Anthsusa

Hi,

An article in the NY Times reads: 3. Visit a Thai optician. When headed to Thailand, bring along an optometrist’s prescription — or simply know your prescription — and order contact lenses or glasses at a fraction the cost you would pay at home, said Tida Harnpanpongse of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. In fact, she added, you don’t need a prescription for much of anything, which can come in handy if you forget a medication or get sick on the road and are “skilled” at self-diagnosis. Ms. Harnpanpongse also mentioned that gender reassignment surgery is also a bargain in Thailand, but maybe try out the glasses first.

My question to those who know Bangkok, what optical shops do you recommend? How long does it take to get them done?

Thank you

yestravel

I don't have any shops to recommend, but I did check out getting glasses. I took my prescription which is apparently a bit more complex. I was told 5 days in the few places I checked out.

rhkkmk

you can get glasses overnight for simple scripts, but more complicated take a few days... my wife's transitional lenses take about 5 days..

there are many optical shops around bkk and elsewhere... the malls are full of them--paragon especially...

i use a small shop near khao san road which is owned by famous guide tong's husband.... i bring scripts to him or he can read my script from my current glasses...


sangtong optical; 191 chakrapongse rd; banglumpoo--Tel: 2803449
ask for chang--he speaks english..
vietnam is another place to get glasses, and very cheaply...

rhkkmk

and the savings on frames and lenses can be exceptional

live42day

My friend had hers done in Phuket last month. She did not have her perscription but showed her glasses and then he did a few eye tests and she had the glasses the next day. It was 1/4 of the price of buying them in Canada.

Kathie

Cheryl has been buying her glasses from Paris Mikki in Siam Paragon for years. She always gets the highest quality progressive lenses so must allow 5-7 days. Even with designer frames, the total cost is less than half the US price. You save even more with a simple prescription.

The optical shops will gladly test your eyes, and that is included in the price of your glasses.

Anthsusa

Thanks for the replies. I am going to start looking in different websites for the model I want..

S.

Kathie

You will probably need to chose from the frames each store has available. Ordering frames will take more time.

live42day

yes, the store that we went to had very limited to choose from. If you give yourself more time you have much more to choose from