For those of you who frequently travel outside of the country, you may have noticed these duty free shops. They sell a variety of products from liquor, to perfume, chocolates, souvenirs, etc. Actually you will find most of them in international airports or at select shopping locations in the country of destination, quite often at big five star hotels. Items sold at duty free are free of duty in the country where the item is bought in the sense that they don't have any value added tax added. For some there is a tax but you are given a rebate form to claim back the tax before you leave the country. This is the reason why some people especially the foreigners would want to buy items in these shops.
Before you buy at these duty free shops though, it is imperative for you to compare whether the merchandise here are priced way much lower than what we have at home. You will come to realize though that duty free shops in the city will give better value than those found in airports where you can expect a much higher rent. If you have the luxury of time, visit these duty free shops before you leave the country to go home.
You will notice that airport duty free shops have limited choices and selections usually targeted at higher end goods though you cannot deny the convenience the airport offers for some last minute shopping of souvenirs and gifts that may have been forgotten. This is also the avenue where you can get rid of the local currency whose amount would turn out to be immaterial if we have it changed back to dollars or our own currency.
If you do intend to spend your remaining currency in the airport duty free shop, select something like a souvenir to remind you of the country you visited.
I would strongly suggest for you to reclaim back the tax you have paid if any at the duty free office inside the airport. Usually you will be filling up a rebate form that will be provided at the duty free shop or for some the office will just require you to present all the receipts and goods that you purchased at the duty free store. You will realize that buying in these duty free shops is way much cheaper than if you purchased at other shops as long as you make a visit to the duty free office prior to your departure from the country.
The capital as well as the largest city in Thailand, Bangkok is one of the Asia's most popular shopping destinations. Everything from clothing, fashion accessories, and traditional handicraft items to electronic and computer related peripherals can be shopped here. High quality items, low prices, and amazing range of items, are all the highlights of shopping in Bangkok.
Many of the shopping malls in Bangkok are open from 10 hrs to 21 hrs everyday. For those who do not have enough time for shopping during day time, then one of the best options for shopping are night markets, which is open late night. With a rich spectrum of shopping malls and markets, Bangkok has everything to cater to all types of shopping enthusiasts.
One of the most popular destinations for shopping in Bangkok is Siam Square, which is strategically situated at Central Station on the BTS Sky Train route. A substantial number of shopping areas can be found here, among which popular are Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center. After a whole day's shopping, climb the top floor of the Siam Discovery Center, where you can find an elegant cinema complex with relaxing as well as comfortable seats.
Just few blocks away from the Siam Center is another much famed shopping mall in the area, namely, Mahboonkrong Shopping Center, which is packed with an array of shops selling items at bargain prices. Popular shopping destinations in the city also include the World Trade Center, located close to the Chit Lom BTS Sky Train Station. It is home to a number of shopping malls such as Isetan and ZEN, apart from a number of duty free shops. Found on the top floor of the center is an ice skating rink and movie theatres.
For those interested in shopping items such as jewelry, clothing items, and handicraft items, then one of the options would be to head any of the number of smaller shopping mall scattered across the Silom Road, which in turn is regarded as the commercial heart of the city.
Shopping in the city would not be complete without taking a tour to the Chinatown, where you can find the largest concentration of gold outlets in the country. This area also contains a good number of shrines. Nearby Chinatown is Ban Mor, packed with a number of street outlets selling quality jewelry items. No other area in the city would be better than Sukhumvit, for those interested in shopping antique items such as Thai period furniture and exquisitely crafted ancient wooden items.
Also, a much famed shopping option is Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is not only a great spot for shopping but also a great spot for savoring Thai delicacies. Other popular shopping options available in the city are Lang Krasuang Market, Pratunam Market, Patpong Night Market, Pak Klong Market, Banglampoo Market, Thewet Market, and Thieves Market, alternatively known as Woeng Nakhon Kasem.
However, shopping in Bangkok is not just confined to these areas. Many of the top notch hotels in the area also provide excellent options for shopping. Along with superb accommodation attached with amenities such as air conditioning and comfortable beds, world class restaurants serving sumptuous cuisines, and other facilities such as swimming pools, kids' area, spa and massage services, and business centers, these hotels offer superb shopping choices.
This in turn is a one stop for shopping all types of items such as Thai arts and crafts, designer clothing and fashion accessories, jewelry, kids' items, cosmetic items and perfumes, costume jewelry, and sun glasses and sports related items.
Further, these malls also carry items of such top brands as Cartier, Chopard, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, and Mont Blanc. In addition, there are also some facilities providing special discounts on a particular brand of item or sometimes on all types of items you shop from here.
With these superb options, shopping in Bangkok is truly a great experience. Shopping in Bangkok has been even made easier with the launching of hotels providing specialized areas for duty free shopping. In short, it is not a wonder why Bangkok has been considered a shoppers' paradise.
Both Jena Luthovski & Wolfgang Jaegel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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