| Thailand Travel Information: What
to Buy
Shopping in Thailand offers you the most value of money for
its cheap price, but relatively of high quality. There is a
large array of products to choose from, but the most popular
ones are Thai exquisite handicrafts which can be found in
various places in tourists areas throughout the country.
Silk: Thai silk is world famed for its high quality
and beautiful design. However, there are several grades of silk
which vary in prices, too. Cheap silk is often just rayon or
rough silk interwoven with synthetics. Silk of high-quality with
hand-woven texture is sold about 500-800 per a yard. Thai silk
is characterized by its uneven texture and a formation of little
sweatlike bead when burnt. The two main production centers of
Thai silk are at Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Antiques: Among the sought-after items are: swankhalok
pottery from the Sukhothai period, carvings and sculptures,
ornamental wood fragments, puppets, masks, and silver bowl. All
antiques can only be exported with written permission from the
Antique Art Business Division (Tel.02-224-1370) of the Fine Arts
Department. All Buddha images and other images of other deities
dating from before 18th century are protected by Thai not to be
exported.
Wood carving: An ancient Thai art handed down from the
Sukhothai period. Most of wood carving production centers
scatter around in the northern region of Thailand such as
Lampang, Prae, Nan, and Chiang Mai. There are a wide variety of
wood-carved works ranging from furniture, household utensils,
decorative objects and many souvenir items.
Silverware: Silverware-making is an ancient art of
Thailand dating several centuries. Thai silverware, particularly
ornaments, is in great demand in the world market for its
exquisite craftsmanship. The two main productions centers of
silverware are Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Gems and jewelry: Thai's gems and jewelry is famous
for its high-grade gemstones, notably rubies and sapphires
together with its skillful craftsmen and expert designers.
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