Shopping in Bangkok, Finding the Perfect Gift
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Shopping in Bangkok. The perfect gift or export product.
Finding that perfect gift or export product while shopping in Thailand.
There are many things that attract large numbers of people from all over the world to Thailand, making it a leading tourist center in this part of the world. Among the main attractions are its beautiful scenery, its friendly people, its peculiar arts and culture, its comparatively low cost of living, and its great variety of valuable products that can be bought at favorable prices. Below is a list of some of the many things that Thailand offers. If you plan on visiting Bangkok, you should take a day to walk around JJ Market the largest market in Thailand. Chiang Mai also has many surrounding areas worth exploring, or in any other city in Thailand you can find amazingly good prices on many of the products that we mention here. Because shopping in the land of smiles is probably far cheaper than checking off that wish list in your home country, many tourists send home gifts, or even early Christmas presents. Some take things a step further and set up a small company exporting many of these products back to their home country, creating a lucrative, portable income with a wonderful quality of life. We hope this will give you some ideas of how to find that perfect gift or product while in Thailand.
Gems & Jewelry Thailand has become a new leader in the world of gems and jewelry in a short 10 year period. This is possible because I. rich mines of high-grade gemstones, notably rubies and sapphires, have been found in the Kanchanaburi and Chanthaburi provinces. II. Thailand has plenty of skillful craftsmen with dexterous hands, and expert designers with artistic talent. III. The cost of labor and the overhead costs are comparatively low in this country. IV. Thailand imposes no import or export duty on raw or cut stones. That is why all kinds of precious stones are sent to Thailand for cutting.
Cotton and Batik are internationally well known because of their fine flexible texture and durability. They are often used for both clothing and household items like table linen, bedspreads, cushion covers, and rugs. Among them, the most attractive are those with fine and delicate embroidery made by the hill tribes living in the North.
Gold Ornaments Most of the large gold shops in Bangkok are located on Yaowarat Road. Some are more than half a century old and a few are newly opened. They are all thriving. They cater to foreign customers, especially those from other countries in Southeast Asia who prefer to buy gold ornaments in Thailand because of the large choice, excellent workmanship, and beautiful designs. Pure gold ornaments are also available in jewelry shops.
Antiques Among the most sought-after items are Sawankhalok pottery from the Sukhothai period, carvings and sculptures from Buddhist temples, ornamental wood fragments that once adorned palaces, puppets, masks, silver bowls, and betel-leaf containers. When the authenticity is in doubt, ask the dealer to guarantee a return policy.
Silk Fabrics Introduced to the world market only about 40 years ago, Thai silk is perhaps already too well known to need further recommendation. It is hand reeled, hand woven, and hand printed, so it has a natural uneven look and a coarser texture which give it its uniqueness. The two main production centers of Thai silk fabrics are Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Wood Carvings Wood Carving is an ancient art of the Thai people handed down from the Sukhothai period about seven centuries ago. Today, most of the wood carving workshops are concentrated in the northern provinces, such as Lampang, Phrae, Nan, and especially Chiang Mai. The products can be divided into four categories: I. Furniture, such as tables, chairs beds and cabinets. II. Household utensils such as plates and bowls. III. Decorative objects such as lampshades and picture small articles are exported to Europe, the United States and Japan.
Silverware The creation of silverware is an ancient art in Thailand. Thai silverware, especially ornaments, is on great demand in the world market, with the United States, many European countries, and Australia as the main customers. Thai craftsmen have maintained the traditional fine workmanship of their ancestors and the quality of the products is under the strict government control. The prescribes that the content of pure silver in silver products must not be less than 92.5 percent. The two main production centers of silverware in Thailand are Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Bronze-ware, Brass-ware Like silverware and nielloware, bronze ware and brass ware have a long history in Thailand. They are noted all over the world for their good quality and design.
Furniture Thailand has earned fame for its elegant and durable furniture for over a decade. The export value of wood and rattan furniture rapidly increased from 53.6 million baht in 1975 to 6,670 million baht in 1989 mainly because raw materials can be easily found in this country. Thai furniture is elegant in appearance, the labour cost is low, and above all, Thailand produces large selections of furniture, ranging from wooden to wood carved, and leather and rattan to intricate mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture.
Pottery Sangkhalok stoneware made by potters from China 700 years ago was a distinctive product well known all over Southern Asia. Later, the art died out and was revived in Chiang Mai only about a quarter of a century ago. Now there are several factories making this peculiar kind of pottery called celadon. Their products include vases, lampshades, dinner sets, tea sets, and a variety of souvenir articles.
Gold Plated Orchids A newly created handicraft which preserves beautiful natural creatures such as orchids and butterflies. They are plated in 24k gold, enhancing their value as gifts and solidifying their beauty.
Other Handicrafts There are several other kinds of handicrafts that are of artistic value, such as Thai dolls, lacquer ware, nielloware, and artificial flowers. All of the above you can conveniently obtain from large department stores, shopping plazas or in the shopping areas in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya, where you will find that there are just too many good things to buy making a choice can be difficult.
Contributed by jason
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"I just returned on a 2 week tour of Thailand and Laos with your company. Had a great time and it was so well organized. I would like to get Mr. Aesopa's email so I can email him some pictures of my son and I. Mr. Aesopa is a wonderful guide and he really enhanced the trip by showing us some unusual places and food. We even tried dried insects and snake whisky. Thank you again and we can't wait to plan our next trip. Our friends want to go to with us to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in the near future."
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