This way to shopping paradise, Thailand

One of the best ideas you could have this year is to indulge in some retail therapy in Thailand. Why Thailand? Because it features the most diverse shopping experiences this side of Asia, and it makes every shopping expedition an affair to remember. So go ahead, get your flight tickets and Thailand visa and head to the best shopping delights at

Bangkok.

From swanky malls to floating markets, and from night markets to outlet shops, Bangkok has all of these and more. You can go quite crazy trying to decide what to pick and what to leave – so you might just end up buying everything in sight! When in Bangkok, also check out the famous vintage shops that sell stuff made from old valuable items, or rummage through the sheer variety of clothes at Pratunam Market.

Handicrafts at Chiang Mai.

You will love the sheer variety of handicrafts on sale – prices vary as per item and location – at Chiang Mai, where factories and workshops frame the city centre. You can also head down to these factories to watch artisans at work, apart from picking up several pieces here at excellent prices. There are also good shopping malls here, apart from street markets and boutique stores that sell antiques and handicrafts.

Food items at Phuket.

For the freshest and tastiest produce, head straight to the food markets at Phuket. The island exudes a great vibe that invites shopaholics to spend all day strolling its food and cloth markets. You can also walk into large department stores (the prices here are higher) and boutique shops. Check out cheap clothing options, jewellery, arts and crafts and of course, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Hip shopping at Phi Phi Islands.

Earlier known as a wanderer’s paradise, Phi Phi Island has now emerged as a hippie shopping destination featuring a mishmash of shopping experiences. Almost every shop here doubles up as something else (cafes sell clothes, book stores stock beer, you get the drift…) so it might take a while to shake off your disorientation. But the prices here are quite reasonable, the wares on sale are of a good quality and you must especially check out shops selling blown glass items. Plus, you can get a new tattoo at the island’s famed tattoo parlours.

Affordable shopping at Koh Phangan.

Head straight to Koh Phangan if you want budget shopping in Thailand. You will find a variety of wares at this beach town, from jewellery to shoes and from lingerie to skin care creams. However, this is not a typical shopping destination but more of a market evolved for everyday needs at the beach.