Veteran retailers far and wide beat a path to Bangkok for an unrivaled wholesale shopping experience, which roughly translates to unbeatable bargains. Thanks to relatively low manufacturing and labour costs, coupled with government-initiated tax breaks, many types of merchandise are sold here much cheaper than many other places. In certain areas of the city, you can expect to find a whole gamut of wholesalers peddling anything from cut-price clothing, footwear, apparel and fashion accessories, to sun-dried foodstuffs and packaging material.
If you're looking for low-priced T-shirts, jeans, bags, shoes and other fashion accessories, a visit to the Pratunam area is an absolute must. Small stalls and countless of shops will overwhelm you with plentiful choices. You also can't miss the ubiquitous imitation designer merchandise. Still on a market high? Head to the almighty Chatuchak Weekend Market, another wholesale paradise where an endless choice of goods - from fabulous fashion items to chic home furniture - is available.
Besides the innumerable gold shops and the sensory overload induced by a simple stroll around Chinatown, the area is an ideal place to look for garments, textiles, stationery, electric goods, kitchen utensils, antiques, musical instruments, and ancient Chinese medicine, to name a few. Sampeng Lane, just south of Yaowarat Road, also offers incredible deals on wholesale items such as jewellery, silver, trinkets, toys, cheap household items, and even flip-flops. For a more detailed rundown of these wholesale experiences, our Markets section is the place to explore. |
