The Treasures and Pleasures of Thailand: Best of the Best

by Ronald Krannich, Caryl Krannich

Overview

Exploring major regions and exotic countries of the world, the authoritative Impact Guides take today's discerning travelers into the fascinating worlds of artisans, craftspeople, shopkeepers, and fine hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing. These unique guides show travelers how to have a wonderful time discovering quality products, outstanding buys, and talented, interesting, and friendly people. Jam-packed with travel tips, bargaining strategies, and recommended shops, hotels, and restaurants, the Impact Guides represent some of the most exciting travel writing today. These books especially appeal to discriminating travelers who seek quality travel experience that go beyond the standard descriptive guidebooks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570230769
Publisher:	Impact Publications VA
Publication date:	04/24/2000
Series:	Impact Guides Series
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 8.24(h) x 0.93(d)

Table of Contents

	Preface	xi
Chapter 1	Welcome to Seductive Thailand	1
	An Intriguing Land	1
	A Trip Well Worth Taking	2
	Getting to Know You	2
	Charming Chaos	3
	Surprising Communities	4
	Approach It Right	6
	Treasures of Quality and Value	7
	Unforgettable Pleasures	9
	Select Your Cities	10
	Places, Products, and Prices	10
	Organize For Thailand and Beyond	11
	Beware of Recommended Shops	13
	Expect a Rewarding Adventure	15
Part I	Traveling Smart
Chapter 2	Know Before You Go	19
	New and Changing Realities	19
	Challenging Infrastructure	22
	Location and Area	23
	Climate, Seasons, When to Go	24
	Coping With Heat and Humidity	24
	Getting There	26
	Good Travel Deals	28
	Anticipated Costs	29
	Package Tours or On Your Own	30
	Documents	31
	On-Line and Off-Line Resources	31
	Tourism Authority of Thailand	38
Chapter 3	Prepare For Your Adventure	45
	Minimize Uncertainty	45
	Develop an Action Plan	46
	Create Your Own Good Luck	47
	Conduct Research and Network	48
	Check Customs Regulations	49
	Manage Your Money Well	50
	Use Credit Cards Wisely	52
	Secure Your Valuables	53
	Take All Necessary Shopping Information	54
	Do Comparative Shopping	55
	Keep Track of All Receipts	56
	Pack Right and Light	56
	Choose Sensible Luggage	57
	Throw in a Calculator	58
	Check the List	59
	Ship With Ease	61
Chapter 4	Arrival and Survival	65
	Flying In	65
	Airport	66
	Airport Procedures and Services	66
	Airport to City Transportation	70
	Customs and Exports of Antiques	72
	Airport Tax and Your Loose Change	73
	Currency and Credit Cards	74
	Security and Safety	75
	Tipping	75
	Language	76
	Business Hours	77
	Transportation and Taxis	77
	Tours and Travel Agents	83
	Foods, Drinks, and Restaurants	84
	Accommodations and Access	88
	Electricity and Water	89
Part II	Acquiring Unique Treasures
Chapter 5	Shopping, Bargaining, and Shipping Rules	93
	Changing Shopping Scene	93
	New Shopping Culture	94
	Beware of Well-Meaning Advice	95
	Touts, Cheating, and Commissions	96
	Shopping By the Rules	98
	Pricing Practices and Bargaining	103
	Coping With Price Uncertainty	104
	Establish Value and Price	105
	Get the Best Deal Possible	107
	Practice 12 Rules of Bargaining	107
	Bargain For Needs, Not Greed	113
	Examine Your Goods Carefully	113
	Beware of Scams	114
	Use Reliable Shippers	116
Chapter 6	Major Shopping Choices	118
	Shopping Strengths	118
	Thai Silk and Cotton	120
	Tailor-Made Clothes	122
	Ready-Made Clothes	123
	Gems and Semi-Precious Stones	123
	Gold and Silver	125
	Jewelry and Accessories	126
	Copy Watches	128
	Bronze, Brass, and Pewter	130
	Arts and Antiques	131
	Art and Framing	134
	Leather Goods	136
	Nielloware and Bencharong	137
	Celadon and Lacquerware	137
	Handicrafts	138
	Tapestries	139
	Furniture	140
	The More You Look	142
Chapter 7	Gems, Jewelry, and Tailoring Tips	143
	Buying Gems and Jewelry	143
	Tailoring Tips	151
Part III	Surprising Bangkok
Chapter 8	Welcome to Bangkok	157
	Chaos and Contrasts	157
	A Shopper's Paradise	160
	The Streets of Bangkok	160
	Overcoming Street Shock	161
	Getting Oriented	163
	Navigating Streets and Lanes	164
	Plan It Right	167
	Visit One Area Each Day	168
	Set Priorities	169
	Bargain If You Can	169
	Shipping	170
Chapter 9	Where to Shop	171
	Shopping Areas	172
	Shopping Arcades and Complexes	183
	Department Stores	191
	Markets, Stalls, and Bazaars	192
	Craft Factories	198
	Out-of-the-Way Discoveries	199
	Shopping on Limited Time	201
Chapter 10	In Search of Quality	202
	Antiques, Arts, Furniture, Carvings, and Home Decorative Items	202
	Paintings and Framing	207
	Silk and Cotton	208
	Clothes and Tailors	209
	Handmade Furniture	211
	Jewelry, Silver, Accessories	211
	Handicrafts	213
	Celadon, Bencharong, Pottery	215
	Bronzeware	216
Chapter 11	Enjoying Your Stay	217
	Sightseeing	217
	Accommodations	221
	Restaurants	231
	Entertainment	246
	Sampling the Tempting Sex	251
Part IV	Exotic Chiang Mai and Beyond
Chapter 12	Discovering Chiang Mai	255
	Getting to Know You	255
	The Streets of Chiang Mai	260
	Shopping Strengths and Strategies	261
	Where to Shop	264
	What to Buy	270
	Best of the Best	278
	Getting What You Want	285
	Accommodations	289
	Restaurants	293
	Enjoying Your Stay	295
	Looking Back	295
Chapter 13	Beyond Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Thailand	297
	Getting There	298
	Cautiously Explore the Hinterland	299
	Chiang Rai	301
	Maesai	303
	The Golden Triangle	307
	Lampang	308
	Lamphun	310
	Mae Hong Son	311
	Ayutthaya	312
	Pattaya	314
	Phuket	316
	Ko Samui	323
	Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam	326
Chapter 14	Myanmar (Burma)	330
	Politically Incorrect Travel	330
	The Travel Challenge	331
	Shopping Myanmar and Yangon	332
	Accommodations	339
	Enjoying Your Stay	340
	The Road to Mandalay	341
	Shopping Mandalay and Bagan	343
	Index	345
	The Authors	355
	More Treasures and Pleasures	358

Editorial Reviews

Focusing on Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and nine other locations in Thailand, two seasoned travelers and insightful shoppers reveal places to buy art, antiques, furniture, jewelry, textiles, clothes, handicrafts, and home decorative items, and give advice on finding the best restaurants and accommodations. They offer bargaining, shopping, and shipping advice, and give contacts for places to shop, dine, and relax. The authors operate a training, consulting, and publishing firm. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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