Most of us When on Holiday, like to spend some time shopping for souvenirs or something special to remind you of your holiday. Thailand is a true shopper’s paradise, bargains can be found in every city and town you visit.

Markets in Thailand are a way of life, in cities and towns they are plentiful, and most villages have at least one. Large cities and towns in Thailand are famous for there night markets and night bazaars. The floating markets of Bangkok are favorites with tourists and worth visiting. Shopping malls, department stores and outlet centers can be found in cities and towns throughout Thailand. They offer plenty of bargains, food courts and western fast food outlets.

A favorite with Thais and Tourists alike are the giant superstores and saver centers. Nowadays where ever you are in Thailand you are never far from one, with the exception of remote locations. The attraction is the variety on offer, special promotions, designer shops, banks ATM Machines, gold shops and telephone centers. There is many small stalls a food court and fast food, such as KFC, MacDonald's, Pizza and Coffee Shops, good to visit in the afternoon to cool down.

Shopping in Thailand is easy and can be very rewarding, the following Tips are useful when out shopping especially when making gem and jewellery purchases. Never let a tout or new found friend take you shopping, stores give commission to these people, and the cost is reflected in the price you pay.

Shop around to compare prices, important with gems and jewellery, obtain a receipt for goods bought and check it is correct before leaving the shop. Reputable companies may offer a full refund although usually only within a certain time limit.

Fixed prices are normal in department stores. Designer shops and in most shopping mails, all major credit cards are accepted. Small shops, street stalls and markets never accepted the asking price, bargaining is acceptable and expected, in Thailand be prepared to haggle, prices can be up to 50% less.

Bangkok is a Shoppers Paradise, with so many shopping areas, where to start? Street stalls, Markets, Night Bazaars, Bangkok's Chinatown, luxury shopping malls and department stores. Air conditioned shopping marts like the Mahboonkrong Center (MBK) which is close to Siam Square, and conveniently located at the BTS Sky Train  National Stadium Station.

When you want to cool down walk into the air conditioned Siam Centre from the main concourse, next door to the centre, and connected by a enclosed walkway is Siam Discovery Centre. The two shopping centers have many up market brand label shops and the large Tower Records. On the top floor of Siam Discovery Centre  is a cinema complex.

Siam Paragon is an massive shopping mall right in the heart of Bangkok, anchored by the Paragon department store and also featuring the Siam Ocean World Aquarium, the largest aquarium in South East Asia.

The fourth floor has a very good selection of modern Thai arts and crafts, as well as a large Kinokuniya bookstore. Great eating options in the basement, including a gourmet supermarket, two food courts and a canal lined strip of fancy restaurants.

Pantip Plaza is an IT Center on Phetburi Road a short taxi ride from the BTS Sky Train station. Its a computer heaven, consisting of hundreds of shops on every floor selling hardware and software, both originals and pirated. Many people go there to buy computer hardware and copy software.

The Emporium Shopping Center, Sukhumvit Soi 24 is the top competitor to Gaysorn Plaza, with lower floors dedicated to brands like Louis Vuitton and Rolex, but (unlike Gaysorn) it has more affordably priced goods on the upper floor levels. The Emporium also has a popular food court and a good selection of restaurants on the 5th floor.

The shopping centre has a cinema on the top floor, plus an amazing private library centered around design. You can get a free day pass. Spend the day reading amazing books, or just using the internet.

Central World Plaza is on the corner of Rama I Road and Ratchaprarop, formerly the World Trade Center. The shopping mall reopened in 2006 after a massive expansion and renovation. There is an Ice Skating Rink and a Multiplex cinema on the top floor. The mall also contains the large Isetan and Zen Department stores.

Gaysorn Plaza is on the corner of Phloen Chit Road and Ratchadamri Road, and positions itself as Bangkok's premier luxury shopping mall. This is where you can get your fill of Armani, Gucci and Tiffany. The top floors have a good selection of antiques and high quality Thai handicrafts.

The J.J shopping mall complex is located next to the weekend market in the heart of the Chatuchak district Bangkok. The whole area has become one vast building site and all shop zones are interlinked to ensure that customers take pleasure in shopping in every single shop.

The shopping mall is a 7 storey building comprising of 4 stories of shopping zones and 3 floors of parking, for more than 2,000 vehicles including open air parking for buses. J.J. Mall is fully equipped with elevators, escalators, and air conditioning for the whole area of over a 1,000 shops.

The mall is convenient and easy accessible by Buses and BTS Sky Train Chatuchak Station or MRT Subway Kamphaeng Phet station, near Mochit.

Tokyu Department store is at the top end of MBK. Good selection of designer cloths and items, including a great selection of utensils for Thai cooking, Japanese and Western food.

The Emporium (Phrom Phong BTS Station) is an upmarket department store, with good selections of everything designer, including watches, cosmetics and clothes. Numerous eating options too.

Playground. Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi 55) this cool black three level cube calls itself, the inspiration store and has artsy clothes, records, books, furniture, restaurants and Starbucks. Its about a 20 minute walk from Thong Lo BTS Sky Train Station.

Chinatown Bangkok is where you will find many bargains, be prepared to bargain for the best price. Shopping here can be fun and enjoyable as well as time consuming hot and tiring so like always in Thailand allow your self plenty of time.

There is also many superstores and saver centers throughtout Thailand, such as Big C, Tesco Lotus, Makro and Carrefour all having something different to offer, and worth a visit. Not forgetting Family Mart and the 7/11 convenience stores with a shop on almost every cover, open 24 hours are idea to keep you toped up with water.

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