Malls, Superstores and Supermarkets
Malls and superstores have become a part of the Thailand shopping scene, making it possible for most foreigners to shop just like they do back home. Unfortunately, these mega-shopping centres make it even more difficult for small vendors to eek out a living.
Central Festival Centre.
A mall located on Second Road across from Soi 2, it has a Big C superstore, IT shops, and numerous other places to part with your money. There are cinemas on top, usually with movies in English.
Factory Outlet Mall
Located on Sukhumvit Road at Thepprasit Road in South Pattaya, this mall features brand name clothing at reduced prices. Although opened with a lot of fanfare, it hasn't done particularly well.
Mike Shopping Mall
A labyrinth on Beach Road between Sois 11 and 12, with entrances on both Beach Road and Second Road. Five floors of shops, open from 11:00-23:00. Smaller shops are found ground floor, a department store above, and an inexpensive food court on the 5th floor.
Royal Garden Plaza
Situated next to the Marriott Resort and Spa Pattaya on Beach Road between Soi Post Office (Soi 13/2) and Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3). A large upmarket mall with three floors loaded with boutique shops, chain stores, restaurants, cinemas and a food court.
Tuk.Com
A large mall on South Pattaya Road specializing in IT items, but there are also several places to buy clothing, software and CDs.. The prices for electronics gear are reportedly higher than those found in Bangkok.
Big C
Thailand's answer to foreign superstores has two outlets in Pattaya: one in Central Festival Centre and one on South Pattaya Road at Sukhumvit Road. Open from 09:00-24:00. The supermarket sections of Big C have excellent seafood.
Carrefour
A French owned superstore on Central Pattaya Road between Third Road and Sukhumvit Road. Similar in style and concept to Big C and Tesco Lotus, tt opens early and closes at midnight. The supermarket section has an excellent and reasonably priced bakery.
Tesco-Lotus
The UK's entrant in the superstore sweepstakes has two outlets in Pattaya, both are open from 09:00-23:00. One can be found on North Pattaya Road, just east of the Dolphin roundabout and the other out on Sukhumvit Road at Moo 12. The supermarket sections are large and loaded with excellent produce.
Foodland
The Pattaya branch of this popular Bangkok supermarket specializing in foreign items can be on Central Pattaya Road near the intersection with Sukhumvit Road. If you long for a food item from your homeland, regardless of where it is located, you are likely to find it here.
Friendship
A western-oriented supermarket also with a full range of Thai goods located on South Pattaya Road near its intersection with Third Road. Open from 07:00-02:00, it has good selections of meat, cheese, bread, and wine, but a limited range of produce.
Tops
The ubiquitous Thai supermarket has an outlet in P.S. Plaza at the Central Pattaya Road and Second Road intersection. Open 24 hour a day.
Art Galleries
Many local artists have original paintings to sell. In addition, they will often turn a precious photograph into a painting for you at a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere. The galleries tend to cluster together. Several can be found on Pattaya Second Road and on Pattaya Naklua Road. What they have to sell usually represents good value for money.
Bollini Gallery
215/6 Moo 10
Pattaya Second Road
0-3842-3754
C.W. Tavich
59/1-2 Moo 10
Phratamnak Road
Phratamnak Hill
0-3842-9418
Jaran Gallery
216/57 Moo 10
Pattaya Second Road
0-3842-7792
Royal Galleries
179/103 Moo 5
Pattaya Naklua Road
Naklua
0-3842-7328-9
Gems and Jewellery
Thailand is noted for its gems and hand-made jewellery. Care must be taken when shopping to avoid a scam. Never buy gems from someone on the street or allow a tout take you to a store offering 'bargains'. At best what you purchase will be over-priced; and in extreme cases, gems on offer will be fake. If you are shopping for expensive items, shop only at established and reputable shop, preferably those that are members of the 'Jewel Fest Club', an organization sponsored by the Tourist Authority of Thailand and the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association . In addition to gems, probably the best bargains to be found in Thailand are the costume jewellery items sold by vendors on the street. Earrings, in particular, represent good value for money.
H. Sengs International Gems
Pattaya Beach Road
South Pattaya
Tel. 0-3842-2430
Imperial Jewelry
325/1-3 Moo 10
Soi Pattayaland 2
Tel. 0-3842-1966
Tom's Gems
239/2 Moo 10
Pattaya Beach Road
Tel. 0-3842-2811
World Gems Collection
98 Moo 6
North Pattaya Road
Tel. 0-3841-2333
Handicrafts
Every visitor to Thailand wants to return home with some of the country's wonderful handicrafts. Baskets, jewellery, handbags, wall-hangings and more are sold on almost every street corner and virtually all malls, shopping centres and Thai markets. There are also numerous boutique shops in Pattaya that specialize in handicrafts and antiques.
Kalad
7 Moo 8
Intersection North Pattaya Road/Sukhumvit Road
North Pattaya
Tel. 0-3841-3551
Lukdod Shop
209/10 Moo 6
North Pattaya Road
North Pattaya
Tel. 0-3842-8357
Tailors
Pattaya, like every tourist centre, in Thailand is loaded with tailors. Most are capable of good, but not spectacular work. The result, however, is often slipshod because it is done so quickly. If you insist on at least two fittings and don't expect to get your clothing back in 24 hours you will get a better result. Also, it is best to avoid tailors who offer incredibly cheap deals. It can't be done without cutting corners. Here are some tailors that have been recommended by Pattaya residents.
Classic Tailor
215/25-26, Moo 10
In front of Royal Garden Plaza
Pattaya South Road
Tel. 0-3842-6840
Giovani Collection
215/15
Pattaya South Road
Tel. 0-3841-3404
Jim's International
216/48
Central Shopping Arcade
Pattaya 2nd Road
Tel. 0-3872-0761
Lord's Tailors
131/2 Moo 10
Walking Street (Beach Road)
South Pattaya
Tel. 0-3842-9640
Thai Fabrics
Hand woven silk is one of Thailand's great bargains. If you are interested in buying silk to take home, it is best to do a little research before making the plunge. Although Pattaya is not the best place in the Kingdom to purchase silk, there are several shops with a wide selection at reasonable prices. Also don't forget Thailand's hand woven cotton: unique and colourful, it adds class to any garment.
Baan Chiang Thai Silk
78/54 Moo 9
Big C
Pattaya Second Road
Tel. 0-1827-3297
Pamai Shop
215/33-34 Moo 10
Pattaya Second Road
Tel. 0-3842-6261
Porn U-Mai Thai Silk
218 Moo 10
Royal Garden Plaza B30, Second floor
Pattaya Beach Road
South Pattaya
Tel. 0-3871-0603 |
