BANGKOK
Pets
Possibly the most fun you’ll ever have win-
dow shopping will be petting puppies and
cuddling kittens in sections 13 and 15. Soi
9 of the former features several shops that
deal solely in clothing for pets. It’s also
worth noting that this section is infamous
for selling illegal wildlife, mainly rare and
protected species of reptiles and amphib-
ians, in addition to more exotic creatures
such as monkeys and what not. We discour-
age making any such purchases.Plants & Gardening
The interior perimeter of sections 2 to 4 fea-
ture a huge variety of potted plants, fl owers,
herbs, fruits, and the accessories needed to
maintain them. Many of these shops are also
open on weekday afternoons.Pak Khlong Market MARKET
(Flower Market; Map p 76 ; Th Chakkaphet & Th Atsa-
dang; h24hr; river ferry Tha Saphan Phut) Every
night this market near the Chao Phraya river
becomes the city’s largest depot for whole-
sale fl owers. Arrive as late as you’re willing to
stay up, and be sure to take a camera, as the
technicolour blur of roses, lotuses and dai-
sies on the move is a sight to behold. During
the day, Pak Khlong is a wholesale vegetable
market.Talat Rot Fai MARKET
(Map p 118 ; Th Kamphaeng Phet; h6pm-midnight
Sat & Sun; MRT Kamphaeng Phet) Set in a
sprawling abandoned rail yard, this market
is all about the retro, from antique enamel
platters to secondhand Vespas. With mobile
snack vendors, VW van-based bars and evena few land-bound pubs, it’s also much more
than just a shopping destination.Nonthaburi Market MARKET
(Map p 56 ; Tha Nam Non, Nonthaburi; h5am-8am;
river ferry Tha Nonthaburi) Located a short walk
from Nonthaburi Pier, the northernmost ex-
tent of the Chao Phraya Express boats, this is
one of the most expansive and atmospheric
produce markets in the area. Come early, as
most vendors are gone by 9am.Pratunam Market MARKET
(Map p 86 ; cnr Th Petchaburi & Th Ratchaprarop;
h10am-9pm; klorng taxi to Tha Pratunam) The
city’s biggest wholesale clothing market,
Pratunam is a tight warren of stalls trickling
deep into the block. In addition to cheap T-
shirts and jeans, luggage, bulk toiletries and
souvenirs are also available.Soi Lalai Sap STREET MARKET
(Map p 82 ; Soi 5/Lalai Sap, Th Silom; h8am-6pm;
BTS Chong Nonsi) The ‘money-melting’ street
has a number of vendors selling all sorts
of cheap clothing, watches and homewares
during the day. Regular perusers say that
imperfections from name-brand factories
often appear in the stacks.Sampeng Lane MARKET
(Map p 76 ; Soi Wanit 1/Sampeng Lane; river ferry
Tha Ratchawong) This wholesale market runs
roughly parallel to Th Yaowarat, bisecting
the two districts of Chinatown and Pha-
hurat. Pick up the narrow artery from Th
Ratchawong and follow it through its many
manifestations – from handbags, home-
wares, hair decorations, stickers, Japanese-
animation gear, plastic beeping key chains.THE WAR ON THE GEM SCAMWe’re begging you, if you aren’t a gem trader, then don’t buy unset stones in Thailand –
period. Countless tourists are sucked into the prolifi c and well-rehearsed gem scam in
which they are taken to a store by a helpful stranger and tricked into buying bulk gems
that can supposedly be resold in their home country for 100% profi t. The expert con
artists (part of a well-organised cartel) seem trustworthy and convince tourists that
they need a citizen of the country to circumvent tricky customs regulations. Guess what,
the gem world doesn’t work like that; and what most tourists end up with are worthless
pieces of glass. By the time you sort all this out, the store has closed, changed names
and the police can do little to help.
Want to know more or want to report a scam? Visit http://www.2bangkok.com and navigate
down to the ‘Gem Scam’ page for fi ve years’ worth of tracking the phenomenon, or go
to Thai Gems Scam Group (www.geocities.com/thaigemscamgroup) for photos of touts
who troll the temples for victims. The tourist police can also help to resolve some pur-
chase disputes, but don’t expect miracles.