Shopping Etiquette and Tips

Shopping in Thailand happens in two different worlds. In air-conditioned malls, prices are fixed and tourists can use tourist cards and claim back VAT. In markets and at street stalls, you usually pay cash and agree the price with the seller. Knowing which rules apply where saves you money and trouble.

Thai Shopping Culture in Brief

Stay Calm and Friendly

Thai sellers respond best to a relaxed, polite customer. Smile, take your time and keep your voice low, even when a price seems high. Showing anger or embarrassing a seller in front of others makes the seller "lose face" (feel publicly embarrassed), and the conversation usually ends there. If the answer is no, accept it politely and move on.

Respect Buddha Images and Temples

Buddha images are sacred in Thailand. Handle them with respect, and do not buy Buddha heads as decoration. If your shopping day includes a temple, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, or carry a light scarf or sarong.

Where to Bargain and Where Not To

How to Bargain Politely

1. Look around first. Compare similar items at several stalls before you ask a price.
2. Ask the price with a smile. Stay friendly, even if the first price is high.
3. Make a fair counter-offer. A very low offer can offend the seller.
4. Raise your offer a little at a time. Buying several items at the same stall can make it easier to agree.
5. Walk on politely if you cannot agree. Thank the seller and leave calmly.
6. Keep your word. Once you and the seller agree a price, buy the item. Bargaining and then walking away after agreeing is rude.

Useful Thai Phrases

To sound polite, men add "khrap" and women add "kha" at the end of a sentence.

Paying: Cash, Small Notes and QR

Markets are mostly cash. Some modern stalls accept QR payment, but do not rely on it. Carry small notes (20, 50 and 100 THB): small stalls often cannot change a large note.

Count your change before you leave, and ask for a receipt for anything valuable. If you plan a large VAT refund, bring a credit card to the airport.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: Timing and Tips

Chatuchak has more than 15,000 stalls in 27 numbered sections and about 200,000 visitors each weekend. It is a good place to practise bargaining.

• Opening times: the whole market opens Saturday and Sunday, 09:00–18:00. A smaller, wholesale-focused night session runs on Friday, 18:00–24:00. On Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section opens. See the Chatuchak Market opening times.
• When to go: arrive soon after 09:00 on Saturday or Sunday, before the heat and the crowds.
• Finding your way: pick up a map at the market and write down the section number of any stall you want to find again.
• Getting there: MRT Kamphaeng Phet (west end, by the plant sections), MRT Chatuchak Park (east end) or BTS Mo Chit.

Opening hours, card offers and refund rules in this article were checked in September 2026. Confirm them with the market, mall or Revenue Department before you go.

Mall Shopping: Tourist Cards and Opening Hours

Siam Paragon, Central Embassy, ICONSIAM, MBK Center and Terminal 21 open daily 10:00–22:00; Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam opens 09:00–20:00. Prices are fixed. Register a tourist card before you shop and bring your passport:

• ONESIAM Global Visitor Card: free, applied for online or in the ONESIAM app. It offers "up to 5%" at department stores, "up to 6% VAT refund" and privileges from more than 200 partners. It is valid at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok and ICS. At Siam Paragon, the Tourist Information Counter is on the G floor, and you need a foreign passport for the tourist offers.
• Central's The 1 Tourist Card: for Central department stores and CentralWorld, with a 5% discount plus a VAT refund of "up to 6%". The minimum spend and other terms change during the year, so ask at customer service in the store.
• MBK Center: show your passport at the Information counter (G floor, Zone A, 10:00–20:00) for a free welcome gift.

VAT Refund for Tourists, Step by Step

Thailand charges 7% VAT, and visitors can claim it back on goods they take home. Thai nationals, residents of Thailand and anyone staying longer than 180 days cannot claim.

1. Shop where the sign is. Only shops showing the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign take part.
2. Spend at least 2,000 THB, including VAT, in one shop on one day. Each P.P.10 form must show at least 2,000 THB.
3. Ask for the P.P.10 form at the till. Show your original passport when you pay. The shop gives you the P.P.10 form (or e-P.P.10) with the original tax invoice. Keep both: you cannot get the form later.
4. Leave within 60 days. The goods must leave Thailand with you within 60 days of the purchase date. You claim on your departure day.
5. Customs inspection only from 20,000 THB. If your refund goods total 20,000 THB or more, show them to customs before check-in. At Suvarnabhumi, the airport lists the VAT refund office at Entrance 10, Main Terminal, Floor 4, in the public area before check-in.
6. Carry expensive items by hand. Jewellery, gold, watches, glasses, pens, phones, laptops, tablets, handbags, wallets and belts worth 40,000 THB or more per item go in your hand luggage. You show them again at the VAT refund office after passport control.
7. Choose how to be paid. A refund of up to 30,000 THB can be paid in Thai baht cash, or to Alipay or WeChat Pay. A refund above 30,000 THB goes to a credit card only.

A processing fee is deducted, so you receive less than the full 7%; malls advertise "up to 6%". Refund offices are at ten international airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, U-Tapao, Krabi, Samui, Surat Thani and Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai. The Revenue Department explains the rules on its VAT refund conditions page.

Avoiding Scams and Problem Purchases

• Unsolicited shop tips: if a stranger or a driver suggests a "special" gem shop or tailor, say no and buy from shops you chose yourself.
• Gold: Thai gold is sold by baht weight; one baht of 96.5% gold bullion weighs 15.16 g. Check the day's price from the Gold Traders Association before you buy, and keep the receipt.
• Antiques and Buddha images: works of art and antiques need an export licence from the Fine Arts Department, and Buddha images (except medallions and small statues) may not leave Thailand without permission. Ask the shop before you buy, and check with the Thai Customs Care Center (1164).
• Problems with a shop: call the Tourist Police on 1155.

Getting Your Shopping to the Airport

Choose the car by the amount of luggage: a sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, and a van up to 7 and 5. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included.

Book a sedan from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi, an SUV from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi or a van from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi. For Don Mueang, book a sedan from Bangkok to Don Mueang, an SUV from Bangkok to Don Mueang or a van from Bangkok to Don Mueang. Pickups on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya add 100–200 THB. Allow extra time at the airport for the VAT refund office.

For a whole day of shopping, the full-day Bangkok Tour (see tours and day trips) gives you a car and driver for up to 10 hours: 2,700 THB (sedan), 3,000 THB (SUV), 3,700 THB (van) or 4,000 THB (VIP van).

You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. All routes are on the fare list.

FAQ

Do I need a customs stamp for every VAT refund?

No. Customs inspection is needed only when your refund goods total 20,000 THB or more. Luxury items worth 40,000 THB or more each are also checked after passport control.

Is there a tourist card at Siam Paragon?

Yes. The ONESIAM Global Visitor Card works there. The Tourist Information Counter is on the G floor, and the tourist offers need a foreign passport.

Which airports give VAT refunds?

Ten international airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, U-Tapao, Phuket and Chiang Mai. The full list is in the VAT refund section.

Who do I call about a shopping scam?

The Tourist Police, on 1155.

To book your ride to the airport, message us on WhatsApp or LINE.

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