MBK Department Store Bangkok. Be Careful of Being Ripped Off.

Some things never change. I remember years ago when Hong Kong was a great place to shop for electronics.
Vendors had a reputation for being cagey when dealing with tourists shopping for electronic bargains.
It seems similar practices still exist today and I found evidence of this at another famous shopping area in Bangkok.
MBK is a huge mall in central Bangkok that is well frequented by tourists.
The fourth floor of MBK is devoted to electronics and mobile phones.

At first glance everything seems fine. As you walk past the vendors and inquire about the products on your short list, you think you have found some bargains.
Prices of well known brand names are much cheaper here than in other places.
Well at least that is what you think until you return to one of the vendors who quoted you a really low price on that mp3 player.

You take out your wallet and are ready to handover your hard earned money and just before you hand it to the vendor, you ask to check the contents of the box.
When the box is opened you notice there is no charger or manual inside.


You think that maybe the vendor forgot to put the manual and charger back in the box but no.
The vendor tells you that if you want the manual and charger you will have to pay extra.
Your bargain has just gone down the drain.
You argue that the charger and manual are part of the product but the vendor slyly shakes his head
Be careful of vendors at MBK. If they can get you to hand over your cash before you check the exact contents, you will find yourself ripped off.
Not every vendor in MBK is dishonest but many will take advantage of you if you drop your guard.

Best Value Hotels For Your Bangkok Stay

First House Hotel

Do you want to make your buying trip a success? You will need to keep costs low.
Let me say first off that like anywhere else in the world you get nothing for nothing, but there is some great value accommodation in Bangkok.
If you are a budget traveler but are not really into the backpacker super cheap accommodation then these two hotels might fit the bill.

The First House Hotel is a well run, older style hotel for about $30 a night. You get a buffet breakfast for two people included in the rate. The great thing about this hotel is that you are right on the doorstep of Pratunam Market. This hotel is well patronized by business people who are looking for a cost efficient base for their buying trip.

The Bangkok City Suite Hotel is a new hotel that you can book with directly.

It boasts a bargain price of $25 per night which includes a buffet breakfast for two and free wifi for guests. The main disadvantage with this hotel is its out of the way location.
It is located well away from established shopping areas.
On the brighter side, you can catch a taxi for about $2 that will take you right where you want to go.
I have stayed in both these hotels so I am talking from experience.

http://www.bangkoksuite.com/accom.html

http://www.hoteleasy.com/Hotel/Bankok/First%20House/index.html

Stop! Never Pay Retail Prices.

Stop! Never Pay Retail.

One of the more interesting markets in Bangkok is Chatuchak Market.
What makes a visit to the market more rewarding is that it is heavily patronized by tourists.
The heavy traffic has attracted the interest of the manufacturing sector and you will find most of the stalls are run by families who have factories producing Thai made goods.

This presents a great opportunity for the quantity buyer to buy bulk at a much cheaper price.
If you add all the other costs of shipping and taxes, you will see that Chatuchak Market is the place to buy wholesale.
Whether you are a casual or serious buyer, this market is a must.
There is enough variety of goods here to replicate a Thai stall back home, or for the gift buyer, to save a fortune compared to regular shop prices.


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More Food Vendors Of Bangkok

Thai Food. Roadside Service

Thai Food is famous for its spicy flavor.

Street vendors serve small portions by Western standards but low overheads mean cheap prices and you can purchase a couple of courses for about 60 baht. Two serves of different
dishes will fill the spot for an average Westerner.

Chatuchak Market

An excellent market for the quantity buyer, I have been there several times and picked up bargains that I have taken back to Australia for resale.
It’s a sticky crowded market and if you can stand the heat and narrow isles for more than an hour you are doing well. All the goods are offered at low prices that could go much lower, provided you bargain hard enough
Browse through clothes, handicrafts, "antiques," orchids, pets and even army surplus. It’s all there. You could spend all day here and still not hope to have explored everything the market offers.
What appeals to me is the opportunity is there to make some great money.
Many of the stalls are owned by small factory owners that want to cash in on the hordes of tourists. For those that are savvy enough, it provides the chance to buy in quantity without trekking out to the factories in the provinces.
Thai silk items are a great buy and the range to choose from is amazing. Just show them your wad of cash and bargain your way into a great deal.
Where else in the world can you buy great merchandise that has a considerable amount of hand made input at these prices?

Pratunam market

Pratunam Market in Bangkok is one of the two major markets in Bangkok. It is a maze of alleyways, backstreets and basement areas that aggregate into one large retail and wholesale market.
Essentially it is a clothing market that has something for everybody, because although the area is geared to wholesale business, the small shops will gladly sell you a sample of their product at retail price.
The concept is different to other markets. Usually markets consist of makeshift stalls that are taken down at days end but Pratunam consists of permanent shops and also roadside stalls both fiercely vying for the consumer dollar.
You will find the Pratunam area deluged by international buyers who are there to export finished Thai products in to their own country. Unlike China, there are great opportunities to buy wholesale with out having to place very large orders with the suppliers.
Best buys are T-shirts, jeans, ladies fashion and souvenirs of Thai made products.
It is also a great place to sample Thai food made freshly for you by roadside vendors. Eat it there or take some soup home in a plastic bag. Either way it’s “ aroi” as the Thais say. The word means delicious.
Thai food has a reputation for being just that.


Pratunam Market in Bangkok is one of the two major markets in Bangkok. It is a maze of alleyways, backstreets and basement areas that aggregate into one large retail and wholesale market.
Essentially it is a clothing market that has something for everybody, because although the area is geared to wholesale business, the small shops will gladly sell you a sample of their product at retail price.
The concept is different to other markets. Usually markets consist of makeshift stalls that are taken down at days end but Pratunam consists of permanent shops and also roadside stalls both fiercely vying for the consumer dollar.
You will find the Pratunam area deluged by international buyers who are there to export finished Thai products in to their own country. Unlike China, there are great opportunities to buy wholesale with out having to place very large orders with the suppliers.
Best buys are T-shirts, jeans, ladies fashion and souvenirs of Thai made products.
It is also a great place to sample Thai food made freshly for you by roadside vendors. Eat it there or take some soup home in a plastic bag. Either way it’s “ arroi” as the Thais say. The word means delicious.
Thai food has a reputation for being just that.