Hey, big spender!
BANGKOK is without a
doubt the most famous
city in Thailand for
shopping. “Few places in
the world can rival Bangkok
when it comes to shopping
experiences – from big
shopping malls to countless
markets,” says Karen Camm,
product manager for kulula
holidays.
For Lesley Simpson,
spokesperson for the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) in
SA, the ultimate shopping
experience in Bangkok is the
weekend market at Chatuchak
– the largest in Thailand and
the world, with a staggering
15 000 stalls covering 14
hectares.
Lesley warns that visiting
Chatuchak can be daunting for
first-time travellers. However,
travel agents can help their
clients to navigate the market
by advising them that the
outer rim of the market usually
features plants, gardening
equipment and clothing, while
the stalls in the inner sections
deal in clothing, souvenirs,
jewellery and household décor.
Jacqui Carr, The Holiday
Factory product manager,
says Mah Boon Krong (MBK)
in Bangkok is also worth a
visit. MBK is one of Bangkok’s
legendary multi-storey
shopping complexes, where
travellers can find almost
anything at a ‘ridiculous’
price, she comments. Jacqui
explains that the more
upmarket shopping malls,
such as Central World, Siam
Paragon and Central Embassy
can be pricey but says if
travellers can time their
holidays with the big sales,
they can still find items at
good prices.
While Bangkok is the main
shopping spot in Thailand and
offers the most variety, Giles
Clinton, director of Checkout
Tours, points out that Chiang
Mai is also a great shopping
destination. “Chiang Mai has
more ethnic textiles, is much
cheaper and the people are
friendlier than in Bangkok.”
Lesley agrees and says that
the famous night market in
Chiang Mai is the place to go,
where travellers can enjoy the
lights, music and excitement of
bargaining. “A walk around the
market takes travellers through
numerous stalls selling
clothes, jewellery, shoes, bags,
souvenirs, and delicious food.
Part of the experience is to sit
down at one of the many foot
massage shops to rest and
revitalise before continuing to
look for that special bargain.
Chiang Mai is the best place
to purchase the traditional
Thai pants – the quality is
much better than elsewhere,”
she maintains.
Aside from its two main
shopping meccas, Thailand
offers an abundance of
shopping opportunities and
clients can shop anywhere
in the country, according
to Janine Pienaar, sales
representative South Africa for
Centara Hotels and Resorts.
“Each destination in Thailand
has a place to shop with very
cheap fashionable clothing,”
she says.
Insider tips...
Janine says travel agents
should remind their clients
to bargain when shopping at
the markets. “The market
stall owner is expecting you
to do so,” she comments.
Karen says clients should
be warned never to let a
tuk-tuk or taxi driver take
them shopping. “Stores
give commissions to these
people and that cost is
reflected in the price you
pay,” she says.
Travellers also shouldn’t
settle for the first item they
see, says Giles. “If you find
something you like, don’t buy
it at the first stall because
you will more than likely
come across it again, but
cheaper.”
“Head off the beaten
track,” advises Jacqui. “Don’t
shop in the touristy areas
all the time – not only will
it be cheaper but you will
find different items that
your friends back home will
always comment on!”
Lesley advises that it is
important for travellers to
start by making a list of what
they want to buy, and then
match it with where to go.
“Markets are good to visit
in the mornings or evenings
when it’s a little cooler and
often less frantic. In the heat
of the day, air-conditioned
malls are a much better
place to be.
Warn your clients...
John Ridler, spokesperson
for Cullinan Outbound,
says Thailand is well
known for its copies of
famous brands – especially
handbags and shoes. He
adds that while Thais are
known for their honesty,
it is important to advise
clients to check for quality
before buying.
Carla Seaman, Far East
supervisor at Travel Vision,
says it is important to
make clients aware that
there are some fake Thai
bhats doing the rounds.
“They also need to watch
out not to get ripped off
when it comes to tuk-tuk or
taxi rates,” she says.
Upsell the shopping experience
One of the best ways to
upsell Thailand to clients
looking for a shopping
holiday is to combine this
with a beach experience.
“Thailand is renowned
for good shopping and
you can combine it with
a quick or long beach trip
at one of the many beach
destinations,” says Giles.
When it comes to the
hotel choice, there are
also opportunities for
travel agents to upsell the
destination to their clients.
John says in Bangkok,
travel agents should
advise their clients that it
is best to choose a hotel
in the central Pratunam or
Sukhumvit areas – close
to all the large shopping
emporiums.
According to Lesley,
a good way to upsell a
shopping trip to Bangkok is
by adding some nearby wellknown
attractions, including
Ayutthaya, known for its
old city and floating market
or Hua Hin, a seaside
resort.
For the beach babes...
WITH a 2 500km coastline,
Thailand offers a wealth of
sandy beaches, sheltered
bays, quiet coves and idyllic
islands. Lesley Simpson says
each location has its own
distinct character, whether
travellers are looking for an
action-packed vacation, a funfilled
party scene or a lazy
escape to a serene tropical
paradise.
John Ridler says the trick
is to choose the right beach.
“Patong beach is busy and full
of buzz whereas the beaches
of Koh Samui are quieter and,
if you want a really relaxed
beach experience, choose
Khao Lak where you can laze
under shady trees.”
According to Janine Pienaar,
Phuket is still regarded as
Thailand’s main drawcard for
South Africans, especially
since the government has
recently cleaned up the island
and banned all the umbrellas
and beach chairs.
However, travel agents
should not just stick to Phuket,
maintains Giles Clinton.
He advises travel agents to
combine beaches for different
experiences: water sports in
Phuket, white sandy beaches
good for snorkelling in Phi Phi
and limestone rocks in Krabi.
For travellers preferring a
remote island feeling, Railey
Beach near Krabi is the perfect
option as it is only accessible
by boat, says Lesley. “It has
a ‘deserted island’ feeling
you won’t find on most of
the country’s popular beach
destinations. Clear blue
waters, small islands on the
horizon and majestic cliffs
surround the small beach,
which is generally not crowded
except during peak season.”
Lesley says Koh Chang’s
beaches are divided into two
groups – those on the western
and those on the eastern side.
Most of the popular attractions
are on the western side, while
the eastern side is still largely
unexplored and has less
popular but equally appealing
places, including waterfalls,
fruit and rubber plantations as
well as fishing villages.
For youngsters who head
to the Thai beaches to party,
Haad Rin, a beach on the
island of Ko Phangan, is world
famous for its Full Moon
Party. “This is something all
youngsters want to visit at
least once in their lives,” says
Lesley.
When it comes to avid
golfers, Hua Hin beach is the
place to be, with the highest
concentration of golf courses
in Thailand.
Insider tips...
“Consider the weather,
especially if your clients
plan to snorkel or scuba
dive,” says Janine. She
says, depending on the
side of the island, you
could encounter a monsoon
season, which would not be
ideal for water sports.
It is imperative to choose
the right beach or island
to cater for the experience
the client is anticipating,
says Jacqui. She says the
cheapest package does not
always cater for everyone’s
expectations. “Thailand is
affordable in general, so
investigate the different
package options available.”
John says it is important
for travel agents to explain
to travellers that many
hotels in Phuket are across
the road from the beach,
not on the beach.
Upsell the beach experience
Travel agents can
best upsell Thailand
beach experiences
by sweetening their
packages with a short
water excursion. “Offer
a discount on one of the
water activities or have
it included in the final
pricing,” says Lesley.
She adds that travel
agents can also combine
familiar destinations with
those that are a little
less known, for example
Phuket and Krabi Island.
“Each island is unique
and the beaches differ.”
Jacqui notes that very
often the cost difference
between a three- and
four-star hotel, or the cost
to upgrade to a higher
room category is minimal.
“Point this out, especially
to the clients who tend
to look at price only as
opposed to value.”
Fun for food fanatics
THAI food is a top attraction
for most travellers to Thailand
as it has become one of the
world’s most popular cuisines.
While Thai dishes have a
reputation for being spicy,
they are actually based on
a balance between different
flavours – spicy, sour, sweet,
salty and bitter.
According to Lesley Simpson,
it is important for travel agents
to realise that the north is very
different from the south when
it comes to food. “The south is
known for having the spiciest
food in Thailand, with sticky
rice and noodles the preferred
choice, while traditional
steamed rice is favoured in the
north and northeastern parts.”
Jacqui Carr maintains that
while Thai food is popular
worldwide, it tastes even better
when in Thailand. “Travellers
will be doing themselves an
injustice by spending their
holiday in the McDonald’s.
Tom Yum soup and Green
curry are relatively well-known
dishes but there are tons of
other amazing dishes. Visitors
should try northern Thailand’s
signature dish of Khao Soi
(curry-type soup topped with
deep-fried crispy noodles) and
don’t forget about the Nutella
and banana street pancakes
that are served on the street
side at all times of the day or
night!”
Travel agents should
advise their clients to try
the staple Thai dishes, says
Janine Pienaar. “They should
definitely try Somtam papaya
salad, Tom Yam soup, Pad
Thai, Green curry, and then, for
the brave, definitely a street
side food stall experience.”
According to Giles, tourists
who opt for Western food like
KFC or McDonald’s will end up
paying much higher prices than
for local cuisine. “Thai food is
some of the nicest, healthiest
food on the planet and if you
are adventurous then you
will pay next to nothing in
Thailand.”
Insider tips...
“Don’t miss out on the
fantastic experience
of trying street food in
Thailand,” says Karen
Camm. She says travellers
should just follow the
crowd, as locals know
what’s good and will
probably be eating vendors’
specialities.
Lesley adds that the food
courts in malls throughout
the destination should
not be skipped, as the
food is terrific and cheap.
The good old fashioned
‘mealies on a stick’ on
Railey Beach in Krabi are
another must.
According to Jacqui, some
of the local restaurants in
Rawai Beach (south Phuket)
will, for a small fee, cook
visitors’ own freshly caught
fish. “Travellers should use
‘nit nooi’ (meaning ‘little
bit’) if they want to convey
how spicy they would like
their meal and they should
make sure that they have
an ice cold Singha beer
on hand to help ease the
spice,” she advises.
John Ridler says travellers
should be careful when
ordering wine, as it tends
to be very expensive.
“Drink the excellent local
beer instead,” he suggests.
Upsell the foodie experience
Travel agents should sell
clients packages revolving
around food festivals
including hotels that are
next to the food markets,
advises Lesley.
The best way to upsell
a Thai holiday to foodies,
is to sell them a hands-on
cooking class, says John.
He notes that most of
these cooking classes have
become very popular and
are available throughout
Thailand.
