SHOPPING/BANGKOK

From my own experience of long-term travel, clothes get ruined very quickly - so it's just not worth spending money buying a load of stuff before you go - Asia is dusty and hot and sweaty and the laundry services are variable in quality. That's the first thing to say. I ended up chucking out 80% of what I'd bought within the first month of being away. From then on I bought/discarded stuff every couple of months, and did a constant culling of my rucksack.

Second, Bangkok is pretty good for shopping. It has a huge shopping mall called the MBK centre which has lots of different outlets plus 'market' type clothes on the top floor. One word of warning: if you're shopping in the fashion outlets, bear in mind Thai women are TINY. Tiny tiny tiny. So a size 'small' in Thailand will normally barely fit on your arm, never mind anywhere else. It's VERY soul-destroying. So you will need to drink before and after doing this.

Better clothes to be had are actually in the tourist/travellers' areas, where there are loads of markets everywhere - that's where you get all the fishermans pants and tops etc, also they sell dresses. There is no shortage anywhere of possibilities to buy clothes. And yes they are cheaper. And you can get nicer, and more appropriate for the climate, stuff over there, than you can in the uk.

Having said all that, you have to accept that you are not a woman and cannot possibly understand how important it is to feel that you have enough stuff with you, and some nice stuff too. After all, she has to put SOMETHING in her rucksack otherwise what's the point in taking it?!
My advice to her - again, from my own experience - take one or two nice things with, so you always know you've got something nice to wear. Apart from that, literally a couple of tops, maybe one skirt, one pair of three-quarter lengths (or whatever - whatever is her style) so she doesn't have to feel like she's arriving and will have to go shopping frantically in the first few days.

😊) hope that's helpful. Most importantly, have a great trip (which is guaranteed - Asia's an amazing place). Reply to this

Hello John 😊

Your partner would indeed be able to buy clothes easily in Bangkok. There are huge shopping malls and also some street markets. It used to be that it was difficult to buy clothes to fit Western people in Thailand but that has changed. It might be an idea if she buys underwear at home. I heard that it can still be difficult to get our sizes in Thailand.

I am not so sure the clothes in Bangkok will be a third of the price of over here anymore. I have bought some very inexpensive clothes and shoes in Germany during the last few years.

Mel Reply to this

a lot of good shopping mall in Thailand especially in Pathumwan area.
Central World Plaza, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Square
All above are fantastic, clean and have high standard.

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