Here are few shopping tips and advices for shoppers while travelling to Thailand.

Bargaining

Most department stores and large retail outlets have fixed prices, so bargaining is not applicable. At markets, small stalls, shops or street vendors, bargaining is the norm. Expect to pay from 10-40% less than the original asking price – depending on your bargaining skills and the will of the vendor.

Bargain with a smile and you will be rewarded. Many Thais work long hours, so they appreciate a smile and good humour – you’ll get better bargains.

Export Restrictions

Be aware that it is forbidden to take images of Buddha, deities, and some antique artifacts from the country without first obtaining approval from the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok.

Gems and Jewellery Advisory

There are occasional complaints from visitors about unethical jewellers who persuaded them to buy jewellery at an unreasonable price. There are also cases where gems purchased have turned out to be fakes. While such scams are largely carried out in Bangkok, there have been complaints about jewel purchases in Phuket.

To combat this problem, the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have formed a “Jewel Fest Club”. The club aims to offer quality products at reasonable prices with a money-back guarantee if buyers are not completely satisfied. Some of the larger Phuket jewellers are in this program, so look for the Jewel Fest emblem while browsing the shop.

The TAT offers these tips for your protection:

• Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
• Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase prices is an impossible proposition under any circumstances. Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones.
• Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry.
• Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you.
• Do not believe special (jewellery) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists to their stores.
• There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized by the government or any official agencies at any time of the year.
• The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize any jewellery stores.
• As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection.
• Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand.

Packing and Shipping Services

Many of the larger shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs and necessary permits. Parcel-wrapping service is available at the main post office in Phuket City (Montri Rd) and at post service outlets such as PostNet in Tesco-Lotus. For larger items or bulk shipments, check with courier services such as DHL (076 258 500/2) or TNT Express (076 220 799 or 076 216 396).

In recent years, Thailand has opened its doors to more tourists as it provides more amenities and other forms of attractions for kids as well as adults. Tourists as well as local shoppers have a lot to look forward to, as there are a number of excellent shopping malls in Thailand, each of which offers remarkable convenience as well as overall shopping experience.

Here are some of the best Thailand shopping malls as well as their corresponding features that people can look forward to when visiting the country.

Central World, Bangkok

Owned by Central Patanna, this mall is the third largest shopping complex in the world. Its layout is primarily inspired by street mall concept, which allows people to scope out more storefronts immediately. Apart from the stores that sell apparel, shoes, furniture, appliances, and all the usual products one can expect from a mall, Central Word also has an ice skating rink and play zone for kids.

The Genius Planet Zone and Thailand Knowledge Park are two of the most popular attractions for kids in all of Bangkok as both feature some of the most amazing displays and facts about the physical world. Parents and kids alike are fond of this mall since it has almost everything they could ever want, and then some.

Central Festival Pattaya Beach Mall

This mall houses millions of products ranging from consumer goods, i.e. apparel, shoes, household supplies, gadgets, furniture, to other miscellaneous items. In addition to the countless stores that would make any consumerist tourist’s head spin, this mall is also popular because it stays later than most other shopping establishments around Pattaya.

The layout of this mall is straightforward but the sheer number of stores is staggering, which is why it attracts hundreds of thousands of shoppers in a daily basis.

Terminal 21 Bangkok

This mall’s layout is inspired by a 21st century airport and has one of the unique personalities as far as shopping establishments go. The basement is one of the most impressive parts of this mall with its Mediterranean theme and a collection of takeout restaurants.

This haven for food lovers definitely changes people’s conception of mall cuisine. For those who have rather discriminating palates, this is the perfect venue to indulge their most sinful cravings.

Pier 21 on the 5th floor of this mall is by far the most popular places to get succulent and satisfying Asian dishes in all of Thailand. Apart from the diversity of its menu, Pier 21 also provides convenience and affordability to budget conscious consumers.