Joanna James
While Thailand has many malls to shop at, nothing beats exploring its lively local markets where you are bound to find great bargains, unique souvenirs and even delectable street food! Here are some things to keep in mind before you visit which will help you get the most out of your experience.
The most important tip for shopping at markets in Thailand is to bargain! Expect that the prices marked out for items are going to be high by default since vendors will most likely be targeting tourists; with that in mind, do not pay the full price straight away and instead, bargain and try to get a "discount". It always helps if you know a little Thai too.
It is important that when you bargain, that you are courteous and polite. Thais are generally friendly by nature and are likely to be receptive to someone who is being friendly in return. However, if you speak in a way that is "aggressive", they will be on the defensive from the start and are unlikely to offer any price reductions!
This connects with the previous point; you should stay calm when bartering and also know when to stop. There will be a limit to how much a vendor is prepared to give as a discount and there is no point in arguing over a few more baht. If you are not satisfied, you can always walk away but do remember to be polite when doing so too.
While you may be tempted to buy something right away, remember there are plenty of stalls and markets to peruse especially if you are staying in Bangkok. City hotels are ideally located close to many of these markets including the Chatuchak Weekend Market; within easy reach of properties like Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel, this market has around 15,000 stalls so you should spend time browsing to find the right item at the right price!
While this may not always be the case, generally, if you purchase more items from a particular vendor there is a better chance of you getting more of a discount. So plan and keep that in mind when bartering too. If you are shopping with a friend, see if they also want something from that vendor and make a joint purchase.
Those who have shopped abroad know how often one can get stuck trying to do conversions to ascertain an item's price value back home! To avoid the hassle and having to keep crosschecking, download a currency calculator to our phone; ideally, choose one that can be used offline as well since you may not have a data connection.
While you should barter when at Thai markets, do remember this does not apply to when purchasing food from the many vendors at such places. One of the best things to do in Thailand for foodies is to sample the range of dishes at markets, but just accept the price as it is; the good thing is, most of the fare on offer is relatively cheap!
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