Your trip to Thailand is not yet complete if you have not spent some time shopping for a wide range of items. The country has an array of large and small stores that are always looking for both local and foreign customers who are ready to spend their hard-earned money on various items. Perhaps you have been hearing about the affordability of Thailand; hence, you may be wondering whether shopping is cheap in the country or not.
The cheapness of shopping in Thailand is quite relative. What is considered cheap to some people may not necessarily be cheap to others. Besides, your bargaining skills may make a big difference in the cost of buying any particular product in Thailand.Shopping in Thailand could be cheap or expensive. While some items are usually cheap, others are always expensive. So, the actual item you want to buy will determine whether shopping is cheap in Thailand or not.
Having noted this fact, you should still understand that certain things are generally cheap in Thailand. However, in the same country, some items are usually expensive. So, it can be quite difficult to decide whether shopping is cheap in the Land of Smiles or not.
What items are cheap in Thailand?
If you are thinking about cheap shopping in Thailand, you should focus on some particular items that are often inexpensive in the country. As stated by Wetellyouhow.com, the following items are usually cheap in Thailand:
- Cheap clothes
Whether you are looking for well-tailored, unbranded clothes or imitations of designer clothes, you can find lots of them in Thailand. These clothes come at relatively cheap prices; hence, you can always spend on them.
- Flowers
Lovers of flowers can also get these products at affordable prices in Thailand. For around $1, you can get a bouquet of beautiful orchids in the country.
- Household accessories
From pillow cases to lamps, Chinese towels, flower vases, paper lights, table cloths, and lots more, loads of household accessories are available in Thailand. Compared to many other countries, these items are often cheaper in this Southeast Asian nation. Notably, you can find these household accessories in most markets around the country.
- Ceramics and pottery
Many Thais specialize in creating and designing awe-inspiring ceramics and pottery. So, if you are looking for these items, you can get them for cheap in the Land of Smiles. Thai ceramics, stoneware, celadon, Thai stones, blue pottery, white pottery, etc. are available in abundance at the Siamraj Market, Chatuchak, and lots more.
- Fresh fruits
If you are looking for fresh and healthy fruits, Thailand is a great place to shop for them. The country has dragon fruits, mangoes, lichees, papayas, pineapples, kiwis, and lots more. So, don’t hesitate to shop and enjoy these fruits during your visit to Thailand.
- Bags and shoes
Are you interested in shopping for cheap bags and shoes? You can find a lot of them in Thailand. With less than $5, you can easily find a pair of designer shoes or a designer bag in the Land of Smiles. However, you should note that these so-called designer shoes and bags are imitations. The Chatuchak Weekend Market, Siam Square, MKB Shopping malls, etc. are some of the places to get these products at cheap prices.
- Thai silk
If you go to Bon Marche Market, MKB Mall, Jim Thomson, and other shopping stores in Thailand, you can get some of the best Thai silks. These silks come in varying designs, colors, sizes, and qualities. Therefore, you can easily and quickly select what suits your taste.
Things that are not cheap in Thailand
When shopping in Thailand, it is crucial to understand that some things are not cheap. In fact, some things are more expensive in Thailand than in most other countries on the planet. According to Tielandtothailand.com, a few of the products that are not cheap in Thailand include:
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Original Western clothing
- Western food
- Furniture
- Alcohol
- Alcoholic drinks
- Bottled products
So, why are these things more expensive in Thailand than in some developed countries? Of course, the reason is not far-fetched. The aforementioned products are made outside of Thailand; hence, they are imported. Some of these products, such as alcohol, are heavily taxed to discourage Thais from taking them as there are local alternatives. Besides, to bring these foreign products into the Land of Smiles, the importers have to pay expensive import duties. As a result of this, it is not surprising that these products are somewhat expensive in Thailand.
Nonetheless, it should be realized that these pricey products are not necessities for most Thais. The essential ones have cheaper local alternatives. Hence, their expensiveness doesn’t necessarily affect the quality of life of many locals in this Asian country.
Money-saving tips for shopping for cheap items in Thailand
If you are looking forward to buying cheap products in Thailand, some money-saving tips can assist you. As stated by Tripzilla.ph, the tips below can help you.
- Beware of tourist traps
In Thailand, tourist traps refer to some scams created specifically to take advantage of the naivety of tourists. While shopping in the country, you will likely come across tourist traps. Some people may want to rush you into buying what you don’t need or want. Others may want to sell fake items for you as originals. So, you should avoid those traps.
- Go to local markets
Lots of modern shopping malls are found in numerous locations across the country. Although these malls have their allure, they are usually not the best places to shop cheap in Thailand. For cheap items, go to the local markets around you.
- Start shopping early
As the day goes on, many buyers would have purchased the cheapest items that most sellers have. Hence, the latecomers will have to settle for more expensive ones. Therefore, if you would like to get cheap products in the country, you should go shopping earlier in the day.
- Haggle
In Thailand, the asking price of a seller is not usually the actual selling price. In other words, if you can negotiate, you can bring down the asking price significantly. Therefore, it is important to haggle the prices.
Conclusion
Shopping in Thailand could be cheap or expensive. While some items are usually cheap, others are always expensive. So, the actual item you want to buy will determine whether shopping is cheap in Thailand or not.
