Getting Best buys: In Thailand

For most of us, Hong Kong is synonymous with great shopping but not anymore. There are other places in ASEAN that vie for the title of Shopping Paradise in Asia. One of these is Thailand. On the occasion of the country's celebration of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Accession to the throne on June 9, 2006, a Grand Sale will take place from June 16 until August 15, 2006. Major cities will participate in this tourism pitch, like Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Pattaya and Nakhon Ratchasima.

We were just in Bangkok, under the kind invitation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), through TAT-Philippines Marketing Representative Dave de Jesus who was with us in the media trip to the country's capital city.

Of course, our topmost agenda from day 1 was shopping! Even before I arrived in Bangkok, I received messages from my younger son Allen on my mobile phone regarding data about his order of La Coste shirts. I found out that these branded shirts cost a lot cheaper in Thailand than in the Philippines, so I brought back more than half a dozen for my sons... and what a bargain did I make! I got some from a store that gave 20%discount off the rack rate (which is standard in all La Coste outlets, and cheaper than the Philippine tag price). Since I had specific colors and styles to follow, I went to two malls: Siam Paragon (with the mall-side sale) and Central Department Store. What is most convenient between these two malls is that train stations are situated in the respective mall complexes. I just took a short train ride from one to the other to complete my purchases! No hot streets to cross, no bustling pedestrian sidewalks to hurdle.

We did a night market on the day we arrived. It was like Dau market (of Angeles City, Pampanga) or Nepo Mart (in Manila) in set-up, and as warm and humid. Nonetheless, one forgets the discomfort when one sees the bargain prices of beautiful cotton clothes, silk scarves and blouses, teak or brass household items, intricate Thai handicrafts, accessories galore, handbags, shoes, sandals - anything and everything that suits one's fancy, at incredibly reasonable prices. But don't forget the art of haggling!

Chinatown in Bangkok is a wondrous world of wholesalers. The price of getting an item lowers to almost half, if one gets at least three or more of that item! The trick is to travel in groups who will buy in bulk. Teeming with herb stores, fruit stalls, veggie and dried food items along serpentine alleys that lead to smaller circuitous routes, Chinatown-Bangkok is the place for the best bargains in town.

Another shopping haven is MBK (Maboonkrung) - a multi-storey shopping complex that reminds me of Tutuban or Divisoria. It is comfortably air-conditioned and stops are arranged homogeneously: one floor blinds the eyes with all the glittering gold and diamonds in the glass counters. It was here that I got my silk cloths and my good quality leather belts. There are also reliable money changers to run to, when one is depleted of baht which is sooner than soon! And one must remember that Bangkok is the place to buy those semi-precious colored stones like sapphires, rubies, peridots, topazes, etc. These stones are splattered on the various floors of MBK so one can't miss them.

So, for the 2006 Thailand Grand Sale, it will be a steal! Aside from the 10% - 50% discounts in all participating stores and shopping complexes, international tourists will be entitled to a raffle draw with special prizes involving hotels and airlines. What's more, if one uses his/her VISA credit card, one gets a raffle coupon for every 500 baht. Chevrolet cars are at stake!

See you in Thailand with bulging bags on the way back home?

The Thailand Grand Sale promo has a discount booklet valid until December 2006. Get this booklet at the TAT-Manila office or through your local travel agent.