SAMUI ISLAND GUIDE

Bargaining is a part of market life for most Thais, so, before you stock up on all those souvenirs and handicraft goodies, you need a little practice. Consider this conversation…

You: “Sawadee krap/ka, nee tao rai na krap/ka?” (Hello, how much is this?). Your opening gambit should always be in Thai, this way they take you for a local ex-pat and assume you are less gullible; their opening gambit will almost certainly be more realistic. So, learn this phrase by heart (remember guys say ‘krap’ and girls say ‘ka’).

Them: Two hundred baht.

You: Two hundred baht, you’re kidding, is this one from Bangkok? In Bangkok, I pay two hundred baht for much better quality. Maybe you drive all way to Bangkok buy this one, you get bad price, yes? (Thais love a bit of humour).

Them: (laughing) This one good quality sure, I buy from factory one hundred and fifty baht. Not buy Bangkok, Bangkok more expensive, maybe three hundred baht.

You: Three hundred baht? Where? Maybe you buy three hundred in Phuket, tourist in Phuket have too much money, Chiang Mai very cheap, I ask lady over there how much, she say one hundred baht. Maybe this one made with gold for two hundred baht sure!

Them: (laughing) Yes made gold sure, two hundred good price sure. You want? How many you buy, can make good price for you.

You: I buy already in Bangkok, I get good price, only fifty baht sure!

Them: (laughing in disbelief) Ah, cannot, fifty baht not enough, buy from factory more than one hundred baht.

You: Okay, I go factory tomorrow. Less than one hundred baht for sure. Here velly expensive. I like to buy from you, you very beautiful/handsome/friendly/whatever (Thais love flattery).

Them: Okay, one hundred fifty baht, special for you. You take five I give for six hundred baht all.

You: How about twenty, what price, nine hundred baht?

Them: (laughing) Aaeeeii, no can do. Five, six hundred baht. Buy for wife, children, all. You have wife/husband? (You get this question often).

You: Have wife many, too many, give headache, must buy for all but not enough money (Again, Thais love humour, it softens them up.)

Them: (laughing) Many wife! You butterfly. Okay, I give you five hundred baht, five, special price for you.

You: Thank you, only need three, how much three, three hundred baht?

Them: Ah, cannot, three hundred too little. Please mister/miss, must feed baby (a popular imaginary accessory), work here every night, now foreigner few, no business (reverse psychology, softening you up).

You: Okay, this shop I buy many thing, shirt, book, souvenir, all together, then you give good price okay.

Them: I have many thing, you like this velly cheap… (this is where they try offloading their whole stall on you, suddenly getting wildly optimistic and excited).

You: (deliver coup de grace, suddenly change your mind, say no thanks and abruptly walk away slowly)

Them: (come running after you with original product) Okay, mister/miss, I give you eighty baht, best price, please, nowhere cheaper.

You: Eighty baht? Seventy.

Them: (no longer laughing, looking at you with killer emotional blackmail expression). Eighty.

You: Okay, eighty baht, I take three.

(At this point you become altruistic and use your leverage to tip them nicely, give him/her ninety or a hundred baht for each one, they appreciate the gesture, all smiles, everyone happy.)

*She probably bought it for fifty baht, but these people make very little, be kind, a hundred baht is no more than a couple of bucks.

The Thai are a proud nation of people with a long history and well-established, complex hierarchal structure of status. Starting with the Royal family and percolating down, everyone in Thailand knows and respects their place in society. A polite Thai (which is most of them) will usually immediately identify whether another is of higher status than them (usually deemed by age or wealth) and initiate the ‘wai’ - a submissive and graceful bringing together of the hands to the chest or beneath the nose (to show ultimate respect). Even on a social level they will refer to their elders as ‘pii’ (older sibling). In fact social grace is paramount and the formal suffix ‘kha’ (female) and ‘khrup’ (male) is added to the end of all sentences when addressing strangers, employers/employees or elders.

There are many other habits of etiquette which the foreigner will do well to observe, the most important being to avoid loss of face by losing your temper. The feet are considered dirty and should not be pointed directly at people or raised; shoes are usually never worn in indoor living areas and the head is sanctified, so avoid touching someone else on the head, unless they are an intimate friend. Contrary to popular impression, Thais are quite conservative and expect visitors to dress appropriately in formal public places. They are also discreet about showing affection, especially in public. Holding hands is considered taboo among the older generation.

While Westerners tend to pick up subtleness in tone of voice to indicate someone’s mood, Thais read more into your body language and approach. Emphasis is usually placed on passiveness and although they are used to foreigners being abrupt, it pays to smile constantly and go gently. Eye contact is a common and important method of placing strangers at ease and there is good reason why Thailand is known as ‘the land of smiles’. The Thai are incredibly patient and forgiving in an imperfect society and are happy to accept things as they are. The best you can do as a foreigner is to offer a soft laugh in testing situations, and say ‘mai pen rai’ (never mind) - a frequently used excuse.

For most Thai people, even in the modern era, acting appropriately to maintain or improve your status is extremely important and this goes some way towards explaining their desire for material gain and wealth. Above all, they adore their King and greatly respect the Royal family; indeed his Highness King Bhumibol (Rama IX) of the current Chakri dynasty (and the world’s longest reigning monarch still alive) is hugely respected for his compassionate servitude to the entire nation, along with Queen Sirikit.

Thai cultural behaviour is far reaching and subtle, and often creates some frustration for foreigners who are unaware of the cultural habits that may influence everyday business and service. For an in-depth, albeit slightly dated, insight we recommend Robert and Nanthapa Cooper’s Culture Shock: Thailand (Times ISBN:981 204 157 5).

Every evening, the centre of Chiang Mai comes alive with a massive Night Bazaar, and few people visit the city without picking up a few bargains here. In fact, the stalls that are squeezed on to the pavement and in the purpose-built arcades are one of Chiang Mai’s biggest attractions.

Here you can pick up everything from antiques to fake Rolex watches, choose from an astonishing variety of handicraft souvenirs, sample the smoothness of the colourful silk on sale everywhere, have a suit measured up, ready for your collection the following evening, browse exquisite Asian silver jewellery or stock up on cheap DVDs.

The Chiang Mai Night Market is considered legendary and certainly one the cheapest places for tourists to shop in Thailand, due its close proximity to the source of products and the lower cost of living in Chiang Mai. It is situated along a three block stretch of Chan Klan road in the heart of the city, within walking distance of most hotels. Clustered around it are many restaurants and other useful services, such as camera shops, travel agents, internet cafEs and more. One popular activity is to have your portrait done all dressed up in traditional Thai costume.

The actual Vieng Ping Night Bazaar is the main locus of trade and comprises a two-storey mezzanine arcade where quality antiques, clothing and crafts can be found. Across the road is the Kalare Centre where you can settle your appetite after all the bargaining and haggling. There is an international selection of food to be enjoyed in an open-seated area with entertainment provided by traditional Thai dancers and music - an enchanting experience.

Wandering along the crowded pavements, admiring the beautifully-made handicrafts and seeking out bargains on more contemporary consumer goods is the best way to enjoy the Chiang Mai Night market. Take your time and be patient, but most of all, learn how to bargain! Thai market traders expect it and their opening gambit will always be about twice what you ought to pay. The longer you persist with a ‘friendly’ argument, the better your final price. However, be aware that these goods are already ridiculously cheap and the vendors earn modest incomes. How to Bargain in Thailand.

The many goods on sale include: colourful Thai fabric, silk, clothing, t-shirts (souvenir and fake name brands), copied sunglasses and watches, luggage, music and DVDs, cheap shoes, handicrafts, silverware, interior décor, wood carved products, gems, antiques, toys, accessories and travel convenience goods.

Even with modern technology, Chiang Mai silk remains a timeless expression of the craftsman’s skill. From reeling the gossamer silk filaments from the cocoon, through the dyeing process, to weaving the filaments into a myriad of shimmering forms, nothing can replace the sure hands and eyes of the experienced craftsman in revealing the luminous beauty of genuine Thai Silk.

CHAO HANG

95/21 Nimmanhemin Rd. ChiangMai 50200

CHIANG MAI THAI SILK

8/7 Moo 1, ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. ChiangMai 50130

JOLIE FEMME

8/3 ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. ChiangMai 50000

LE BOMBYX

120/11 Moo 3, ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. Chiang Mai 50130

PORNNUMPUENG

2nd Fl., Chiang Mai Pavillion, 145 Chang Klan Rd. ChiangMai 50100

SANKAMPAENG THAI SILK

33/5 Moo 3,ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. ChiangMai 50130

SHINAWATRA PANICH

73 ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. ChiangMai 50130

SHINAWATRA THAI SILK

145/1-2 Km. 7 ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. Chiang Mai 50130

SHINAWATRA TRADING

16 Huay Kaew Rd. ChiangMai 50300

SILKINO-THAI

27 Soi 3 Thapae Rd. ChiangMai 50100

SILK PLACE

199/33 Chang Klan Rd. ChiangMai 50100

S.SHINAWATRA THAI SILK

18 Huay Kaew Rd. ChiangMai 50300

STUDIO NAENNA

138/8 Soi Chang Khian, Huay Kaew Rd. ChiangMai 50300

AMARAVADEE ANTIQUE

141 ChiangMai-Hod Rd ChiangMai 50230 3’d Fl , Chiang Inn Plaza

ANTIQUE HOUSE

71 Charoen Prathet Rd #50100 196 Moo 2, ChiangMai-Hod Rd, ChiangMai 50230

ART & CRAFT CHIANGMAI

172 Moo 2, ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd ChiangMai 50130

A-TI ANTIQUE

Room Nr 10, 2nd Fl, Night Bazaar 104/1 Chang Klan Rd ChiangMai 50100

BAN PHOR LIANG MUEN’S

36 soi 2 Prapokklao Rd , A Muang, ChiangMai 50200

BORISOOTHI ANTIQUES

15/2 ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd ChiangMai 50130

CHAISILP COLLECTION

10-12 Ratchadumnern Rd- ChiangMai 50200

CHIANGMAI BANYEN

200/1 WualaI Rd ChiangMai 50200 3rd FL, Kad Suan Kaew

CHIANG SAEN ART SOUVENIRS

68-70 RatChiang Saen Rd ChiangMai 50100

CHILLI ANTIQUES & ART .

74/1 Moo 1 Chiang Mai-Hod Rd ChiangMai 50230 . Room No 60, 3rd Fl , Night Bazaar

DRAGON ART

1 Moo 5, Chiang Mai-Hod Rd ChiangMai 50230

IYARA ART

35/4 Moo 3 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Rd ChiangMai 50130

LANNA HOUSE

186/3 Km 45 Mae Rim-Samoeng Rd. ChiangMai 50180

MONTHIENMANEE

39/2 Moo 3, ChiangMai-Sankampaeng Rd. ChiangMai 50130

NAKEES ASIAN TREASURES

106 Moo 8, T. Baan Wan ChiangMai 50230

PON ART GALLERY

35/3 Moo, ChiangMai Sankampaeng Raod ChiangMai 50130

RATANA ART

19 Nantaram Road ChiangMai 50100

SUPREME LOCAL ART, CO,, LTD

Basement of Kad Suan Kaew 99/4 Moo2, Huay Kaew Road ChiangMai 50200

THAI ANG

4/2 Nantaram Road ChiangMai 50100

UNDER THE BO

Room No. 23, 2nd Floor, Night Bazaar, 104/1 Chang Klan Road ChiangMai 50100

WICHAI ANTIQUES

3rd Floor, Chiang Inn Plaza, 100/1 Chang Klan Road ChiangMai 50100 ChiangMai Pavilion, 145 Chang Klan Road ChiangMai 50100