Shopping in Thailand

Thailand is one of the best places in Asia for shopping and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets.

Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, pottery with celandine green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand, pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer ware, pewter ware, bamboo and wood artifacts and bronze ware.

Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of days, yet the standard is very high.

Duty-free shops are located throughout the country and items can be purchased there and delivered to the airport in time for the departure flight. Value Added Tax of 7% can be refunded on goods bought in shops labeled 'VAT Refund for Tourists', where there is a minimum transaction of ฿ 2,000 including VAT.

VAT Refund Application for Tourists forms are completed at the time of purchase and it is necessary to show one's passport. Cash refunds of minimum ฿5,000 can be obtained in the airport departure hall and often the goods purchased must also be shown.