Hi. My husband and I are going on our first trip to Thailand--a two week tour that goes to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I have seen posts on tailoring clothes but we don't have much interest in that. What are good buys in Thailand as compared to what are good buys in China (Beijing?) Any cost and quality comparisons between good buys in both places?

jewerly, especially gold and saphires are a particularily good buy....thai handicrafts....cloth goods of all kinds; wall hangings, silk...silver...home goods,,,, ratan...

Yes, Bob has named some good bargains in Bangkok. If you do want to buy jewelry, visit a reputable jewler, not some place a taxi or tuk tuk driver recommends (or even worse, a tout on the street tells you is a special governemnt sale!). I can buy jewelry in Bangkok for one fourth of the US retail price or less.

There are wonderful craft items, those from Thailand and those from adjacent countries.

Visit the main Jim Thompson store. Not only do they have fabulous silk yard goods, but they have wonderful silk accessories that make great gifts (wallets, jewelry boxes, purses). They also have excptionally high quality T shirts that are great gifts.

Celedon is a good buy as well.

Go to a reputable jewelry store for 18k gold with rubies and sapphires, the stones Thailand is known for. Believe it or not, some of the jewelry stores connected to 5 star hotels have some good buys, especially those at the Shangri-La. If you're interested in 24k gold, head to Chinatown for great buys. No stones, just gold earrings, braclets, necklaces etc, Very little if any English is spoken and they do not bargain. Everything is weighed and priced according to the gold market of that day. If you like art and antiques, River City has some beautiful shops, albeit expensive.

Silk in each country in China has a diff look and feel so Thai silk is very distinct as compared to Chinese. Jim Thompson is the place - if you have the time and plan to spend a lot (e.g. gifts) their factory outlet at Sukhumvit Soi 93 is shopping heaven as end of season stuff 50% cheaper than the main store. I used to take my guests to the main JT store and of they liked the wares make the effort to go to the outlet. Handicrafts and weaving - the Central department store home floor has a good range, or you could go to Sop Moie, www.sopmoiearts.com which is en route the JT outlet actually. The Night Bazaar at Suna Lum has an interesting mix of pottery, handicrafts, celadon, etc - the experience is as much fun as the shopping, IMO. Jewelry def as already mentioned. For silver the shops behind the Oriental Hotel including Lims are full of stuff. I have posted re shoppig in Chiang Mai recently in response to someone else post so you could take a look at that too.