I usually hate shopping. Walking in shopping malls alone without any specific target of purchase in mind can be a disaster for me. I seldom buy anything on my own, for my own as well, apart from things to be eaten. But in Bangkok, I couldn’t resist the low price as well and bought myself some clothes. I bet if I could have a female company and some more baht, I will need another backpack for the other things I wanted to buy.
My point of view maybe biased. But from what I observe, the Thais prefer shopping in the markets more than the big air-coned shopping malls, even though the malls look equally nice and elegant as Paragon in Singapore.
The bargaining process can be enjoyable as well if you are in the right mood, and that’s my new discovery in Bangkok. Set a budget for the things you want, ask the vendor for the price, and then cut the quoted price to a quarter or lower. I start to understand the sense of satisfaction derived from obtaining what you want at a price lower than your budget. And the thing, say a pretty nice shirt, may cost just a normal school canteen meal in Singapore.
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