Top Rated Things to Buy in Thailand

 

The shopping in Thailand is some of the best in the world. Quality is great, the choice is amazing and prices are cheap. If you come on a trip to Thailand though, what should you buy? Out of all the choices you will have, what are the best things to buy and why?

 

Here are the top things you should consider buying while you're in Thailand.

 

  THAI SILK - It would be a shame not to buy some Thai silk when you visit Thailand. Thai silk is known world-wide as the best in the world. The quality of Thai silk is excellent, the weave is beautiful and the colors and designs are gorgeous. In Thailand, you can buy silks in either plain colors or hand-painted. You can buy silk shirts, silk jackets, silk skirts, silk scarves, silk shawls, silk purses, silk wallets, silk bags, silk pajamas, silk cushion covers, silk tablecloths - you name it, it's available in Thailand in silk. One of the best places for silk is Jim Thompson House. Jim Thompson House sells top-quality silk products, at a much higher price than most other places in Thailand, but still much cheaper than in the USA or Europe. There are several Jim Thompson House branches, but most of the large malls have one so they're easy to find. For cheaper silks but that are still good quality, check out Mahboonkrong Mall, Chatuchak Market or any of the silk shops scattered all over Bangkok. You can also have clothing made to measure in silk, in any color and any design. Thai silk products include bags, pillow cases, beddings and drapes among others.

 

GOLD, JEWELRY AND GEMS - Thailand has become one of the world hubs for gold, jewelry and gem stones gem mines, especially for rubies. Thailand is now a world supplier of jade and sapphire. A lot of striking pieces of jewelry are usually on sale in markets that are scattered all over Thailand. If you have a particular design or cut in mind, you can even ask the jeweler to make a copy for you. There are also jewelry pieces that are made of pearls. Pearl farms are scattered all over Thailand but are concentrated in certain places like Ranong and Phuket.

 WOOD CRAFTS – Wood carvings are also delightful. The detailed carvings done on various pieces of furniture are enough proof of the expertise and talent of the different craftsmen of Thailand.  Wood crafts come in the form of huge and bulky furniture, wooden animals, wooden palaces or temples, etc. Some pieces of furniture are made of rosewood, rattan, bamboo, etc. These wooden crafts can be custom made and some shops like the ones in Bangkok and Chiang Mai can even ship to other countries.

 

 BATIK & COTTON – Aside from Thai Silk, it would also be nice to buy some cotton or batik products.  Cotton products of Thailand were produced by certain locals or tribal people.  Some nice pieces were even carefully embroidered using differently colored threads.

CERAMICS & POTTERY - Thailand is also known for different ceramic products and pottery that bear elaborate designs.  These products also come in different colors, shapes and sizes all throughout the kingdom. This country produces sea green Celadon and the Benjarong style porcelain that exhibit up to five colors.

 LACQUER PRODUCTS – Lacquer ware is all over Thailand and very beautiful. These products are usually made of bamboo or teak wood and then lacquered through a very long process to create brightly colored, shiny objects that shimmer in the light. You can buy lacquered trays, boxes, table mats, bowls, cups, vases, ornaments, even candlestick holders. There are many lacquer factories in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Bangkok. You can also buy lacquer ware at Chatuchak Market, the Night Bazaars in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and any number of department stores and shops all over Thailand.

APPAREL OR CLOTHING – It would also be nice to shop for clothes while in Thailand.  For sure, stalls and stores that sell different clothing items would be scattered all over the city like in flea markets, street vendors, hypermarkets, and the leading department stores.  Prices range from the most affordable to the middle range and up to the luxurious ones.  Some international label brands even have factories in Thailand where the actual products are sewn together in different clothing factories in Thailand.  If you feel that you cannot find what you’re looking for then you can head to the nearest tailor and have clothes custom made for you.

 

 THAI ORCHIDS – A lot of the world’s best looking orchid variety can be found in Thailand.  Thai orchids come in various colors and sizes. Transportation of these orchids is also not a problem. Orchids can be packed together with portable water containers. A lot of flower shops offer these to tourists and it is possible to purchase Thai orchids at the airport of Bangkok.