I am currently in chiang mai and made some great purchases, unfortunately i still have 2 weeks left on this trip which would be spent on the islands of the south. I got some pretty heavy and bulky stuff that i do not want to be lugging with me. Does anyone know of a reputable and inexpensive shipping company here in chiang mai that i can use. Please help, i do not want to spend a fortune on my great deal for shipping. I will be shipping it to New York City

What sort of weight do you have ?
You may find using UPS, Fedex or similar with some form of budget service the best deal, but it depends just how bulky your purchases are.
Bob had a carpet sent from India back to the US and it worked just fine, perhaps he will see this post and mention. Tangata may also know a shipping agent if the goods are very heavy / bulky.
If you are in CM now perhaps a call to local UPS or Fedex and see what they quote you.

In the bottom floor of the building at the night market (in the back, away from the street) there is a UPS outlet. I stopped in there, told them what hotel I was staying at and they came to pick me and my things up. They custom packaged the things I had bought, including some bulky artwork, and shipped it. Very friendly and efficient.

It wasn't that expensive and the packages beat me home.

I have a great shipping company that I use in Chiang Mai. It is U B Worldwide Express and they have experience with world shipping. It is located across the street from Imperial Mae Ping hotel. They will let you know what options are best for you, and I have been very pleased with the prices. Since my shipping cost about $2000 (I ship alot of stuff), I have already researched the price. Usually they ship UPS and it is the best service and price for me. You can call U B Worldwide, and they will pick your purchases up from your hotel and/or stores that you have shopped at-free of charge. You can reach them at 053-207-263 address 105 Kampangdin Rd email [email protected]. Tell them that Gale Carson sent you. They are delightful people to deal with.

I purchased a huge set of celadon in CM, and the store is shipping it via DHL.

I shipped from Chiang Mai last year from the post office. They told me all the shipping options and I chose the best one for my needs.

Kathie,

Do they custom make the celadon? How long does it ususally take?

Aloha!

HT, yes, they custom-make all of the celadon. They said it would take about a month to make all of the pieces, then 2-3 months for it to arrive on my doorstep in Seattle. We ordered the second half of November, and the celadon was shipped on Dec 25. I will post when it arrives. Upon shipping, they estimated that it would take 75 days to get to Seattle. We ordered a lot - they said it was packed in 8 boxes!

kathie---i will check with guenmai on how many place settings we need for the GTG...cheryl will bring them in her hand luggage...

Let me know, Bob. It's a good thing she's been lifting weights!

Thanks to everyone who replied. I purchased some word carvings, paintings, silver and buddah. I will check that place across the Imperial mae ping hotel. By the way, I love Chiang mai. It is so underated. Im surprised this city doesnt get much publicity. Everything and everyone is just so cool and so many local artist. I highly recommend this city to anyone visiting Thailsnd

What if you buy furniture at one of the markets? Can you ship from the market? Or is it better to buy furniture from BKK?

I believe the shipping company I recommended in an earlier post, U B Worldwide, was experience shipping furniture also. They use to have an office in the Hang Dong area, where they shipped for exporters.

hoodims, do remember that shipping will cost at least as much as the furniture. And if you live somewhere that has central heating, the furniture you buy will likely crack in the low humidity.

Thanks Kathie and Stitch. I did read about other people's furniture shopping experience. Not sure whether to brave buying some bedroom furniture or not...we live in Chicago so its either really humid or really dry. We use radiators. Maybe its time to go back to CA...

Thailand Post Office (bpor-nor Thailand) is good with various methods of shipping. They also will create a box to meet your item(s) sizes at a very reasonable price.
Exchange rate of 35Baht=$1.00
examples of shipping cost.
1 kg 1 wk air delivery $27.14
1 kg 2-4 wk air deliver $20.00
1 kg 2-3 months sea $15.71
.
.
.
10 kg 1 wk air delivery $156.71
10 kg 2-4 wk air deliver $97.14
10 kg 2-3 months sea $51.71

hawaiiantraveler - I buy my ceramics (vases, tea sets, plates,insence set, etc) from Oh at Thailandhanddo in Bor Sang (umbrella village). I get products custom made - colored, etc. through her.
[email protected]
If you go to the umbrella village (Bor Sang) 6 KM from the ancient city, also stop at the Saa Paper Village (hand made paper)5 KM from the ancient city along the same road.