Thailand is the land of markets: there are night-time, indoor, outdoor, floating, amulet and all sorts of markets. Anything you can imagine can be found at a Thai market. That is why it is important to know what to pack and when to think twice before buying.
Silver articles
Artisan jewellers in Thailand are known for their delicacy and meticulousness. In fact, silver designs, necklaces, bracelets and earrings are usually pieces made with incredible craftsmanship.
The base piece is often decorated with gemstones and patterns typical of Thai culture in order to gain the protection of the gods.
Most of this jewellery is made of silver and many of its motifs are reminiscent of its exuberant nature and popular symbology; make sure that it is inscribed with ‘925’, which guarantees that almost all the material used is pure silver.
Silk
Silk manufacturing in Thailand is a tradition that began in the 13th century, when the kingdom of Siam became an exporter of silk and silk products. The silk is of high quality since the country’s artisans are very skilled at weaving silk to make all kinds of dresses. It is easy to find tailors in the big cities who make bespoke suits in natural silk, and in the markets you can find high quality fabrics to use as you wish.
Crafts
Craftsmanship in Thailand is a way of working that dates back to the origin of its people. In fact, Thais have almost thousand-year-old traditions such as silk work, basket weaving and pottery.
That is why, in addition to the typical Buddha and elephant figures, there are also handcrafted gems such as sculptures, puppets and masks from the country’s traditional theatre. Other highlights are the weavers, in silk or batik; the basket makers, with incredible handmade bags and hats; and the incense masters and jewellers, some of whom continue an age-old tradition of creating handmade copper bowls for temples.
Spices
Thailand is a spice lover’s paradise since traditional Thai food is often spiced with a variety of powders, chillies and sauces. It is easy to find in any village market or Bangkok market the stalls where spices are displayed with their strong smells, flavours and colours. One of the most popular purchases are curries, but red chillies for making the famous Sriracha sauce or Tamarind sauce are also widely sold.
Imitation jewellery
Thailand is one of the countries where you can buy gemstones at a much cheaper price than in the West, but you have to be careful because many times, in unauthorised places, you will be taken for a ride. The best thing to do is go to an official shop and make sure that the gemstone has the JFC quality mark, which is the Government’s seal of approval to guarantee the stone’s quality.
Shopping recommendations in Thailand
Although numerous shopping centres and shopping areas have sprung up such as in Bangkok, most tourists still shop for souvenirs in the traditional markets scattered throughout the country, which are open day and night. There are a number of recommendations to keep in mind.
The first is to ask about possible discounts. There is no hard bargaining as in other destinations, but they will always give a discount, especially if you have bought several things. The best way to reach a reasonable agreement is to check the price in various establishments and be aware of the real value of what you want to take home, so that you can avoid compulsive purchases at affordable prices that you may not even fit in our suitcase.
Quality seals, especially on beach jewellery and gemstones, should be taken into account to avoid being cheated.
