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Thailand has become one of Southeast Asia's most popular shopping centres. You
find not only Thailand's well-known host of unique handicrafts, but
also a superb choice of luxury buys. All items are distinguished by
fine Thai workmanship and of modern technological skills.
The variety of what to buy is fully matched by an exciting choice of where
to buy. From the ease of modern air conditioned shopping plazas and
department stores to the traditional markets and street stalls, there
is every scope for both the browser and the dedicated bargain-hunter.
In addition in Bangkok, which naturally offers the greatest wealth of
shopping opportunities, other cities and resorts provide excellent scope,
notably for regional handicrafts, such as woodcarving and other typical
northern handicrafts in Chiang Mai, or nielloware products in the southern
city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Traditional Handicrafts
Thailand is renowned for its traditional handicrafts. Produced in variety of
designs, these make not only ideal souvenirs gifts, but are also perfect
for design and home decoration.
Royal Crafts
No finer examples of craftsmanship can be found then those produced under
royal patronage. In 1976,Her Majesty Queen Sirikit sought a way both
to give rural Thais alternative sources of income and to revive some
of the Kingdom's traditional crafts. The result was the establishment
of the Foundation for Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related
Techniques, popularly known as SUPPORT. The project has flourished and
today craftsmen working under SUPPORT guidance produce a wonderfully
rich collection of many kinds of traditional handicrafts.
Among items available are exquisite hand-woven silks, including the famous
tie-dyed mat mee silks of the Northeast;elegant yan liphao woven handbags,
Thai cottons and many other reasonably priced souvenirs. These SUPPORT
handicrafts can be purchased from the Foundation's chain of exclusive
outlets, known as Chitrlada Shops, and all proceeds go to the on-going
development of the project.
Rattan and Wicker Work
Thailand has earned a fine reputation for its high quality rattan and wicker
furniture. Both elegant and durable, these items are available in a
wide variety of designs and styles. Decorative objects in rattan and
wicker work display an excellent standard of workmanship, and are ideal
for lending a light tropical touch to any interior decor.
Nielloware
Practiced in southern Thailand for hundreds of years, nielloware is
the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with delicate designs
filled with a metal alloy. Workmanship of high quality today finds expression
in a number of beautiful nielloware trays, boxes, vases and other items
widely available in Bangkok and in the South, notably in the province
of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Brass & Bronzeware
Shoppers have long recognized the excellent value of made-in-Thailand
brass and bronze-ware. Techniques combine traditional methods with modern
innovations, such as silicon coating to prevent tarnishing, while designs
similarly reflect both the old and the new. Especially popular are fine
cutlery sets, bowls and other tableware, as well as brass sculptures
of figures and animals in classical and contemporary styles.
Lacqueware
Very Oriental and very attractive are lacquer ware bowls, boxes, tray
and numerous other items for interior decoration or for souvenirs. Native
to Chiang Mai and the North, the craft involves coating split bamboo
or wood with lacquer, then adding intricate hand-painted designs. Typically,
objects are produced in either gold-on-black lacquer or yellow and green
on a red-brown background
Silverware Click for enlarge
Silver-beating is another craft traditional to Chiang Mai. Bowls and boxes with
skillfully worked patterns are popular buys, while vases and other ornaments in
both old and modern designs are available particularly in Chiang Mai
and Nakhon Phanom but also in Bangkok and else where.
Pewterware
Like silver, pewter is fashioned with great skill by Thai craftsmen, and
the smooth, silky finish of this attractive alloy is often enhanced by delicate decoration.
Among pewter ware items are plates, boxes, vases and pocket flasks.
CeramicsClick for enlarge
Pottery of consistently high artistic value has been produced throughout the
Thai history. Various styles, both indigenous and Chinese-influenced,
have predominated at various periods to leave a rich legacy. So today's
shopper is presented with a full choice of both faithful reproductions
of traditional styles and modern wares. Among the former are the distinctive
sea-green celadons, Chinese blue-and-white and the colourful Bencharong
wares which are unique to Thailand. Modern ceramics are alsoproduced
in an exciting range of contemporary designs which exemplify the continued
vitality of the craft. Whether old or new in style, Thai ceramics are
available in many forms -- from dinner services and bowls to vases and
lamp bases, from small figurines to huge glazed water jars perfect for garden decoration.
Fabulous Fabrics
The Orient has always been famous for its textiles, and Thailand in particular
has a rich tradition of producing fine hand-woven fabrics. Best known
is Thai silk, which enjoys worldwide renown and is perhaps the most
popular of all the Kingdom's shopping treasures, but cotton and batik
are also available
Thai SilkClick for enlarge
Produced in countless colours and eye-caching designs, Thai silk has traditionally
been used for clothing, and is sold both by the length and as ready-to-wear fashions.
With enhanced production in recent years, Thai silk is also now produced in heavier
weights ideal for draperies, upholstery and other household furnishing.
Additionally, the rich fabric is further used for place mats and napkins,
neckties, scarves and other accessories, as well as exquisite coverings
for a whole range of souvenirs from jewelry boxes to notebooks.
Mat Mee Silk
A unique style of Thai silk, known as Mat Mee, is a handicraft traditional
to the northeast region of the country. Produced from tie-dyed silk
threads, the fabric is hand-woven in a variety of beautiful designs,
typically distinguished by intricate patterns and subtle colours.
Once a neglected craft, Mat Mee silk has been revitalized in recent
years through rural development projects initiated by Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit. Today, Mat Mee enjoys an unprecedented vogue as a fashion material
favored by Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family.
Cotton & BatikClick for enlarge
Thai cotton has gained an enormous reputation over recent years and is today
as famous and as popular as silk. A fabric of fine texture and durable
quality, Thai cotton is produced in a broad range of colours, prints
and embroidered designs, and is found in a wide variety of goods from
clothing to bedspreads, table linen, cushion covers, rugs, bags and more.
Notable among cottons products are hill tribe handicrafts and batik designs.
Woven in traditional patterns by the tribal people of the North and
typically displaying bold designs and often lavish embroidery, hill
tribe cottons make and especially attractive buy. Difference in style
but equally distinctive are original batiks crafted at several studios
in Bangkok.
Gems
Bangkok offers many opportunities to purchase polished gems. Rubies and sapphires
are indigenous stones, but virtually all coloured gems, as well as,
increasingly, diamonds, are also available. Shoppers should exercise
caution and know what they are looking for. Remember, there are no bargains
in the gem business, or so few as to be negligible -- good and cheap
simply don't go together when it comes to precious stones. But what
the careful shopper can expect is excellent value for money.
Jewellery
Jewellery-making facilities have expanded rapidly in recent years, and today Thailand
ranks as the world's second biggest jewellery exporter. Cutting skills are matched by creative
flair in jewellery design and setting, affording the shopper a splendid choice of quality items
in a wide price range. Alternatively, many leading jewellers will also accept commissions for
custom-made pieces. In addition to jewellery, gemstone pictures and other decorative items are
to be found.
Gold
Good and inexpensive craftsmanship, combined with standard gold prices, make
Thai gold articles excellent value. Handcrafted chains, bracelets, earrings,
pendants and other articles are all widely available at the many specialist
gold shops in Bangkok, as well as at jewellery stores.
Art
Fine art has been produced in Thailand since the birth of the nation, while the
Kingdom's neighbors similarly have a rich tradition of creating exquisite
artworks. Modern art also flourishes today, and both the collector and
the occasional shopper will discover plenty to catch the eye.
Antiques
Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys. If you spend
the time to look around and shop wisely it is possible to find items
of museum quality. There is an export ban on certain pieces, while some
others require an export license, but any reputable dealer will advise
on restrictions and any necessary documentation.
There are many quality antique shops around Bangkok, but the greatest concentration
is found at River City Shopping Complex, on New Road, where there is
also an antiques auction on the first Saturday of every month.
PaintingsClick for enlarge
The Thai art scene is vibrant and there are numerous shops offering original
works by local artists. Subjects range from renderings of classical
temple mural and manuscript paintings to landscapes, typical Thai scenes
and contemporary works of high aesthetic value. Art lovers should also
remember that local framing is inexpensive and of high quality.
In addition to several art galleries around Bangkok, exhibitions are held regularly
at various leading hotels and other notable venues. For details, check
the "What's On" column of the local English language newspapers.
Clothing & Accessories
Clothing presents many excellent buys, both men and women's fashions off-the-peg
and tailor made. A whole range of accessories are also to be found,
especially leather goods which offer particularly good value for money.
Ready-To-Wear
Thailand is one of the world's leading manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing,
producing garments not only for local shops and department stores but
also for export markets. The staple of this booming business was formerly
T-shirts and jeans, but while these still offer good value, product
lines now include a whole range of fashions which meet international
standards of workmanship and design originality. Fashion boutiques are
found in every shopping mall, while cheaper clothing is available from the street stalls.
Custom Tailoring
Tailor-made clothing in Thailand is as affordable and as easy as buying off the peg.
There are literally thousands of establishments, small and large, which can produce the perfect
fit in virtually whatever style you want in just a few days or even hours. Tailors may suggest
patterns or copy any you care to provide, and you can choose from a wide selection of materials,
both locally-made and imported.
Thai Dolls & ToysClick for enlarge
The art of doll-making in Thailand dates back hundreds of years and remains very much alive
today. Doll collectors will delight in a broad assortment of detailed and beautifully crafted
figures of classical dancers in full costume, hill tribe people in their traditional colourful
dress and rural folk. For children there is a variety of soft cuddly dolls manufactured
according to the strictest international safety requirement.
Leather Goods
Complementing Thailand's clothing industry is an extensive production
of quality leather goods. Renowned for their durability and beautiful
designs are shoes, either ready made or made-to-order, leather jackets,
belts, handbags, briefcases, luggage, wallets and a host of other accessories
Specialist leather shops and street stalls, offer a staggering variety
of products at very attractive prices.
Flower & Fun Buys
Not least
in Thailand's shopping kaleidoscope are a host of pleasure and fun buys,
ranging from fabulous fresh orchids to artificial flowers, toys and
an array of inexpensive items found on market stalls.
Thai Orchids
Thailand
is blessed with a huge variety of orchids Through meticulous cross-breeding,
plants previously found only in their natural forest habitat have been
domesticated and now more than a thousand species are available from
specialist orchid farms.
Magnificent colours and durable beauty make orchids a very popular purchase. Specially
packaged flowers, complete with water supply, are easily transported
and long retain their freshness and beauty. Orchids may be bought at
many shops in Bangkok and at Bangkok International Airport.
Artificial
With nimble
fingers and a sure eye for beauty, Thais are adept at producing super
artificial plants and flowers. In what is a rapidly growing export industry,
a wonderful variety of faithful replicas and original imaginative creations
are available. All are entirely hand-made and relatively inexpensive,
and make splendid items for home decoration.
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