Going to Bangkok in early September - can you tell me are there any knock off market malls like in Beijing or Shanghai. We are staying at the Conrad Hilton.

Also what are must sees that are not known by tourists.

Any info is appreciated

Knock offs can be found at MBK Mall. There are varying degrees of quality of the knock offs. Beware of what you are buying. You will also see knock offs being sold by street vendors. The highest quality knock offs are sold at a noon time market in the Silom area. I go with my Thai friend, so I could not tell you exactly how to get there, other than it is the Sala Daeng skytrain stop area.

The Conrad is in a fairly good location for walking to the skytrain to get to the shopping area.

I hate to give "must-sees" because some people's idea of what constitutes must-sees would not be on the same list as other people's must-sees. Bangkok is a real gem! Just start walking down some of the narrow sois (a soi is a small street), especially the ones that run off of Sukhumvit Road... right around soi 3 to about soi 18. Even numbered sois are on one side of the major street, odd numbered sois are on the other side. There is lots of activity along soi 11, and soi 8. Small pubs, eateries, where locals and expats hang out. Soi 4 is an interesting and often rather sleazy soi (also called Nana). Going to soi 4 depends on if you want to see what really goes on in Bangkok!!

The most rewarding thing for me (and I just returned from Bangkok two days ago) is to connect with Thai friends. My best Thai friend has a bar on soi 11.

Come back with more questions when you can tell us the sort of things you like to do.

Carol

I don't know that there are any "must-sees" not known by at least some travelers. However, we can certainly recommend less-visited places. So, what are you interested in? Wats? House museums? SE Asian Arts? Food? something else? Without some hints as to your interests, we can't recommend places you might enjoy.

By the way, while you can buy knock-offs in Bangkok, China or New York, you might consider items by local Thai designers instead.

Good suggestion, Kathie. As a rule, I do not buy knock off bags. I love seeing those made by the local designers. They are good quality, and they are something you will not see everyone else carrying when you go home!

there is a small bag shop in silom market on silom rd that has nice bags designed locally....it was written about recently here.. also in OP Place behind the oriental hotel...

many of the best knock-offs are found behind closed doors....or ask vendors along the street for the best quality ones and they will send someone to fetch them...

in back of the conrad there used to be a daily market in a large open area that had all sorts of stuff for sale at noon....ask the doorman also and the conceirge for suggestions and anyone you meet at the hotel

Thank you so much for all your help! Does anyone know how to say NO MEAT in Thai??? We are vegetarians

Is it pretty safe to eat on the street - Can you tell me do yu get good prices on local designers and about how much is acceptable for bartering?

I know 2 things we are looking for are gold amulets with buddah, pashminas and a couple of small statues of Ganesh

What is the best material or different material to buy statues in?

Do you eat seafood? Is fish sauce (a common ingredient in Thai food) acceptable to you? Do you eat eggs and dairy? We need more details to be helpful to you.

There are differing opinions on street food. If you opt to eat street food, make sure you are eating something fresh off the grill - still hot - and consider the sanitation of any eating utensils. Pre-cut fruits sold on the street are risky. While you can't guaranteed that the vendor washed their hands before preparing your food, do wash your own hands before eating. Read about food and water precautions here http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...diarrhea_g.htm
If you choose to violate the precautions, do so consciously, assessing the risks. Note that Cipro is no longer a drug of choice for treating travelers diarrhea in Thailand.

When you say bartering, I assume you mean bargaining. Bartering means trading one object or service for another. Bargaining is negotiating a price with a vendor. There is no firm rule about how much you can get an item discounted. In some places, there is no bargaining; in street stalls, you might start at 25-50% off. If you bargain for something you are expected to buy it if you reach a mutually agreeable price.

You can get good prices on local designer goods, but they are not cheap.

You can find 22-24k gold items in Chinatown. Note that they are very soft, and will not hold up to rough wear. You will no doubt find small Buddha amulets. Ganeesh is a Hindu deity, not Buddhist. While you may find trinkets with the image of Ganeesh, you may or may not find Ganeesh statues of any quality.

Pashimas are not made in Thailand. You will find them at some stores, and no doubt in some street markets. In street markets, it's buyer beware. Can you tell the real thing from a synthetic?

Statues come in a wide variety of materials. There is no "best."

Besides MBK and the Chatchak Weekend Market (off a Skytrain stop) you will find street vendors selling stuff in the Patpong area, Phetchaburi Road and on lower Sukhumvit Road. You can use the Skytrain to take you to the Patpong area and to Sukhumvit Road (Nana stop) for street vendors.

If you take the Skytrain to the Asia Hotel you can walk down to Phetchaburi Road. There you will find lots of street vendors, mini garment center in the area leading up to the Baiyoke Tower Hotel and surrounding shops. The Panthip computer mall is on Phetchaburi Road where you will find all sorts of computers, electronics, cell phones and knock-off movies.

For something unusual how about looking over this link:

http://www.bangkok.com/funky-place/index.html

Good luck.

Hi there, no i do not eat fish, beef, chicken, etc - strictly dairy and vegetarian.

I know Ganeesh is Hindu but there is a big temple in Bangkok so i thought we would be able to find a couple small stautues.

Thanks for all your help

hi - still waiting for help regarding how to say NO MEAT in Thai? Thanks

Vegetarian = "Kin Jay"
I don't eat meat = "Mia Kin Nuae Sad"

You can find a statue of Ganeesh in a lot of places in Thailand as a lot of Thai do pay homage to Ganeesh. Ask the concierge at your hotel where to find the nearest shop.

thank you Hanuman!!! We leave on Thursday!!!