Nancy Chandler's map of Chatachak has a stall labeled "Benjarong." Is this for real or not? If so, are the prices any different?

Just wonderful before I look.

Sandra

Even tho' Benjarong porcelain is wonderful, I really meant "wondering."

Whoops!

S.

I don't know. I haven't checked out bencharong there. If you go to Chatachak though then go early. When I've gone there I've always been finished shopping and leaving the place by 11:30AM when the crowds are arriving and the heat is heating up. Happy Travels!

doubt it is the real thing, but maybe

There are lots of stalls in the market selling 'real' Benjarong - Benjarong is a style, not a brand. If it looks like Benjarong, then it is.

There are a lot of ceramics stalls, selling Benjarong and other items, facing the service road, opposite and just up from the building housing several small bank branches.

There's a larger stall selling bigger, fancier stuff in the "JJ Park" extension (which still isn't on a lot of Chatuchak maps). It's right on the corner of the market's main center aisle and Kampangphet Road, so it's easy enough to find.

Prices are a little cheaper than places like Naraiphand, but then you most likely won't get the nice silk covered box with your purchase, like you get at the fancy stores.

In my experience you would want to check the maker of the porcelain and more specifically where they get their clay from to make the bone china.

You would be looking for a trusted manufacturer who uses Kaolin clay from a province in China. Thailand also has its own kaolin deposits but the best comes from China.

Check the artistry and colors that they use. The original five colors used are red, yellow, green, blue and white. Nowadays they also add maroon and 18K gold(that's what I got).

The designs are many including shakri,dok mai khod(sp), ming dynasty patterns, etc. Really exquisite I think

Aloha!

I agree to go early but one trip I arrived at 9:15 and about 1/3 of the sho[s/stalls were setting up. It seemed they were 99% open by 10 AM. The other trip I arrived just after 10 and all seemed open and by 11 it was getting crowded. It was not raining but getting hot. It must have been 80-85 by 11-11:30 when we left at 1 PM it was hot/humid and we had to get into an A/C cab fast. So, I recommend 10-12:30/1PM.

I've bought all of my benjarong in chiang mai

gloriaf is wise in her recommendation. Also, while CM does not have as wide a variety of different items genuine branded eye glasses, jewelry,paintings on most other items it is slightly less expensive than BK based on our expiernce. Unfortunately the Baht has become 25% stronger vs,. the USD since our visitin May '06 but still many real bargains.