Pattaya Shopping
Shopping in Pattaya Thailand - Online reservation for hotels and resorts in Pattaya beach.
As a leading tourist centre in the Eastern
Seaboard, Pattaya
is also occupied with department stores, shopping centres, street shops and
stalls specially concentrated on Pattaya 2 Road, Beach
Road and the area between Central and South Pattaya.
Whatever you are looking for -
such as gems, silk, garments, tailor-made suits, leather ware,
furniture, handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts, etc. - you can
easily find a wide selection of items within your reach.
There are several shopping malls in the centre of Pattaya,
and there are two super
centres which sell everything from instant noodles to TV sets. Beach Road
and south Pattaya areas have many shops selling clothing, jewellery,
leather goods, paintings, bronze ware and a variety of things.
South Pattaya is the major shopping
area for beachwear, souvenirs, films,
tapes, pharmaceuticals and liquor. The resort's major gems, jewellery, silk,
cotton and handicraft shops, tailors and boutiques are located in the
vicinity of, or adjacent to, major beachside hotels. Pattaya 2 Road is also a favourite haunt for shoppers, with several
handicraft and Thai silk shops.
Department stores and allied bazaars in Central Pattaya offer other shopping
experiences. There is an excellent market at Naklua, just north of Pattaya city
every Sunday.
On North Pattaya Road, A multi-million Baht shopping complex offers a
handicraft centre, bazaar and shopping arcade with small bars, nightclubs
and an outdoor seafood restaurant.
For those who looking for local products such as handicraft, basket ware,
dried seafood, may like to visit the following principal markets which are
popular among Thai tourists. They are located out of Pattaya city. Do not
afraid to bargain at these shops it is a part of fun-making.
Ang Sila
A fishing village about 5 kilometres away from Chonburi Province. Ang Sila was
formerly one of the oldest seaside resorts. The village is famous for its
cottage industry, producing stone mortars and animal sculptures, like
elephants, horses and tigers. Ang Sila also boasts a number of seafood
restaurants. On the beach, one can find villagers shelling fresh oysters. A
wide array of local handicraft are also available for sale to tourists.
Ang Sila is located in the same district as Bang Saen Beach
Nong Mon Market
Nong Mon Market is located in the same district as
Bang Saen Beach. This market is famous for Chonburi's local handicrafts and souvenirs
located 1
kilometer from the junction leading to Bang Saen. Among its well-known buys
are different types of dried seafood, Kao Lam or gluttonous rice baked in
bamboo, Hormok (spicy steamed fish cakes), Hoi-jor (deep fried shrimp cakes),
sweetened-banana and taro chips. sweetened-fruit preserves as well as Tattan
and Bamboo basket ware from Panatnikom, a district known for its unique and
intricate weaving techniques.
Basket ware Village
Situated at Moo 1-11, Tambon Railakthong but mostly a
Moo 10 in the vicinity
of Wat Kohkaew Klong Luang, about 4 kilometres distance from the district along the Panamnikom - Chacheongsao Road and continuing right for a distance of another
4 kilometres.
Bamboo is woven into such objects as ladies' handbags. baskets, betel nut
sets, etc. in various colors and designs. All of these can be purchased at
the stalls
situated behind the Municipal Daily Market (Talad Kao).
Thailand Shopping
VAT (Value Added Tax) Refund For Tourists
Thailand introduced their own version of VAT a few years ago. The rate has
been reduced in 1999 from 10% to the now ruling 7%.
Following point you need to keep in mind when applying for VAT refund
-You must be a non-Thai passport holder and not airline cabin-crew.
-You must not have been resident in Thailand for more than 180 days in the
current calendar year.
-You must be departing by air from an International Airport. Bangkok, Chiang
Mai, Phuket, or Hat Yai.
-The amount of purchases must be more than 5000 Baht.
-Goods must leave Thailand within 60 days of purchase.
-When you buy your goods, you must produce your passport and get the dealer
to complete form P.P.10.
-Your purchased goods must be in your hand baggage for inspection, along
with the store receipt and the P.P.10 form
-The purchased goods are absolutely prohibited to consume in Thailand." This
is an exact quotation, so don't expect to drink your bottle of Johnny Walker
Blue Label and get a VAT refund!
IMPORTANT Before you check-in at the airport, you must declare the goods along with the P.P.10 form, to Customs, the office is in Terminal 1 by the Thai Airways check in desks, (at the moment!). They will stamp the form, without the stamp, no refund!
From the official literature - "Jewelry, gold ornaments, glasses, watches and pens must be also be inspected by revenue officers to get a second validation in the departure lounge" In practice, this does not seem to happen, although it is best to be prepared.
The stamped P.P.10 form, the store receipt, and the goods must be taken to the VAT refund desk in Terminal 2, after passport control. They are fast and efficient, and quite friendly!
Refunds up to 10,000 Baht are in cash, over 10,000 Baht by way of a bank
draft. 100 Baht fee applies in both cases plus a charge for the bank draft.
If you used a credit or charge card, your refund is applied directly to your
account, but this can take up to 2 months to appear, depending on your
statement date.
It is not nearly as bad as it sounds, and even if you forget to have the
P.P.10 stamped in the departure hall, they now even let you go back through
immigration and have a second go at getting it right. This can take another
30 minutes or more though, as you have to get stamped back into Thailand,
and go back though immigration passport control a second time!
Any issues with your VAT Refund?
VAT Refund For Tourist Office
Revenue Department
Phaholyothin Road
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
TEL: 02-2729387 (Bangkok) Fax: 02-6173559
Source: Information by Tourism Authority of Thailand
