Shopping in Thailand

Doing the TESOL course can be the best possible excuse for the ardent shoppers to be in Thailand which is a shoppers' paradise with a tremendous variety of goods on offer that delight the most discerning of the shoppers with its share of thrill and excitement.

All you TEFL trainees can shop for designer goods in the Malls or browse for handicrafts and knick-knacks in the many markets. There is something for everyone, no matter how deep or shallow your pocket may be. But whatever you buy and from where you buy it is important that you apply your cleverest bargaining tools to get he best price. Shopping in Bangkok is a major attraction for enrolling for the TESOL Course here. Make sure that in your spare time from the TESOL classes you purchase Thai silk and cottons, modern and traditional jewellery featuring precious gemstones, semi-precious gemstones, silverware, nielloware, pewterware, ceramics, celadon, woodcarvings, paintings, and clothing. Bangkok is one of the most competitively priced cities in Asia. Friendly bargaining in most stores and markets ensure favorable prices and service.

Below are given a brief shopping guide: 

1) Markets – to get the real Thai experience the TESOL candidates must visit the Bangkok markets. You can rummage through the second hand goods at Chatuchak Weekend Market; counterfeit DVDs' at Patpong or you can even visit the local market where you can get everything including a pet python!

2) Shopping Malls – Siam Paragon and MBK are the better options when it comes to shopping at Malls. You get everything here and the food at the food courts is simply awesome. Sukhumvit Road Area is a must visit place for the TESOL trainees and here you would come across several shops, shopping centers and department stores which offer a broad range of Thai and imported items. The luxurious Emporium Shopping Center is a famous for attracting tourists from all over the world. Pratunam/Phetchaburi Road Area should be visited by the TEFL trainees as it is best known for its inexpensive readymade clothing, which is sold partly in a street market, where determined bargaining is required for best prices. Bangkok's China Town is an old business centre where the TESOL enrollees would find many small streets and alleys full of shops selling all types of goods. The area is always lively and market stalls abound.

3) Shopping Promotions – A great reason to be in Bangkok for the TESOL course is that it does not tire of discounts, annual sales, must have membership cards and VAT refunds. So you should utilize these opportunities to get the best bargain for your baht.

4) Mobile Phones – In case the TESOL candidates are looking for electronic items and mobile phones head for the Prantip Plaza which is haven for shoppers who are inclined towards gadgets. 

5) Thai Crafts – The purpose of being in Thailand beside taking the TEFL course, will be unsuccessful if the TESOL trainees leave Thailand without an article of Thai craft. Thai crafts are celebrated world over. You can get Thai crafts in local markets and the celebrated night bazaars.