BANGKOK
BANGKOKSHOPPINGBANGKOKSHOPPINGA bi-monthly Thai Craft Fair (Map p 92 ;
http://www.thaicraft.org; 3rd fl , Jasmine City Building,
Soi 23, Th Sukhumvit; h9am-6pm; BTS Asok, MRT
Sukhumvit) is held in Bangkok, featuring the
wares of more than 60 Thai artisans.
Thai Home Industries HANDICRAFTS
(Map p 80 ; 35 Soi 40/Oriental, Th Charoen Krung;
h9am-6.30pm Mon-Sat; river ferry Tha Oriental)
A visit to this temple-like building, a former
monks’ quarters, is like discovering an aban-
doned attic of Asian booty. Despite the odd
assortment of items (our last visit revealed
items ranging from elegant handmade fl at-
ware to wooden model ships) and lack of
order, it’s heaps more fun than the typically
faceless Bangkok handicraft shop.
Nandakwang HANDICRAFTS
(Map p 92 ; 108/2-3 Soi 23, Th Sukhumvit; h9am-
5pm Mon-Sat & 10am-5pm Sun; BTS Asok, MRT
Sukhumvit) A Bangkok satellite of a Chiang
Mai–based store, Nandakwang sells a fun
and handsome mix of cloth, wood and glass
products. The cheery hand-embroidered
pillows and bags are particularly attractive.
There is also a branch on the 4th fl oor of
Siam Discovery Center.
Sop Moei Arts HANDICRAFTS
(Map p 92 ; http://www.sopmoeiarts.com; Soi 49/9, Th Su-
khumvit; h9.30am-5pm Sun-Fri; BTS Phrom Phong
& access by taxi) The Bangkok showroom of
this nonprofi t organisation features the vi-
brant cloth creations of Karen weavers in
Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand. It’s lo-
cated near the end of Soi 49/9, in the large
Racquet Club complex.Taekee Taekon HANDICRAFTS
(Map p 60 ; 118 Th Phra Athit; h9am-6pm Mon-Sat;
bus 32, 33, 64, 82, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) Rep-
resenting Thailand’s main silk-producing
regions, this charming store has a beautiful
selection of table runners and wall hang-
ings. Alongside silk products, you will also
fi nd small examples of celadon pottery and
a terrifi c selection of postcards.Narai Phand HANDICRAFTS
(Map p 86 ; http://www.naraiphand.com; ground fl , Presi-
dent Tower, 973 Th Ploenchit; h10am-8pm; BTS
Phloen Chit) Souvenir-quality handicrafts are
given fi xed prices and comfortable air-con
at this government-run facility. You won’t
fi nd anything here that you haven’t already
seen at all of the tourist street markets, but
it is a good stop if you’re pressed for time or
spooked by haggling. Markets
Although air-conditioned malls have better
PR departments, open-air markets are the
true face of commercial Bangkok, and are
where you’ll fi nd the best bargains.7-ELEVEN FOREVERBe extremely wary of any appointment that involves the words ‘meet me at 7-Eleven’. Ac-
cording to the company’s website there are 3912 branches of 7-Eleven in Thailand alone
(there will inevitably be several more by the time this book has gone to print) – more
than half the number found in the entire USA. In Bangkok, 7-Elevens are so ubiquitous
that it’s not uncommon to see two branches staring at each other from across the street.
The fi rst sewên (as it’s known in Thai) in Thailand was installed in Patpong in 1991. The
brand caught on almost immediately and today Thailand ranks behind only Japan and
Taiwan in the total number of branches in Asia. The stores are either owned directly by
the company or are franchises, owned and managed by private individuals.
Although the company claims that its stores carry more than 2000 items, the fresh
fl avours of Thai cuisine are not refl ected in the wares of a typical Bangkok 7-Eleven,
whose food selections are even junkier than those of its counterparts in the West. Like
all shops in Thailand, alcohol is only available from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 11pm, and
branches of 7-Eleven located near hospitals, temples and schools do not sell alcohol or
cigarettes at all (but do continue to sell unhealthy snack food).
We love 7-Eleven for the wide selection of drinks, a godsend in sweltering Bangkok. You
can conveniently pay most of your bills at the Service Counter, and all manner of phone
cards, prophylactics and ‘literature’ (although, oddly, not most newspapers) are also
available. And sometimes the blast of air-conditioning alone is enough reason to stop by.
But our single favourite 7-Eleven item must be the dirt-cheap chilled scented towels for
wiping away the accumulated grime and sweat before your next appointment.