Bangkok is a shopper's paradise offering upscale department stores to huge weekend markets to international grocery complexes.
Clothes, jewelry, and furniture can all be made to order very inexpensively. Knowing this, many people bring photographs of items, or the actual items, that they would like reproduced.
General Information
- Most medicines are available over the counter and are easy to find
- Finding high quality clothes and shoes in large sizes can be challenging
- There is a wide range of moderately priced prescription glasses available
- Major brands of make-up are in department stores, but are expensive
- It's difficult to find the right size in women's undergarments
- Sheet , mattress, and bed frame sizes can be different from the standard in other countries
- Regular (medium) paper cupcake liners are not available.
- Candy is readily available, but many North American and European favorites are not offered
- There is generally a 100% duty on most items that are mailed/imported to Thailand
Electrical
The voltage in Thailand is 220. The plugs in most Thai homes can fit a variety of prongs. Adaptors are also available. Dual voltage items work fine. Transformers can be used to lower the voltage on most electronic equipment. Use high-quality electrical surge protectors for expensive electronics. If Thai light bulbs are used, lamps of any voltage are fine. A variety of Internet service is available.
Social
There is an active social scene at ISB and in Bangkok with numerous balls, clubs, coffees/teas, luncheons, games groups, and almost all sports. Packing serving pieces and game/sport supplies is advisable. You may want to bring Halloween costumes and your national dress for international parades and parties.
