Think shopping think Thai Silk

While visiting Pattaya you should not forget about Thai silk. Thai Silk is very famous and looks very gorgeous. There are different grades such as lightweight, heavyweight and medium weight. The weight of the silk depends upon the number of thread used in it. Generally single thread of silk is used in woven lightweight silks. These lightweight silk is used in making men’s shirts, ladies blouses and also summer clothes. Be careful while buying these clothes as you have to know proper measurement. Generally blouse and shirt combinations use 5.5 yards silk whereas shirt use only 2.5 yards.

Mudmee is a variety of hand woven Thai Silk. This is a special one. The rural women make this with intense finesse. This is an elegant piece of work that receives accolades from across the world. Women from Northeast Thailand have excelled in this work using the traditional method with old looms. Every piece of cloth is a unique creation depicting the stories of the weaver’s own emotion, thoughts and feelings. If you have some extra money to shop don’t forget to pick one.

Different properties of Thai Silk demand to name it as a luxury fiber. The silk has a usual luster. This is as strong as cotton but of course more elastic than linen and cotton. Thai silk absorb up to 1/3 of its weight when soaked in water. But the silk is not al all wet to touch. Some silks are woven along with polyester. A burn test will clear your doubt. After burning if the ash of the silk is powdery and meat smelling, it is pure silk but in case the ash is hard, the presence of polyester is evident.

Thai silks are present in different places in Pattaya. Pure silks are somewhat 300 Baht per yard. Pure silks are also perfect for making pillow covers, napkins, handkerchiefs, etc. if you are buying one maintain it properly. The silk should be washed with light detergent. The cloth should be slightly dried and then ironed. Ironing makes the piece wrinkle free. While in Pattaya go to a bigger silk shop to get numerous variety in design and shades.

Departmental stores in Pattaya

Galore of departmental stores and shopping malls are present in Pattaya. You may get less choice of brands. Almost all the departmental stores have supermarket section. Stores are open till 11 pm at night. Some years back all the major supermarket chains moved to Pattaya. Many of Bangkok’s departmental stores opened branches in Pattaya. The tourists often escape midday sun and roam in a shopping mall. A cool ice crème or a lunch in international food chain can make the afternoon enjoyable. In most of the shopping malls the top floor is for cinema viewing. You can enjoy movies in a cozy corner with your partner. Some of the big stores are:

• Big C and Central Festival Pattaya: Big shopping mall is located on Pattaya 2nd road. The mall is filled with smaller boutiques and shops, on the ground floor there are local restaurants as well as KFC, Mister Donut, etc. a four-screen cinema is situated on the 2nd floor. There is a huge parking area as well.
• Laem Thong I department store: This is placed on Sukhumvit road. Mall boutiques are spread all over the two floors.
• Mike department store: It is located in downtown South Pattaya. It is located at the same distance from Pattaya Beach Road to Pattaya second road. Soft goods are found in this small. Anything connected to home decoration brands, shoes and other things are of reasonable price.
• Mike Shopping centre: Mike shopping centre is situated on Park Beach road. The shops are mostly owned by the centre. There you will get stationary item, computer hardware, beds, soft goods, bedding, electronic equipment, shoes and much more.
• Pacific Park shopping Mall: This is a big shopping mall on Sukhumvit Road. On the top floor few style shops are located.
• Royal Garden plaza: This has many boutique stores, music and video stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, handicraft shops, restaurants, magazine shop, a cinema hall, etc. Underground parking is available to avoid traffic jam.

There is a huge food court present in the third floor. The entertainment section includes two cinemas showing recent pictures. Many food franchises are available and the list includes McDonalds, KFC, Dairy queen, Pizza Hut, Sizzler, etc.

Downtown Shopping

Shopping is a favourite pastime in Thailand. The tourists take great pleasure while roaming in the shopping grounds. Pattaya has many other attractions like water sports, golf, horse riding, etc. and that is why shopping take less prominence here. Though you will not get much variety in Pattaya still shopping malls will help you to get everything under one roof. Shopping in Pattaya is different experience altogether. Large shopping malls, departmental stores, supermarkets, are scattered all over the city. There are some shop houses where shop and home of the owner stands together. Shop is usually on street level and the owner lives at the back of the shop and also above the shop. At the closing they close down the shutter and cover the front part of the shop.

Bargaining is an important thing is Pattaya. If you are shopping on roadside the trick is going to help you a lot. Except the supermarkets the prices are inflated to twice the real price. Hat allows customers enough room for bargaining. It is advisable to start from the half price. Unlike this in all the supermarkets there is fixed price so no question of bargaining arises there. If you have a smiling face you win the half battle. Most of the Thais work for day long so a good smile and humor relieves them and helps in great bargaining.

You should carry enough cash. Credit card can be used but there are limitations in some shops. Don’t allow anyone to take your credit card away from you because credit card fraud is going at a high rate. Some of the stores also charge 3% extra on credit card use.

Do not take help from taxi drivers while shopping. They often take you to the shops from where they get commission. So this way you may not enjoy the shopping end up in wastage of time.
In Thailand it is prohibited to take any Buddha statue, deities and antique artifacts from the country without taking prior permission of Fine Arts Department. Be careful of all these points and just go happy shopping.

Shopping in the city of Pattaya

Shopping is one of the most exciting activities in all the South-East Asian countries. Pattaya is not an exception. There is a wide range of shops and market places studded in the city. The malls and superstores enable you to choose something for your loved ones. South of Central Pattaya Road offers some beach shopping. You can grab some football shirt, bikinis, swim suits, ethnic crafts, Buddha statues, flick-knives, stun guns, and also samurai swords from these shops. The price range starts from very cheap to very expensive. The qualities of the products vary in different shops. The shopaholics will find the place very interesting as there is a huge possibility to bargain.

Please don’t buy any cheapest model as there is no money back guarantee. If you take the goods with you it’s yours. Pattaya gives excellent opportunity for the visitors as there are loads of sea-side shops. Mainly Beach Road and Second Road has many of it. In south and central part of Pattaya you can have a glimpse of handicrafts, carving, ceramics, Buddhist art, and also clothing of different styles. Real antiques are available in Pattaya, but you should really know how to bargain.

Thailand is generally cheap in clothes, household items and electronic goods. Opposite to Soi 3 there is a huge mall named Big C. Multiscreen cinema facility is available in this four storied fully air conditioned building. The stalls are mainly of mobile phones, clothes, handicrafts, cameras, etc. The malls are colourful and very gorgeous that attracts the visitors a lot. Walking Street of Pattaya is very popular for its extensive shopping options.

Style and fashion matter a lot In Pattaya. People like colourful dresses, girls look comfortable in tight clothes. If you enter in the original Thai community, you will feel a difference. Here gold stores get the prominence than gift shops. Watch shops are replaced by skin surgery clinics and KFC with noodle stalls as well. Go-go bars are seen to be replaced by other eateries.

Don’t forget to pick a hand woven silk while visiting Pattaya.