Page 11 - Thailand Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

SHOPPING Words of Wisdom-Buyer Beware Thai silks, cottons, nielloware, silverware, Bring your purchases home with you. Unless you are bronze ware, pottery and celadon, pewter prepared to wait a prolonged period of time, do not have it ware, precious stones and finished jewelry, and shipped -- not even by air freight. a dazzling range of folk handicrafts make memorable gifts and souvenirs. International Do not purchase expensive goods of supposed high quality standard ready-made sports and leisurewear unless you are absolutely sure of what you are buying. are inexpensive and quality tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hour services in Unless you are an expert in gems, antiques, artifacts, etc., you Bangkok and major tourist destinations. should not assume that it is of the highest quality or value. Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of Always take the time to read the charge slips for credit card areas in which to pursue their search for purchases before you sign them. This may seem obvious; but bargains, most of them located within walking in the excitement of making a foreign purchase, travelers distance of the major hotels. There are air- sometimes overlook this and are unpleasantly surprised conditioned shopping centers and a number of when they return home and are billed by the credit card local markets selling an array of goods. company. Taking a few moments to review the charge slip before signing it (and computing the exchange rate to be sure CUSTOMS you are charged the right amount) can save you headaches later. The following are prohibited items: All kinds of narcotics (hemp, opium, cocaine, morphine, and heroin), obscene literature, pictures or articles. A reasonable amount of clothing for personal use, toiletries, and musical instruments can be brought in free of duty. One still-camera or one movie camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still- camera film or three rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie- camera film may be brought in free of duty. Cigarettes, cigars or smoking tobacco in total must not exceed 250 grams in weight and no more than 200 cigarettes. One liter of wine or spirits may be brought in duty free. EXPORTS Buddha images, Bodhisattva images or fragments thereof are forbidden to be taken out of Thailand. A license must be obtained from the Department of Fine Arts in order that such objects of antiquity or objects of art, irrespective of whether they are original or reproductions, may be taken out of the country.