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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!
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