A Tale of Two Markets
From the time we left Washington, DC last July until the day we landed in Bangkok, I kept telling Caroline and Conor, “Save your money for Asia – everything will be a lot cheaper there.”
Of course I had no actual proof of this. I’d been in the region only once before, on business, and with a minder to ferry me from place to place.
Now, based on experience, I can tell you this: The rumors you may have heard are true. Everything is cheaper in Thailand. I may not be at the headwaters of the global supply chain, but I know I’m close.
On our last full day in Bangkok we visited two very different markets that had one thing in common: Prices that made you do double-takes.
Our first stop was the Chatuchak Weekend Market. There was a buzz of excitement all around as stepped off the Skytrain. From the elevated platform we could see what looked like a tenement village of vendor stalls.
We found an opening and dove in.
As we walked through the crooked makeshift lanes we quickly realized this market had everything from hand made silks to fighting cocks, from elegant Asian furniture to three-week-old puppies. And it was all priced like a 75% off sale at WalMart. Before any bargaining.
After a few hours the heat was getting to us and we decided to take our shopping indoors to Bangkok’s best-known mall, Mahboonkrong, better known as MBK.
MBK takes the weekend market concept a bit upscale and into air-conditioned comfort. It is known as the best place to buy things like contact lenses, cell phones, brand name knock-offs and the latest music and DVDs at a fraction of their “normal” retail price.
I’m not saying that we did, but let’s just say I’ve heard that someone can buy 20 Nintendo DS games for the equivalent of $30US. And I’d be shocked to learn if there’s any piracy involved.
In truth, we didn’t buy much at either market. But what an amazing experience – and quite a lesson in global economics.
I know I’ll never be able to pay full price for the latest electronics or fashions ever again.
3 comments
You are going to all of our favorite places in Bangkok to bum around. Hope you tried the fresh mango juice on the street, and soup cart #4 is sooo good! Keep enjoying!!
Just like Dawn’s comment … you’ve just gone to our favourite places in Bangkok. … now when you were outside MBK by the Skytrain station did you see our children’s favourite stray dog named “MBK Dog”? He was the fat lazy one sitting waiting for people to toss him a treat. Ha.
Glad you’ve enjoyed the wonders of shopping in Bangkok.
Where to next ? ? ?
Warren
The thing about bargaining is we never know whether we have paid a good price or how much lower they would have gone. It is an art I could never pick up and I console myself with that excuse and just go to the fixed price stores …