Painting:

Thailand has a rich history of painting that can be seen by visiting any number of Buddhist temples, the interiors of which are usually adorned with murals.

Shopping in Thailandis one of visitors’ favorite activities.  Consequently, these Thailand shopping tips are intended to help visitors make the most of their Thailand shopping experience.  Knowing when and where to shop, how to haggle, what forms of payment are accepted, how VAT refunds can be processed, and what are typical return policies should help visitors on a Bangkok shopping spree or simply picking up a few souvenirs enjoy their time shopping in Thailand. 

Thailand is a major exporter of gems and jewelry and Bangkok has become one of the major global centers for cutting and setting gemstones. Consequently, those in the know should have an excellent opportunity for purchasing high quality gemstones and jewelry. Most of Thailand’s gold shops are found in Chinese districts, the largest being Yaowarat in Bangkok. Thai gold is very yellow, owing to its high level of purity, and Thai gold jewelry is quite inexpensive as the labor costs are quite low. Larger department stores and reputable jewelry shops are certainly the safest places to buy Thai jewelry so be advised: if shopping at smaller shops or on the recommendation of a new “friend” or tuk-tuk driver, there are plenty of con-artists working the Thai jewelry and gem business.

Thai silk:

Perhaps as well known as Thai food or beaches, Thai silk is an iconic Thai product, made world famous by American CIA agent/silk pioneer Jim Thompson in the wake of World War II. Its high quality, unique designs, and affordability makes Thai silk one of the top shopping items for visitors to Thailand. Thai silk scarves and ties are common souvenirs, although silk material for dress-making is quite popular as well. While some try to pass off synthetic materials as 100% silk, genuine Thai silk is quite common and affordable. There are even many places aroundThailandthat visitors can observe the process of silk production and purchase hand-made and naturally dyed Thai silk products, particularly around Chiang Mai and north eastern Thailand.

Thailandis a major manufacturer of electronic equipment, including computer and camera accessories, all of which are commonplace in Thai shops and stores. From Panthip Plazato MBK, there are entire floors of stores in Bangkok devoted to selling electronic goods. While there are certainly good deals to be had on quality electronic goods, buyers should be aware that there are also many counterfeit products, such as iPods and DVDs. While selecting off-brand goods (often produced inChina) can seem incredibly cheap, like inexpensive counterfeit products these are typically produced with inferior parts and workmanship and will not have valid warrantees. Similarly, there are no guarantees for counterfeit CDs and DVDs, which, while nearly ubiquitous inThailand, are both illegal to purchase in Thailandand import into many citizen’s home countries.

Computers:

While computer accessories, such as solid-state “flash” drives and memory card readers, can be purchased for very low prices, computer hardware, such as notebook computers, are typically not less expensive than in Singapore or many western countries, particularly theUnited States. However, custom built desktop computers can be purchased for very reasonable prices at venues such as Bangkok’s Panthip Plazaand Fortune Town. Buyers should be aware that computers purchased in Thailand are often bundled with unregistered copies of Windows and other software. As many of the components of desktop computers are manufactured inThailand, such home-made computers are far cheaper than buying pre-assembled computers in other countries.

While the term "antique" generally refers only to products of more than a century old, this term is used a little more casual in Thailand.