Me a shopper nah you got me mixed up with someone else....... (now Muffin wishes that were true)

We just got back from BKK yesterday morning and are still a bit jet lagged. Will post a timely report - to avoid penalties - soon.

Concerning JT, although we had wanted to go to the museum and main house we didn't make it there. However, following someone's very good suggestion on this board (maybe Sue or Kathie), we headed for the JT store in Siam Paragon. We took the Skytrain to Siam, walked across the street and Paragon is right there. The JT store there is very large, was well stocked and had at leat ten times the amount of mercandise as compared to the JT store at the JW in Phuket. We were also told in BKK from other tourists who had gone to the outlet that its selection of "gift like" items, was limited.

If you have limited time, I think the Paragon store is a good location to head for. Following more suggestions on this board, we then headed straight to the 4th floor of Paragon and it has terrific local Thai stores, with a very large selection of everything - silks, shoes, homeware, soaps (there's a very nice Harn store), clothes (there was a cool shop that sells items such as great quality T-shirts and some small inexpensive jewelry items made by Her Royal Highness, not sure which one, I can't really keep track). Also found some beautiful silk scarves and the like. The items on the 4th floor were all well made, perhaps a bit more pricey than at other spots but, everything was there, it was super easy and I would recommend it. We also found a travel agency/store that sold "Thai Shop" items, like TG umbrellas and die cast models that we wanted to buy.

And, as others have said, Paragon is really something else. I do not like malls but, Paragon is something to see. Most impressive mall I've ever been to. The food court and the Gourmet Market on the ground floor are outstanding. Indeed, we had some gelato at a stand in the Market and it was some of the best Gelato we've ever had - anywhere.

Finally, if all else fails, there is an pretty good sized JT shop at Suvanabum, which seemed to have much merchandise. My daughter, now looking over my shoulder as I type, tells me the prices on at least some of the items were the same. And, for those looking for good baby gifts, JT has some great stuff. Really soft and well made silk stuffed animals (elephants, of course), T-shirts and incredibly cute elephant booties.

It doesn't sound like I'll have any problem finding JT shops in BKK, even with limited time. Now I just have to research the shopping in Chaing Mai too. Thanks for all the replies.

What do you want to find in CM moremiles? You probably already read somewhere that the night market is sprawling and the best shops are inside the white building -- you just have to make your way through alot of packed streets/vendors to get there.
If you're considering anything "antique" without the "" I cannot recommend the people at Baan Mai near the 4S enough - they took exceptionally good care of us.

Thanks jenskar, and no, I haven't read too much about the shopping in CM yet. I need to do some more searching here and also get a guidebook. I am most interested in silk, jewelry(not high-end) and handicrafts. Does the FS have any good shops or are they very over-priced?

the best shopping guidebook that i have seen for thailand is:

ron krannich's: the treasurers and pleasurers of thailand and mynamar

available on amazon

The 4S gift shop is hugely overpriced. Down the road (walkable) are some other shops but mostly statues, etc so not sure you'll find anything down there.
Their concierge's shopping list is, however very good. You can get a great deal handicraft-wise at the night market (again, white building!)
North of the night market along Tha Phae Road going west are a collection of shops including Lost Heavens that have higher priced tribal handicrafts, also some buy by the oz. Hilltribe silver, and silk and textiles. Nimmanhaemin Road has some good housewares shops near the intersection with Huay Kaew and on side streets south of that. That's a tuktuk ride from the other side of town.
Are you doing a spa treatment at the 4S? I would really recommend doing one at night as it adds a whole extra layer of atmosphere to the experience. Of course you could get less expensive treatments in town but ... I really loved falling into bed after mine.
Can you tell this is much more fun than going upstairs and starting to clean out 13 years of accumlated stuff in the attic?

hypatia ... sorry to have drifted from your original post !!

luxe guides do a great little guide to chiang Mai... they are not everyones taste but i find their shopping section fantastic, i also like to compact format and we used the BKK and Singapore ones extensively and i have already bought the sydney and Hong Kong ones for this years holiday. You can get them in good hotels in BKK or in C or alternatively buy online at luxeguides....

Thanks all and I will print this out to take with me! Yes, I will definitely be getting some spa treatments at the FS too-already have the menu. This is a bit of a celebration trip.