Bangkok Travel Forum

We are going to Bangkok soon and I would like to know if things like cosmetics and maybe electronic goods are cheaper duty free london/bahrain/bangkok or in bangkok itself? also, what about CDs and DVDs in the markets, will they work when we get them home?

thanks

It is not easy to give a precise answer on this as comparing like with like can be tricky. In my experience Thailand either in duty free or high street is not a great place for bargains on electronic goods plus you can have problems with warranties. I do not buy cosmetics that often that I need to worry with them. As regard to CDs and DVDs the quality of the copies is getting better and some places will let you have a quick glimpse of the actual DVD you're buying so you can see if it is a good copy or filmed by somebody with a handheld camera in a cinema. Music CDs are pretty reliable.

Regards

John

Duty free is run by the King Group in Bangkok. Their prices are unbelievably high! They own nearly all of the stands at the airport, probably some government sweetheart deal. Avoid them at all costs.

The place for DVDs, software, MP3s and electronics is Pantip Plaza in Bangkok. Just hop in a taxi and say Pantip!

John and Gaolei are correct. Duty free shops tend to be expensive. Costmetics adn electronics are mostly imported to Thailand so they will be expensive. Even in Japan electronics are more expensive than in the US or Europe. Also you may want to remember that should you buy most electronics in a duty free or in Asia they will be geared for 220 vs 110 voltage. Don't know where you are from, and maybe not an issue but keep that in mind, a converter usualy works but...
My advice is shop where you are at and when you get to a duty free or to Asia compare prices. If it's cheaper buy, if not, well, you'll eventually end up back home, right?
Good luck

PS: Gaolei, nice "paddlefish"??

thanks to all of you for your replies, they are very helpful. Can't wait for our holiday!

PLACES LIKE "MBK" SHOPPING MALL IN BANGKOK AND CIRCLE C ANOTHER DEPARTMENT TYPE STORE OFTEN HAVE COSMETICS THERE AND THEY ARE REAONABLY CHEAPER. MOST PLACES THAT SELL DVD AND CD LET YOU TRY THERE ON THE SPOT SO YOU CAN SEE IF THEY WORK OR NOT. BUT FORWARD THROUGH AT DIFFERENT POINTS TO MAKE SURE ALL THE MOVIE IS ON THE DVD. I WILL BE THERE IN SEPTEMBER. WILL BE MY 6TH TRIP THERE. GOOD SHOPPING!

I have boought DVDs at Pantip Plaza and have found the quality to be terrible. Plus they refuse to accept returns. I buy my DVDs at MBK and they are reliable, good quality and cheap.