Friday 7 February 2014

Buying beads in Bangkok

So if you have read my last post you will know that I have not long returned from a trip to Thailand. I adore Thailand it's just so easy to navigate, with great food and great people and not to forget great shopping.

So if you are any kind of crafting magpie like myself and you have a trip to The great and awesome Bangkok here are a few tips.

Buying beads: There are 3-4 main places that I found.

1/ The weekend market section 24-26. This is great if you have limited time for shopping in bangkok as here is unfathomably the best place to shop in the world ever! For beads it's not bad. Set aside the whole day if not two and wear comfy shoes. If you like it buy it and if you really like it buy three as once you get back to the city shopping malls it's no where near as cheap. Sky train to Mo Chit station…follow the crowds!

2/ 555 Palladium world shopping Mall ( formally called the Pratunam center) It's right across the street from the platinum fashion mall. go to the basement floor and there is a plethora of bead shops selling mostly stone,crystal and pearl beads. Not so much glass or lamp work. This is where I bought most of my beads. I went specifically to Apple wholesale shop number 318-319

3/ Pahurat fabric market: You will find a number of shops selling mainly crystal and pearl beads here, I would go here specifically for beads but if you are wanting fabric too then why not! refer to my last post for details on how to get there.

4/ Charoen Krung rd (Ban Mo jewelry st) unfortunately I didn't get to go to Ban Mo as my feet were killing me and my husband was beginning to grumble. But we accidentally got off the boat a stop early so ended up having to walk a good stretch of Charoen Krung st and there were a lot of bead sellers though they looked more expensive and I did not go inside as I had already filled my boots at the palladium mall.


!6mm coin pearls from Palladium mall with the most fantastic rainbow shimmer i have ever seen.

14mm faceted red agate


here are just a few of the beads that I bought. if you are not going to Bangkok and really can't be bothered with traipsing round the markets check out my etsy store. or for French or European buyers look for samanthatenn on www.alittlemercerie.com 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with all the places you have mentioned and I visited charoen krung road after reading your blog and it really helped me alot. GREAT post.

Unknown said...

Thanks for your comment, how was Charoen krung compared to the other places? Im not sure when ill be back in BKK but i will definately be back

Anonymous said...

Charoen krung is famous for its variety and all other market like pattunam and china town mostly have glass and dyed beads, other important thing is reliable supplier is available in charoen krung. Well when you visit bangkok then meet us, here you get to our office - http://www.navneetgems.com/How-to-reach-Navneet-Gems-office

VivRobi said...

I just found your blog. I'm going to bankok June 2015, so I'll definitely be buying beads. What about silver findings? Do they sell them in Bangkok? Thanks

Unknown said...

Hi rivrobi, i have to admit i never buy findings when i am in bangkok but the area at the end of the the khao san rd has lots of silver shops selling charms and rope bracelets and i am sure findings too. Let me know how you get on i love finding new areas to explore!

Divya N said...

I am going to Bangkok next month and I think I'll visit palladium and Chatuchak after reading this post. But just confused on how much money will be enough? will I be able to get anything for 2.5 to 3K baht?

Unknown said...

Hi Divya,

Oh yes i should thinks so! It depends what you are looking to buy, i was buying agate strings for about 140 baht i didnt see too much glass im going back in december to thats what i will be hunting for. If you go to china town please let me know if you find anything good. Happy hunting sammi

Studio ^666^ said...

Thanks for the write up- we were just there and found the best shop with the widest selection to be Siam color stone beads - shop #301 and 302. Very friendly owner also.