The rate of return visitors to Thailand is rumored to be quite high, but that’s no surprise given so many options to spend your time and money in a country that is much cheaper than most.
That said, if you want to invest a little more than the usual t-shirts and trinkets, Thailand offers a wealth of goods to be treasured by the serious collector for years to come. The country is a manageable size and the infrastructure is good enough that transporting purchased goods back home is easy. So, if you want to make a shopping vacation out of your time in Thailand, you can certainly have a good and efficient time doing it.
Here are some important items to consider and the best places and tips to buy them:
Furniture: Head to the northern provinces of Thailand, where the carpentry is more refined. Along with a traditional respect for craftsmanship, there are now newer and more modern designers creating fantastic new creations. Think of a giant bamboo chair woven into a nest, with a soft cushion in the center that resembles a luscious egg. Truly unique dining sets, often with solid slabs of antique wood, are also a popular choice. Most reputable places will have literature on how the wood was sourced (ie ecologically), but you will generally have to pay more for this guarantee. Head to Chiang Mai province, an easy flight from Bangkok, and start your search there.
Art: There is a vibrant art scene within Bangkok, especially in the heart of the city. Of course, pottery and traditional handicrafts are widely available in most major shopping malls (just ask the hotel concierge). The two neighborhoods not to be missed, however, are Jatutak (or Chatuchak), where a huge weekend bazaar offers some of the most avant-garde paintings and sculptures by up-and-coming young artists. More serious collectors should head to the galleries in the Lung Suan district, with notable galleries mainly lining Ton Son Street (Soi Ton Son). The selected pieces are curated by a top art personality in Bangkok.
Silk: Most people who visit Thailand are aware of the legend of American CIA agent Jim Thompson who revived the aesthetics and trade of Thai silk (and then mysteriously disappeared). While a visit to the Bangkok chain store named after this expat will give you a modern take on this ancient craft, a trip to northeast Thailand, such as the province of Ubon Ratchathani, offers something much more exquisite. Think of shimmering handmade fabrics that take months to weave (by hand, of course): some use gold and silver threads woven between silk threads. Tailoring these beautiful specimens into a dress is quite easy, as tailoring is not a foreign concept in Thailand. Ask for a recommendation from the place where you bought the silk, as these artisans work closely together.
Reclaimed Wood – Perhaps an odd selection to include in this article, but given the ecological environment we live in, buying wooden slabs that have been used before is an increasingly popular activity, especially for those looking to build a home in Thailand . . Head to the frequently flooded province of Ayutthaya (just a couple of hours north of Bangkok), where traditional Thai houses, most often made from teak or another difficult word, are always being torn down and rebuilt. in a new home. There are many places where you can find complete ceilings or hardwood floors for sale at prices that are cheaper than buying newly manufactured artificial building materials. If building a new home is not within the budget, craftsmen often work the smaller pieces of wood into beautiful carvings that are easily transported in separate pieces for reassembly (quite easily) at the destination.
