Ayutthaya Shopping Travel Guide  Jump to: Ayutthaya Shopping Galleries
Ayutthaya presents some fantastic traditional, local products that you may want to pick up for a bargain. One of the best places to discover the local crafts exists at the Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Centre. You can pick up wickerwork, metal wares, wood carvings, pottery, and you can watch the locals do their thing. Be aware that it closes on Monday, and there may be an admission charge. Other places to pick up bargains (including hats, umbrellas, drinks and other tourist fare) exist in local stalls and the night markets. [more]
Experience Ayutthaya's favorite sights as others see them. Let our visual picture tour of Ayutthaya help you choose the best places to visit in Ayutthaya:
Bargaining depends on the type of store. Generally, if the goods have prices marked, you do not bargain. If the goods do not have marked prices, then you're in a good position to begin bargaining. It's a way of life in Thailand, so bring your best skills to the table. Be sure to only bargain when appropriate - bargaining over a product less than 10 Baht makes for very poor form. If you make an offer that gets accepted, then you will be expected to honour that offer. Do not disrespect the seller or yourself by backing out of a deal.
Most shops sell some form of Krayasat - a very sweet smelling and tasting treat made of candy rice. This extremely sweet Thai dessert often gets used as an offering during harvest season ceremonies in late September. The ingredients may include sugar, peanuts, sesame, coconut, and unripe rice. Look for the vacuum sealed packages with the FDA seal of approval - a good brand to buy exists under the province's OTOP product, otherwise known as the Thai Heritage Krayasat.
Roti Sai Mai makes up another dessert to take home for friends (and yourself!). This dessert has Islamic influences, and consists of Thai style fairy floss or cotton candy wrapped up in a thin, pan fried flour known as a Roti. One of the favourite Thai sweets around the world, this treat makes easy eating and excellent unwrapping! Buy from street stalls or in shops on U Thong Road.
Bamboo fans comprise a unique hand made gift for family back home. You may see the traditional hand weaving process in Amphoe Ban Phraek, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Traditionally, the fans were woven into a rough design with very simple techniques. The borders were then trimmed and hand sewn using plain white cloths. The technique then developed to include shapes like Bodhi leaves or hearts. Now the border tends to be trimmed with gold cloth, and the designs make more complicated shapes. The materials used include golden bamboo strips, golden cloth for the trim, white cloth, dye for the bamboo, and a handle.
Bamboo does not make up the only material used for trinkets. Palm leaves also get used to create desirable goods. Palm leaf weavers tend to be Thai Muslims who have inherited their skills from the past 100 years of experience. It's thought that Thai Muslim spice traders sailed their houseboats along the Chao River, and out of their affinity to the water and the environment, they wove fish mobiles out of palm leaf. Originally the mobiles used natural pigments and varnishes and were directly related to the Thai barb fish. Thai people regard the Thai barb as a prosperous fish to attract wealth, so mobiles were hung in the front corridor of the house. The more hanging pieces from the mobile, the more prosperous and blessed the home would be, and the more children the family would produce. The mobiles were also hung above the baby's cradle, in a position easily visible to the baby. To hang it in a position too close to the head or the feet causes eye problems and would disturb the baby with the guardian spirit.
Palm leaves also get woven into hats. This needs just as much technique and patience as other weaving handicrafts, and the weaving process contains several stages to create the perfect hat. It exists as an ancient skill and handicraft with much popularity among Thais and foreigners alike.
Another ancient craft entails repeated coating of bamboo or wood with lacquer. Known as lacquer ware, the object will then be hand painted with designs of a complicated and beautiful nature. Tending towards gold and black or yellow and green colouring on a brownish background, these lovely objects may be sought out in local stores. You may also come across silver beaten objects like bowls, cigarette cases and vases.
Designers search out Thai silk for its traditional weaves and complicated patterns to create a multi coloured yet well-balanced combination of thread. There exist many different types of silk weaving techniques, patterns, cottons and cloths, and all have a depth of tradition and passage from generation to generation, so simply pick whatever style you love!
Gems and jewellery come thick and fast in Thailand, although do be aware that scams often occur and the Tourism Authority suggests you do not bother with gem purchasing in Thailand at all. However, there does exist an abundance of ruby, sapphire, onyx, jade and opal stones in Thailand, so if you keep your wits about you, and do not overspend or get sucked in by a "too good to be true" deal, you may find a good buy. There also exist some excellent cultured pearl farms in Thailand, so the pearl jewellery may be worth a second look.
Hand made nang talung shadow puppets feature moving parts, and can be bought throughout Ayutthaya. The more classic nang yai shadow puppets associate with the royal court of Ayutthaya and have no moving parts. Both of these make unusual and interesting souvenirs or gifts for friends at home.
Durable leather makes up the basis for the quality Thai leather goods. Beautiful designs and a wide range of styles make this craftwork worth considering. Pottery makes another interesting choice, with Thai kilns having Chinese influenced traditions.
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"Everything you ever wanted to know about Ayutthaya shopping"
