As a local Thai citizen I know that most prices quoted by vendors, tuk tuk drivers, or friendly Thai citizens on the street are higher than an item’s real value. It’s not that these people are trying to cheat you, it’s just the way things go around here. Still, there are ways to avoid paying too much for the things you want in Bangkok.
One thing you are likely to notice here is the fact that many items are more expensive for tourists than for Thai citizens. While this may seem unfair, it is important to understand why this is the case. As Thais see it tourists tend to have more disposable income than the average Thai citizen and they don’t pay taxes to the Thai government. Many tourists are upset by having to pay “farang” prices, but if you shop smart you can still find most items at prices much lower than in Europe and the USA.
In some cases an item might be priced a lot higher than its actual value. To avoid spending too much money unnecessarily you must plan your trip accordingly. Look for information about the prices of things that you plan to do or see before booking so you can compare prices. It is worth checking a company’s website, if they have one, as they may have special offers only available online. By doing your research you will have better judgment when buying. If the seller offers you a price that is too high you can often bargain, or just say “Thank you” and walk away.
Bargaining is a must do when purchasing most things in Thailand, especially if you are a tourist. You can save a lot of money if you know how to do it. It is important to consider how much you can bargain while still being polite. As mentioned above Thai vendors often set high prices for farang. From my research, if you bargain for a 30% discount at first, the vendor’s will usually still be interested but surely they will make a counter offer. If they are not negotiable, or they are unwilling to meet a price you think is fair, try looking at other stores or stalls. Before you walk away there is a good chance that the vendor will give a “final call”. If you are still not satisfied you can say no thanks, “Mai Krahp”, if you are male, or “Mai Kah”, if you are female, and walk away. Always remember to bargain with a smile and respect the vendor, even if you think you are getting ripped off, there are many factors that you may not be aware of. And in the end, it just isn’t worth getting upset over.
You can get good deals bargaining, just don’t hope that it will happen every time. Additionally, when bargaining don’t ask for a price so low that it seems impolite. Shop vendors or dealers have to make a living too.
Another way to get your money’s worth when making purchases is to buy multiple items. It is possible that you can get a cheaper price on several items than when purchasing a single item. For example a cigarette lighter may be priced at 80 Baht, but if you buy 3 you may be able to negotiate the price to 200 Baht.
Even though bargaining is a “must do” when purchasing products in Bangkok, some things are considered impolite to bargain for. Things such as food from a restaurant, products that have a fixed price like in the grocery store, or stores in the mall, and metered taxi’s. Places like these will have signs advertising promotions if and when they are offered. Items and services that are negotiable include products and food in street markets, tuk tuk rides, red trucks (song taews) and some tours. It is not that hard to determine what can be bargained for and what cannot. You just need a respectful attitude and to use your common sense.
The advantage of having information about where you’re going and what you want to do can save you time and money. Check the location and visiting hours of the places you are planning to go. You don’t always have to take a tuk tuk, as they can be very expensive. Study the route and check if it is reachable by BTS (the Sky Train) or MRT (subway), which tends to be a lot cheaper. The BTS and MRT routes travel to many of the main parts of Bangkok. If you go via tuk tuk, they might give you a “scenic tour,” which can be a waste of time and money. Some tuk tuk or taxi drivers might say that the site you want to visit is closed when it is actually open. They get commissions for bringing tourists to certain businesses, so research the days of the week your preferred sites are open plus the operating hours before you head out to catch a ride.
Items at tourist areas are often more expensive than other places. I advise that if you want to buy something the first place you should look is Chatuchuk Market, a.k.a. J.J.’s Market. It is a very big market that is only open Saturday & Sunday. Most locals come here to go shopping. The market has everything from jeans and t-shirts to antiques and baby monkeys (not a recommended purchase). But don’t expect that if you come here all the vendors will give you a Thai price. Learn about want you want to buy first, then try finding it at JJ’s Market. Thing’s will be cheaper here than Khao Shan road and you will be able to see a marketplace that is much more “Thai” in goods and culture. Â I advise that if you know what you want to buy you shouldn’t go too late in the day. The market is very big and it can take the better part of a day just to explore the bustling avenues and alleyways.
When you want to book a tour it is also very important to do your research and to shop around. Prices vary from company to company and I highly recommend looking for promotions on a tour’s website, as well as at booking agents found throughout the city. You never know where you will find the best promotion, but it’s well worth investigating all of the possibilities.
Be extra wary at places like nightclubs. The drinks tend to be very expensive (comparable to Western prices, in fact) and it’s easy to let the Baht float away when you’ve had a few drinks. The best course of action is to budget a night out ahead of time and only bring the cash you are willing to spend. Just don’t forget to set aside enough for the taxi or tuk tuk ride home.
So now you have all of my suggestions for getting your money’s worth in the Venice of the East. Bangkok is a very beautiful city. I hope you will enjoy travels in Bangkok, cheaply!