Shopping in Thailand is really fun and cheap. Shopping places all over the country can provide value-for-money transactions. In addition to traditional handicrafts, there are many modern and fashionable products, the quality of which reaches international standards and there are internationally renowned brands.

Thailand has become an important clothing producer and exporter, and the foreign exchange earned by woven fabrics ranks second in Thailand. Visitors can choose a variety of high-end shirts, suits, jackets, jeans, sportswear and so on. From local markets and department stores, and the price is only half that of similar products in Europe and America. Thai design has created many unique fashions, which can be seen everywhere in boutiques in Bangkok.

Almost all countries in Thailand have their own handicrafts, and Chiang Mai, known as the "northern rose", is undoubtedly the center of Thai handicrafts. Here, the technique of meticulous painting pattern has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. The products made by craftsmen include exquisite lacquerware, hand-painted paper umbrellas, meticulous wood carvings, silverware and green sea water celadon.

Exquisite jewelry is another popular product. A large number of tourists like to buy gold ornaments in Thailand because of their diverse styles and reasonable prices. Thailand's gemstones are dazzling, but you must choose a shop with reliable quality.

If you go to Thailand, you may wish to experience the excitement of the traditional Thai market. You can not only find many good and cheap goods here, but also have a deeper understanding of Thailand's simple traditional culture and customs. For example, the famous night market in Chiang Mai is full of local handicrafts; Pattaya is a small-scale sale, which is the epitome of Bangkok goods; Hoai, far away in the south, is the main distribution center for commodity trading in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

At the same time, large shopping centers that have been opened in recent years have gathered all kinds of shops, large and small, adding new fun to shopping. One of the most famous is the Siam Center in Bangkok, which is close to Siam International Hotel and contains many fashionable clothes. There are various internationally renowned brands in the World Trade Center, Gaisen Plaza and shopping malls. There are antique shops on the third and fourth floors of Hecheng Shopping Center next to Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel. In addition, Mah Boon Krong, opposite Siam Square, is a place to attract young Thai people.

Finally, another place to go is the supermarket in Thailand. Yichu Lotus Supermarket, Da C and Friendship, you can buy Thai cashews, squid slices, dried fish, fried pigskin and all kinds of dried fruits in these large supermarkets, and it is a good choice to take them home for yourself or feed them to relatives and friends.

Discount season

Generally speaking, the discount season in Thailand officially begins in late June of each year, and the mid-year discount will not end until the end of August. In terms of price, Bangkok can be said to be the cheapest shopping paradise in Asia because the basic price is lower than that of many cities. Many goods are cheaper than Beijing, Shanghai and even Hong Kong. Even if many brands don't discount, the price is less than half of that in China. Generally, there will be a bigger discount in the shopping season, and the tax refund is more cost-effective.

Refund of tax

It is required to buy a certain amount in the shopping mall marked "VAT refund for tourists" and leave the country within 60 days from the date of shopping. At the same time, when leaving the country, the total shopping amount is more than 5000 baht, and the daily consumption of a single store is not less than 2000 baht. Some shopping malls, such as Siam Palace in Bangkok, will require spending more than 5,000 baht on the same day to apply for tax refund.

How to apply for tax refund

After shopping, ask the store or shopping mall for the PP 10 form with the receipt, fill it out and submit it to the store for confirmation, which needs to be completed on the same day. The new PP 10 tax refund card can concentrate the consumption of different stores in one card, which is convenient for consumers.

Airport tax refund operation process

First, show your passport and shopping receipt at the VAT refund office of the airport customs. The staff will stamp your tax refund form (form PP 10), and sometimes you need to check the goods you bought.

After security check, VAT

You can choose cash refund, bill refund (extra bank bill fee and postage) or credit card transfer (extra bank transfer fee).

Matters needing attention

Keep all receipts and credit card receipts. The latest tax rebate rate is progressive, with a maximum of 6%. Another very significant change is the cancellation of the tax refund fee of 100 baht, which used to be charged no matter how much tax you could refund.