tax invoices to claim your VAT refund at the VAT Refund Office after the Immigration Checkpoint.
7. Jewelry, gold ornaments, watches, glasses and pens, of which the value is 10,000 baht or over, shall be re-inspected at the VAT Refund Office again.
8. The purchased goods are required to be taken out of the country within 60 days since the purchase date through the International Airports.

Where to shop in Bangkok

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets, but offers many areas throughout the city affording ample choice and easy access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping districts.

• Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong
  Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza, All of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the Central World Plaza and Narayana Phand Pavillion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Ploenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mah Boon Krong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.
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• Silom-Surawong-Patpong
  Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market
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• Silom-Mahesak-New road
  Silom leads into New Road which parallel the Chao Phraya River, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex.
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• Sukhumvit
  Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and Soi 21 (Asoke) and along shortcuts between Asoke and Ekamai.
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• Chinatown
  Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok’s Chinatown offers a profusion or gold shops as well as two nearby traditional shopping places, Ban Mo Jewellery Street and Phahurat ClothMarket.
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• Bang Lamphu
  Situated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.
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• Pratunam-Phetchaburi
  A highlight in the distinct is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok’s biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.
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• Baiyoke Tower
  Located next to Bangkok’s tallest hotel building, Baiyoke Tower is one of the city’s renowned garment centres.
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• Nailert Market
  Situated close to Pratunum Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.
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• Bo-Be Market
  Situated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city’s renowned ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail.
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• Bangkok International Airport
  Centre for an extensive range of shops offering a full selection of Thailand’s top buys.
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• Chatuchak Weekend Market
  Located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between—a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. Chatuchak Weekend Market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.

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Shopping & Department Stores�