Bangkok in Thailand is one of the top shopping destinations in Asia. It has everything from haut couture shopping malls with the world's top designer names and luxury goods, smaller department stores and shops to simple street markets, some huge, some small all selling cheap and cheerful souvenirs.

Favourite purchases include silks and cottons, leather goods, silver and gold, precious and semiprecious stones, pearls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer and pewter ware, bamboo and wood artefacts.

Chatuchuk market in Bangkok is one of the largest in the world and at the weekend can have up to 1500 stalls attracting up to 300,000 visitors in a day. The market sells everything sellable including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artefacts, food, and even live animals. Hard bargaining is essential here, but remember to do so with a smile.

Another favourite shopping area in Bangkok is the China Town in Yaowarat Road. This old business district is home to countless shops selling all types of goods. Si Lom road in Bang Rak district is also popular.

Thailand's second city, Changmai , can't boast the international shopping of Bangkok but you didn't come to Thailand to buy what you could buy at home. The place for souvenir shopping in Chang Mai is the Night Market. Here you can find almost everything you could think of including clothes, Thai silk, handicrafts, watches, video games, spices, souvenirs, art, jewellery, silver, antiques and much more. Prices are generally low (if you bargain). The Night Market is centred on the junction of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road.

For slightly higher quality Thai artefacts and clothing albeit at slightly higher prices try the Viang Ping Night Bazaar, near Tha Phae Road. For even higher end shops and goods, Riverside is the place to go. The area offers good quality silk, textiles, and artworks.

On the islands and beach resorts, there is less choice than in the main cities, but here too, there is a selection of Thai handicrafts, clothing and other souvenirs. In Phuket there is even a copy of Bangkok's famous Chatuchak market known as Chatuchak Phuket. It is open every weekend Phang Nga Rd.

Koh Samui also has many opportunities for souvenir shopping right by the beaches although it is worth taking a trip into the administrative centre, Nathon where the locals do their shopping. But the best place is probably in Chaweng along the 6km Beach Road with its areas for beachwear, jewellery, sports shops, and clothes shops. Remember that many of the shops here do not open until noon or later. You can visit Indochina Odyssey Tours to get more information about Shopping in Thailand

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