VIVADORA

Over the past decade it’s been heralded as a serious competitor to Singapore and Hong Kong as the ultimate shopping destination. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. It is a modern metropolis that has grown around its historical past. It is home to over seven and a half million people. The capital is famous for antiques, arts and crafts, textiles and gems, which makes it one of the best kept shopping secrets in Asia.

Shopping malls have taken over the city center, and this is where the locals tend to come for their everyday shopping. June is the beginning of the two month “Grand Thailand Sale,” and all merchandise made in Thailand is up to 80% off. Just make sure you look for the grand Thailand sale stickers in shops. Other months of the year department stores host the best sales, and “Central” is the largest in Bangkok. Locals and tourists come here to find real bargains.

Bargains can also be found in markets. These are at the height of the Thai community, and Bangkok’s biggest and best is Chatuchak. The best way to get there is on the “Sky Train”, opened in 1990 it’s very modern, gliding for fifteen miles above Bangkok’s busy streets. A one day pass will cost you 100 baht which is about two dollars. Since it’s really hot in Bangkok you’ve got two options, one is to sweat it out in the back of a cab, or get on a Sky Train and arrive cool and calm at your destination. Over 200,000 visitors go to Chatuchak every weekend and it is a shopping mecca.

Chatuchak market has about 8,000 stores which cover an area about the size of five football fields, and that makes for a good day of shopping. Come prepared because it’s hot. Wear light clothes and flat shoes, because there’s everything here, from wicker baskets, to exotic food, to fake designer goods. It’s an excellent place to find anything and everything made in Thailand, from beautifully handmade crafts, to antiques.

Chatuchak is divided into sections, each one represents a different type of merchandise. There’s even a section designated for selling animals, of all types. There is everything for sale, but if you want to buy anything you’ll have to do it the Thai way, so be prepared to barter. You can’t be scared, you have to barter. Start low and stand your ground. They’ll follow you if they really want a sale.

Thailand is home to thousands of craftsmen, whose skills have been passed down generations. Although you can find most of the wares in the market, its worthwhile venturing further out for some good treasures. If you want a break from the craziness of Bangkok, why not take a trip one hour out of the city to Bangsai, where you’ll find many of the same arts and crafts you see in the market actually being made. It’s very educational, and a great chance to get a few more souvenirs.There are house types that you’d normally see in northern Thailand, and that’s what makes Bangsai so unique.

Each house has a craft in its particular area, and there’s everything here from pottery to fan making. Founded by Queen Sirikit in 1976, the arts and folk craft center is also a school. Their aim is to pass down tradition by passing on ancient craft techniques to the next generation. Fan painting originates from Chiang Mai in the north where it is still a popular craft. Silk fans are painted with acryllic, and cost 30 baht, which is less than a dollar.

Thailand may be renowned for its crafts, but the one thing it is best known for is its silk. Silk is an important commodity in Thailand, and the industry dates back 5,000 years. You can find everything from cushions to ties, but there are some shops that really know what they are talking about when it comes to silk. If you’re looking for the best quality Thai silk, there’s only one shop to go to - Jim Thompson’s. Indulge yourself silly in everything silk. They’ve got silk bags, silk scarves, silk ties, and a ton of clothes.

Born in America and trained as an architect, Jim Thompson came to Thailand during the Second World War. The beauty of the country and the friendliness of the people immediately appealed to him. After the war, he invested his time and energy into Thai silk, an ancient handicraft that was disappearing fast due to competition from cheaper machine made fabrics. Convinced he had a product, Thompson took his goods to New York, and after an enthusiastic response he returned to Bangkok in 1951 to set up his company. In 1967 he went on a vacation to Malaysia with friends. He went for a walk in the jungle and never came back. His wealth and alleged connections to the CIA made his disappearance a true mystery.

The business was by no means an overnight success. The turning point was when the musical “The King and I” used Thai silk for its costumes. This, and the introduction of colorfast dyes, triggered a boom in the silk industry. The prices at Jim Thompson’s aren’t cheap, but the quality is second to none. Most shops will accept major credit cards, or the Thai currency, the baht.

Nothing will go better with your new outfit from Jim Thompson’s than some gems.Bangkok is internationally recognized as the gemstone capital of the world. You will find a number of small, family run businesses all over the city. On a side street right next to the American Embassy is a gem shop that is highly recommended. At “Uthai’s Gems” you can find Zircons, Garnets, cat-sized Turquoise, as well as Ruby’s from bordering nations. Genuine blue and black Sapphires indigenous to central Thailand are one of Bangkok’s best buys. Be sure you go to an authentic dealer. Look for a certificate in the window; these shops know what they’re talking about when it comes to the real thing.

To the naked eye, if you’re not experienced, or you’ve never seen Sapphires before, real and fake look almost identical. Two sapphires that look exactly the same may have huge differences in price. For example a real sapphire may cost $1200, where as the synthetic one may cost around $700. What you’re looking for is a clear color, and straight lines in the silt. All of the lines will be together, and naturally, they are straight. A synthetic stone may look beautiful, and may even look better than the real ones, but if the silt lines are curved, don’t buy it.

Although Bangkok may seem a modern city to the eye, it does have a reputation for great historical arts and architecture. As a result, Bangkok has taken a pivotal role, in the lucrative trade for ancient antiques. If you’re interested you’ll have to look hard. The “River City Complex” may look like any other modern mall, but here you can find some of Bangkok’s finest antiques. For an avid collector this is a good place to start. There are some astounding original antiques here, which would be the pride and joy of any collection. However, if you can’t afford to buy the real thing you can easily find some good reproductions. Shopping malls like River City are a convenient place to buy some good imitations of work from all over Asia.

Temple wood carvings are very popular, and most antiques and reproductions are of Hindu or Buddhist icons. If you are a serious collector it’s worth while venturing off the beaten track to unveil some unique originals. At the “Elephant House” off of Circumvent Road you can find a wide range of antiques, from home furnishings, and accessories to religious wood carvings. Religious images are also part of everyday life.

There are three ways to spot fakes in Asian art. First look for life-like expressions. The expression should be very alive, and you should be able to see it. Second is the quality. The piece should be detailed. Third is the proportions, each obviously unique in size, but many reproductions tend to be smaller than the originals. Asian art is an investment, but a good word of advice, is to not to buy antiques only as an investment, but also for your own pleasure and enjoyment.

Traffic mayhem is to be expected in the capital, and a quick way of getting around is by “Toot-Toot.” These autos got their name from the sound of their engines, and are recognized as a symbol of Thailand. They are generally a great way to get around, but on a shopping mission you may want to travel around by taxi, and the help of a bilingual driver. The taxi drivers have small religious symbols hanging from their rear-view mirrors to protect them from accidents, because the roads are ungoverned. Seeing the way people drive, it is obvious why the drivers hang several of these symbols. The symbols are called amulets, and in Thailand the main religion is Buddhism. Your taxi driver can take you to one of several religious markets where you can find Buddha in every form.

Small amulets to life-sized statues of Buddha can be found, and many times you can take your purchase to a nearby temple to get the Buddha blessed. One of a Buddhist Monk’s duties is to bless Buddha for private homes. They charge a small fee for the ceremony, which goes towards the maintenance of the temple.

Wherever you go in the world you have got to be a savvy shopper. It helps being able to tell apart the top quality goods from the rip-offs, but wherever you go in Bangkok, the Thai’s are friendly, honest and always willing to give advice. You will find phenomenal shopping in Bangkok, and the only problem you’ll have is figuring out how to fit everything you buy into your suitcase.

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