Shopping in Bangkok

Shopping in Bangkok

Thailand Travel Information , Dining in Thailand

Thailand and Bangkok have developed into one of the best and most popular shopping locations in Asia, and with good reason. Prices are low, quality generally high and the range and variety is pretty amazing - silks, gemstones, tailor-made clothes and traditional handicrafts are all highlights of Bangkok shopping. Most shops seem to be open 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday of the week, and nightmarkets carry on even after this time - all very convenient in being able to go shopping at basically any time you want. Buying a shopping map is very useful in order to get the most out of shopping in Bangkok - despite the garish colours, the 'Nancy Chandler' map is actually very useful and probably the best.

Thailand - Eat Like a Local

Silks, nielloware, lacquerware, silverware, bronzeware, pewterware, pottery, gemstones and jewelry and all types of handicrafts are particularly good souvenirs of a trip to Thailand, while clothes and tailor-made clothes are widely available and inexpensive. Fake goods of all types abound and can be bought at a fraction of a cost of originals. There are different manufacturers of fake goods, so the 'Rolex' watch costing 6000B will be better than the 2000B one, which in turn is superior to the one at 500B.

Most vendors and staff at stores speak good enough English, though non-fixed prices are often bargained by you and the vendor taking turns in typing numbers into a calculator. It's worth learning how to say the numbers in Thai - this is easy, will save the calculator routine and may well get you cheaper prices too.

Street stalls and shops on the street will generally have lower prices for the same product than those paying premium rents in hotel shopping arcades and some higher end shopping centers and department stores. The price difference can also reflect on the quality of the product though.

Duty Free shopping can be done at the Thailand Duty Free Shops Company branch in the World Trade Center on Ratchadamri road. Goods can be pre-ordered here and then picked up at the airport - you have to show your passport and airline ticket in order to make a purchase. It's not really worth it unless you are particularly short of time at the airport.

Many of the larger and more specialized shops now offer shipping abroad, and they will sort out the necessary documents and permits for this. Insurance should also be included. If you don't feel comfortable with this, there are specialized companies that will do it and sort out the arrangements for a fee. The GPO also has a parcel-wrapping service, and smaller items can be mailed from here. Another option is to go Thai Airways office on 485 Silom road and, for a fee, they will ship them and sort out documentation for you.

Christmas at Harbour City

Blissful Christmas at Harbour City | Hong Kong winter festival


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Feel the joy of Christmas with the mechanical Christmas decorations, at Harbour City will feature snowmen with snowflakes along with stars creating a sparkling starry sky.
On Schedule
Date : 15 Nov – 1 Jan 2008
Time : 6:15pm – 9:45pm (Extended to 10:45pm from 15 Dec, Every 30 minutes)
Venue : Ocean Terminal Forecourt, Harbour City

also see Christmas in Hong Kong, What to wear in Hong Kong December

Hong Kong Weather January

Hong Kong Weather January

If you are visiting Hong Kong in January you will find the weather to be generally very cool, but it is somewhat luck whether or not it will be clear and bright. On a sunny day it may go up to 21C, but during the middle of the night drop to 10C. There will be big differences between day and night and you’ll need a jacket in the evening.

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Most years January has weather that is good for going out, it is a continuation of the good autumn weather, but in some years it gets cloudy and there is some rain; though rarely heavy.


Days of bright sunshine are common though sadly the sky is rarely solid blue these days, but that’s more about air pollution than the weather. You may get lucky though with a clear windy day when it blows the filth away!

Hong Kong weather in December

Hong Kong weather in December

Hong Kong in December it is very clearly winter -- and it is COLD. Temperature can drop to 10 C. Temperature range from 14C to 20C, humidity 72 percent. Occational chills make wollens and overcoats worth bringging. What to wear in hong kong December.

Hotels, restaurants and shops are heated fine though -- at least the medium to good ones. It'll be cold in hostels, cheapie hotels, and so on. Outdoor eating, like at the seafood restaurants in Sai Kung and Cheung Chau, will be fine in the day but may not be so comfortable in the evening.

It is Christmas in Hong Kong (December) though so everybody is out shopping and there is plenty of fake plastic snow in the shops, but you won't find any real snow!

Hong Kong shopping guide, Hong Kong Shopping Hours.

The weather actually alternates, at the rate of about one cycle per 5 days, between two types. There is the super-cold (10C) overcast days which gradually brighten until it changes to the other type which is a warm (18-20C) and very bright and sunny day. Still cold in the shade or at night, but in the day time in the sun it's actually short-sleeve weather for those of you from Europe or the US!

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If you don't mind cold then actually its quite a nice time to be visiting Hong Kong. When you came to Hong Kong on this winter weather ( Mid December to February ) , Stay long enough to be here during some of the bright days and it's really good for photography as the sky is blue (a rarity in Hong Kong) and the air is dry (by our standards, about 60%) which makes for a better view.

Hong Kong Weekend Markets

Hong Kong Sunday and Weekend Markets

Hong Kong winterfest, What to wear in Hong Kong December, Cosmetics store in Hong Kong

The Sunday market outside the Gold Coast Hotel in Tuen Mun sells handicrafts and clothing accessories. You can get there on a HK$10 shuttle bus from Tsuen Wan MTR station (B3 exit). Of a weekend you might wish to venture up the hill above Wanchai to the Borrett Road Market on the second Sunday of each month (10am to 5pm) for a trawl through home-baked stuff, organic foods, clothes, sculpture, art, and specialist fare. This is an open-air market so keep an eye on the weather. The market has expanded to include a Pokfulam Market on the third Sunday of every month on Hong Kong's quiet residential west coast with an open-air grassy spot at Level 4 CyberPlaza, Cyberport 2.

Festival Walk Hong Kong

Kowloon Tong & Festival Walk, Hong Kong

Another vast Hong Kong shopping mall is Festival Walk. Take the C exit at Kowloon Tong Station. This is a great spot for the family with ice-skating at Glacier (HK$50 for most sessions, except morning sessions on Mondays to Thursdays, which are HK$45), junk nibbles and more. Though books are not cheap in Hongkong, drop by Page One and enjoy their café. A coffee starts at around $30, but beware their surly no returns policy (receipt and packaging notwithstanding). Major stores include Marks & Spencer, Log-On, Franc Franc, Toys “R” Us, Royal Sporting House, Glacier, Christian Dior, Coach, IT, H&M, and more.
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Nice suits are available at G2000, Cour Carre, Mexx, Club Monaco, Moiselle and Brooks Brothers. A personal favourite is Giordano Ladies. Men can meanwhile find other distractions at Bang & Olufsen.

Shopping in Mongkok Hong Kong

Shopping in Mongkok Hong Kong

There is more than a bit of the Wild West in Mongkok but this is the place for rock-bottom deals on anything from fashion to mobile phones and electrical appliances. This is another hot spot for digital cameras and videos. Take the MTR E2 exit and walk into Yau Shing Commercial Centre on your left. There are six floors selling cameras, digital videos, DVD players and other appliances. On the 16th floor you have Global Audio, 14/F Veto, 13/F Radio Unison, 10/F Century AV Centre, 9/F Cam2, 8/F Super King , 7/F International and 6/F Yau Shing. Prices vary but do bargain stoutly. Some products here do not have warranties so do check this aspect as well.

If you’re in a rush, pop into a Broadway or Fortress in Sai Yeung Choi Street and you’ll certainly find your gadget. Or try Wing Shing Photo Supplies Co. Next shops on Hong Kong shopping guide.

HONG KONG Tourist Informations - best time to visit Hong kong
Do you plan to go to Hong Kong this December?! also check Hong Kong weather December , What to wear in Hong Kong December , Hong Kong Winterfest 2008


Walk along Nelson Street, and the first street parallel to Sai Yeung Choi is the Ladies Market where you’ll find bargain clothes, bags, toys, VCDs, fake Rolex watches and so on. The next parallel street is Fa Yuen Street South, which specialises in sports shoes and sportswear.

At the MTR Argyle Street D2 exit, you’ll find Argyle Centre which sells cheap fashion items – a T-shirt will set you back at just HK$30 (US$4). Another street which sells similar items plus some export or import fashion is Fa Yuen Street North (MTR B3 exit). Check out Me & George Import Shop. Their prices start at HK$10 – no kidding.

tips:
you can learn
Hong Kong Important Phrases for bargaining with the locals

On Argyle Street is the Commercial Podium Sincere House. In local Cantonese it is referred to as “Sin Tat”. Here you’ll find all manner of mobile phones and accessories. Some shops do trade-ins and warranties are not always available. Langham Place on Shanghai Street is a humungous hi-tech mall hosting over 100 trendy boutique stores, such as the likes of Seibu, French Connection, H&M, Muji and a cinema. The mall also features the 83m "xpresscalator", a speedy way to get from the fourth to the eight floors. Mong Kok, or Mongkok as it is commonly written, is a warren of shoe shops amidst the electronics extravaganza. If you are buying sports shoes in Hong Kong, this is the perhaps the best place to head to for a deal. You'll find Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Nike and more. Check around to make sure the brand is legit. also check! Hong Kong Shopping Hours.


Also slugging it out are French cosmetics giants Marionnaud Paris (101 Nathan Rd, TST) and the new Sephora (Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Rd, Mongkok) more
Cosmetics stores in Hong Kong that promises a user-friendly hands-on experience. The Sephora store is huge and will appeal to the younger set.