So what's the deal with the bargaining. Is it expected. How much bargaining is not too much. I want to make sure we are not insulting to the sales people. I'm terrible at it but my CBO ( Chief Bargaining Officer) Robin is awesome. Just want to know when and where to reign her in. LOL thanks for any tips.

At most stores bargaining is expected. If not, they will tell you it's a set price. Following the advice in "Pleasures and Treasures of Thailand", I try to participate in the bargaining process as a collaborator rather than an adversary. The calculator is an often used tool. One way to begin is to inquire if there's a discount. They will knock something off the price. You counter with a figure that's reasonable but not too much. Then the counter demand and counter offer. It can be amusing as long as you remember that it's not a battle, but a conversation. You'll get more comfortable after a while.

Gpanda is so right. Bargaining is part of the social discourse. Treat it as such. Smile, you can be firm, but never show anger as it's socially unacceptable.

Thanks for the input. Is there a certain percentage off that is a good opening. Like in Morocco they give a really high price expecting you to offer at least 1/2. Is it the same there. Also I'm assuming more items from same store or stall dictates more bargaining for a discount. Also while I'm here. We plan on doing an all day shopping extravaganza on a Sunday. Starting with Chatuchak in the morning and then onto MBK and Siam. Does that sound like a good plan? Oh, sorry one more question. Are shoes available in small sizes. I'm assuming Thai woman have small feet being petite. I have small feet size 5 and have a hard time in Europe with most sizes starting the equivilant of a 6. Thanks again in advance for any responses.

Start at 50%. They love the thrill of bargaining, especially at your markets. At the malls, of course it isn't appropriate, as the stores have "set prices." If you go to MBK, back to what I call the catacombs, you can bargain as much as you like.

Try on shoes. While Thai woman may have small feet, they are wider sizes. While I can buy flip flops and sandals there, I find other shoes are too wide for me.

Thanks Simpson and Kathy.

tons of shoes...my wife wears size 6 and has no problem...most she finds are too narrow however???

with only a short visit i would not waste time going to weekend market...instead i would go to the fashion outlet near to the amari watergate hotel...

If you are really going on a shopping extravaganza, then you might want my post about BKK shopping. I'll paste it here.

You asked about a central shopping district. YES, there is one. It's all basically along one street. It begins at the National Stadium skytrain station (the other end of the skytrain line that you would take from the river hotels, by the Shangri-La). MBK (MaboonKrong) is located right at this station. Start at MBK and then it's very easy to walk from mall to mall right along the skytrain route and on the many crosswalks above the Bangkok traffic!

Just across from MBK (diagonally) is Siam Discovery/Siam Center. You will enjoy both of these malls, I think. Both are several floors with shops you don’t find other places. There is a Starbucks if you arrive earlier than the shops are opening. Across the "fountain" area from Siam Center is the Siam Paragon mall. Very upscale. The food court in the basement level is fantastic!! Do give it a try when out shopping. The Exotique Thai store on the 4th floor has some lovely items for souvenirs/gifts. Also, there is a very nice Jim Thompson store on the first floor.

If you leave Siam Paragon, you can either take the skytrain one stop, or walk (easiest to do in my opinion… just use the walkway underneath the skytrain) to the next mall... Central World Plaza. It is on the same side of the street as Siam Discovery/Center/Paragon. Central World mall also has many shops that are not in the other malls. One of my favorites is NaRaYa, for cute cosmetic bags, wallets, purses, made out of fabrics (not silk).

Directly across the street from Central World is a very upscale mall called Gaysorn Plaza (again, same SIDE of the street as all the others). I have never really found much in this mall, although the Thai crafts on the 4th floor are nice. Look BEHIND Gaysorn and you will see the Thai Craft Center (NariPhand). Prices are much better here. If you look in the basement lever, you will find a “market” atmosphere where haggling is expected!!

Now, a little bit further down the street beyond Gaysorn(past the Bangkok Holiday Inn) is a wonderful department store called Central. This one is called Central "ChitLom" because it is connected to, and located at, the ChitLom skytrain station. I always enjoy this department store. One of my favorite hair dressers in Bangkok is in a small beauty shop in a little walkway just past “The Little Kitchen” restaurant. OD does my hair just about every time I’m in Bangkok. He speaks good English and is very kind.

If you take the skytrain a few more stops further down the SAME STREET, you will find the Emporium mall. The Emporium department store gets good reviews. I also like a small restaurant there called Greyhound. The Emporium has a nice selection of shops.

Jim Thompson silk is really GORGEOUS stuff!! I'm sure you will fall in love with it. Furnishings, fabrics, scarves, and the most BEAUTIFUL handbags and cosmetic cases EVER. You will find a JT department at Central Chitlom store along with a JT store at many of the better hotels; and there is also a shop located at ZEN department store at Central World Plaza, to name just a few of the places where it can be found. I'd really try to find the time to take a look at JT stuff. Plus, there is a new location at Paragon mall. If you like what you see, you might just venture out to the JT Outlet. It is past the last skytrain stop (On Nut) where you would take a taxi. The outlet is about 4 or 5 floors. There is a lot of fabric, not quite so many clothing and accessories items, although the 4th floor is fun to check out!!

I won't go into the many shopping markets where you haggle over prices and buy things very cheap, although the Weekend Market at Chatuchak is certainly entertaining... although HOT and CROWDED on a Saturday morning. Chatuchak is located at the END of the "other" skytrain line at Mo Chit station. (There are TWO skytrain lines and they intersect at SIAM PARAGON area) Another option for getting to the weekend market is the subway line. If you get off of the subway at the station AFTER the one that is called Chatuchak Park (or something like that), you will exit the subway station directly INSIDE the weekend market! Couldn’t be easier! Taxi back to your hotel if you have lots of bags from a successful day at the weekend market and are laden with goodies! Oh, and there is a new JJ Mall, located just outside the Chatuchak grounds. It’s worth a stop if you go to the market, but otherwise I don’t think I’d make a special trip out here at another time. Just my own opinion.

I believe SuanLum is still going strong. I was just by there not more than 3 weeks ago and it was still in business. I did not stop to shop but it's a fun night bazaar. The Joe Lewis puppet theater is located here, as well as a huge ferris wheel. This market is more pleasant than the weekend market, in my opinion, because it is in the evening when the temp has dropped a bit. Plus, there is a very lively food/entertainment complex where you can sit and relax! The selection is not quite so large as Chatuchak, however. And maybe a little bit more expensive.

BTW, if you are traveling with kids, they just might enjoy going to a very unique movie theater!! At Siam Discovery mall, top floor, you will find the Gold Class Theater. There are only about 30 seats in the place. Each one is a lazyboy-type recliner. Some have massage built in. You get footies, blankets, pillows, etc. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO SEE A MOVIE!!! I strongly recommend it. The cost is so minimal when compared to the US. If NYC had a theater like this, you'd pay $35 easy... I think it might cost you $10 in Bangkok. Even if the movie is a dud, it's fun to view it at the Gold Class theater!

Enjoy your trip! Enjoy your shopping adventure in Bangkok!

Carol





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WOW, Thanks Carol! OMG I am sooooo psyched. This sounds like paradise for an admitted shopaholic like myself. We plan on the entire day Sunday for shopping. Sun up to sun down with really great nassages and facials to end the day. A real girls day out! No kids on this trip. I don't have any. LOl

bkk will require more than sun up to sun down for shopping....haha