Bangkok is famous for its bustling nightlife, street food and majestic temples. During my recent trip to Bangkok, I realized that my most favorite part was shopping in this city. With a plethora of malls and night markets, Bangkok is shopper's heaven. From fashion to stationery, decor and much more, you name it and everything is here. The night markets and Chinatown brimmed with everything from handcrafted jewelry to traditional Thai textiles, each item more enticing than the last.
With careful planning, I navigated this vibrant maze, ensuring I maximized my finds without overspending. For anyone looking to shop in Bangkok, arriving with a budget in mind is essential. The city offers an abundance of affordable options, ensuring you can bring home a suitcase full of memories without breaking the bank.
To make it more easy to shop, I have made a list of souvenirs which I saw and some which I bought in the Thai markets.
1. Handmade Soap
The Thai handmade / carved soaps are a wonderful souvenir you can take back home for your friends and family. Available in many flavours, these soaps are carved into shapes like tropical fruits like mango, mangosteen, avocado, coconut and papaya. The are also available in flower shape. With a beautiful fragrance and eye-catching colourful shapes, these are a treat to the eye and skin.
Where to find : Available in all shopping malls like ICONSIAM, Terminal 21, MBK and Platinum Fashion Mall.
2. Foldable Bags
The foldable bags were a practical find, perfect for carrying my treasures home. Lightweight and colorful, they easily fit into my suitcase when not in use. Each bag featured fun designs, adding a touch of whimsy to my shopping. Being eco friendly and reusable, these are a great gifting option too.
Where to buy: Platinum Fashion Mall
3. Cosmetics & Spa Products
I couldn’t resist exploring the local cosmetics, known for their quality and unique formulations. Many brands emphasize natural ingredients, making them a great choice for skincare enthusiasts. Formulations including lemongrass, coconut, tamarind are a common sight. One can also find many spa products like oils, reed diffusers, aromas and essence in Thai souvenir shops. Experience the essence of Bangkok at the comfort of your home with these Thai wellness products.
Where to buy: Major shopping malls like MBK , Platinum Shopping Mall, or shopping markets like Big C and 7-Eleven. Don Don Donki - MBK Mall
4. Stationery
The stationery items were a delightful surprise, with their charming designs and high quality. You find many stationery shops in almost all the shopping malls and even in major book stores. You can also find multiple stationery items imported from Japan too. Planners, washi tapes , cute pen and pencils, kawaii bags, storage boxes and more, you name it and its there.
Where to buy: Loft, Kinokuniya ( for Japanese Stationery) and Moshi Moshi ( their branch in ChinaTown and 3 floors filled with goodies for stationery lovers).
5. Thai Fashion - Clothes & Accessories
From fashionable dress to comfy loungewear, earrings to hair clips, Bangkok is a must visit destination for fashion lovers. Elephant pants are a must have souvenirs, known for their comfort and colourful pattern. Also, there are plenty of shops selling fashion accessories like earrings, hair clips, wrist bands,watches and much more. They were super affordable, pretty and also of good quality.
Where to Buy: Platinum Fashion Mall, ChinaTown - Sampeng Market, Pratunam Night Market
6. Thai Snacks
Bangkok , known for its vibrant street food culture, also has a wide variety of packed foods and snacks available in supermarkets. They are also a great gifting option for your foodie friends back home. You get dried fruits ( mango, durian, mangosteen,pineapple and more) , dried nuts and even dried , spicy seafood. Salted cashew nuts are a must try. Also, in Lays there are multiple flavors like Kam Krob Ros, Extra Barbecue, Spicy Squid and Seaweed. My favourite was the seaweed flavour. You also get MILO flavoured chocolate bars and milkshakes which have great sweet chocolatey taste. Try the crispy seaweed sheets ( available in many flavours ).
Where to buy: 7-Elevens , Don Don Donki in MBK Mall
7. Thai Medicine - Balm and Inhalers
Popular for their natural scents, Thai balms and inhalers are known for their healing properties. These small yet powerful remedies are crafted from natural ingredients, perfect for everyday ailments.Available in different brands, these balms and inhalers do work wonders. Inhalers are great for a congested nose.
Carry back these pocket-sized ailments as wellness souvenirs to back home.
Where to Buy: 7-Elevens, any pharmacy near your hotel in Bangkok has these readily available.
8. Thai Trinkets
Small trinkets like sparkling keychains, khon masks , postcards, fans are available in any souvenir shop and major shopping malls. Small in size, they are easy to carry and great for gifting. You can also get beautiful passport covers ,personalized with name and logo in malls for an affordable price.
Where to Buy: Platinum Fashion Mall, Terminal 21
9. Magnets
Magnets are a must-buy souvenir for me whenever I visit any country. These small pieces are colourful, useful and also area reminder of the places we visit. Each magnet features iconic symbols of Bangkok, from temples to tuk-tuks. Whether it's the typical magnet with the country name or something more exotic you can find them in Bangkok. You also get pretty magnets which are miniatures of Thai delicacies. They are a great addition on your fridge.
Where to Buy: MBK , ICONSIAM ( stall markets in Sook Siam floor)
10. Benjarong Porcelain and Koh Kret Pottery
Benjarong porcelain and Koh Kret Pottery is a stunning representation of Thai craftsmanship, characterized by its intricate designs and vibrant colors. Each piece is handcrafted, making it a unique addition to my collection. Each piece would be a great addition to your showcase.
Where to Buy: ICONSIAM , MBK Mall
Some more tips to keep in mind while shopping :
1. Many shops have a fixed price for their products, but do not hesitate to bargain.
2. The lower floors in shopping malls, especially MBK , seemed to have higher priced products. Always visit all the shops to get an idea about the price and then complete your purchase.
3. The MOSHI-MOSHI in Chinatown is the best place to visit compared to its other branches. Spanning across three floors, it has everything from stationery to bags and home accessories.
4. I found MBK Mall to be extremely overpriced compared to other shopping spots. So try to keep it as the last resort or the last place to check off on your To-Visit list.
5. Bangkok has a very famous weekend market, known as Chatuchak Market. It opens only on Fri- Sunday. So if going to Bangkok on a weekend, do not forget to visit this market. It is a one-stop shopping destination for all souvenirs.
6. The more you buy, the lesser the price. Many shops offer you a lesser , wholesale price when you buy 3 or more pieces of the same product. So make sure to ask the shopkeeper what the wholesale price is.
And don’t forget to grab a sturdy suitcase—because let’s be honest, you’ll need something to haul all those treasures home without looking like a pack rat!
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