If it’s bargains on the world’s most famous brand names you’re after, look no further than the modern department stores and malls of Bangkok and other major cities.  Smiling, knowledgeable sales staff will guide you through a bewildering array of products, styles and sizes.  Ever-competitive, the big stores have a seemingly constant calendar of sales, promotions and discounts.

How about products with more of a local flavour?  Thailand was the prime mover of the modern renaissance of that most ancient of luxury fabrics, silk.  Thai silk is still regarded as the world’s best, now adapted to all kinds of clothing and accessory items in a myriad of wonderful colours, styles and textures.

Woven products from all around the country have distinct regional styles and motifs.  In addition, the various regions provide an endless variety of handicrafts and works of art created in every natural material from humble bamboo to beautiful gold, jade, emeralds and rubies.

Interested in antiques?  With a culture that dates back thousands of years, there are still fine antiques to be found (although we’d recommend the guidance of experts to ensure that you’re buying the real thing, and not breaking any laws).  As well as real antiques, many vendors specialise in fine replicas … in most cases they’re still hand-crafted in exactly the same fashion as the originals.

No trip to Thailand would be complete without a wander around Bangkok’s famous Weekend Market (now easily accessible by the BTS Skytrain).  Acre upon acre of every possible type of product – food, pottery, furniture, clothing, pots and pans, you name it.  Shopping at this gigantic market is an experience in itself, and everything is negotiable, so here’s your chance to fine-tune your bargaining skills.