If you want to buy stone jewellery (bracelets, necklaces,…), minerals and costume jewelry in Thailand, the best place for wholesale and retail is this market in Bangkok, since the value for money is extremely good (cheap and good quality)
In this post, I tell you what you can buy in this market, how to get to the market and the prices, what to do in the capital of Thailand, and how to get to the city from the airport by TRANSFER (👉prices) or public transport.
Shopping in Bangkok: fashion jewelry, bracelets & minerals
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand (👉GUIDE to THAILAND), you need to know that it’s a country characterized by its numerous temples and historical monuments, its street and traditional food (like pad thai), its landscapes, and for being home to some of the world’s best beaches.
If you’re not a thai citizen, I recommend this link where you can check the ✅REQUIREMENTS and get the VISA. Also, so you can travel peacefully without worrying about your health and safety, here you’ll find a 💥 TRAVEL INSURANCE. And don’t forget to get 🏠10€/10$ DISCOUNT on ACCOMODATION!
Click on the image and get a 5% discount to stay connected during your travels!
Bangkok (👉GUIDE TO BANGKOK) is a bustling, cosmopolitan city where ancient tradition meets modernity. Here, you can enjoy Buddhist temples and towering skyscrapers, and witness the chaotic traffic and the tranquility of the canals.
Bangkok is a city with a lot to offer in terms of activities and sights. Its popular NIGHT MARKETS are a great place to shop and try all sorts of STREET FOOD, the FLOATING MARKETS offer a unique and picturesque experience, and the ruins of AYUTTHAYA are a great option to explore Bangkok history.
If you’re short on time, you can choose a 1-DAY TOUR that covers the city’s major attractions.
Where to buy minerals/stone & costume jewelry in Bangkok (wholesale & retail)
Today I will tell you about a place that I realy loved. I met a Thai girl who recommended the Sempeng market to buy bracelets and collars.
There, apart from Thai stone jewelery and good minerals, you can also find, basically EVERYTHING, it is souvenirland and it also extends through a lot of streets, it is, to sum up, a shopping labyrinth.
But let’s get to the point: the stone bracelets, necklaces and jewellery in general. Walking around Sempeng I could only find earrings, pendants, etc. but made of fake silver and gold, and I was looking for stones (turquoise, agates, tiger’s eye, aventurines and others).
And, by chance, I came to the heaven of accessories, the paradise of minerals and stones, the downfall of any consumer and, furthermore, at a very cheap price. But first, a picture so you can see the place.
It is a mineral market within the Sempeng market that is popular to buy wholesale, but you can also buy 1 or 2 bracelets as a souvenir. The place is not fancy at all, it is 100% local Thai.
As you can see in the picture, they also sell animal or religious statuettes (many made of jade), some fossils of different sizes, and rocks and minerals, but also stone jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, etc. ).
Great value for money (prices)
Most of the stone bracelets and necklaces are sold in strips (that is, you will have to assemble them later at home, but don’t be lazy, it’s just a second) and you can make two bracelets or a necklace (only with a strip) for 40THB (€ 1= $ 1,2).
There are different qualities, sizes and types of stones, but for this (40 THB) price you can already find quite a lot of different strips. Stone jewellery that have a more complicated design will cost about 125THB per strip.
Don’t think that the beads will be broken or badly polished, the quality is much better than the ones that you can buy in more touristy and expensive markets, and in this one the value for money is unbeatable.
They also sell jewellery that is already assembled, these are somewhat more expensive and are sold by unit or by weight, depending on the stone.
How to get to the jewellery market in Bangkok + schedule
About the location: the market is very close to Yaowarat street (where you can buy something to eat if you get hungry) and it’s located inside the food market that is marked on the map (I highly recommend the spinach dim sum, it’s delicious!).
So, this is Narnia style: you enter the market, continue straight ahead, and at one side of the corridor you will see some mineral stalls (quite big and long), if you enter and keep walking, you will end up in another world, full of little stands of bracelets, jade elephants, rings, minerals in rock, fossils, and much more.
The party starts at 4 in the morning (approx. If I remember correctly) selling the products wholesale for the city stores; so, although it is open until 6 in the afternoon, I would recommend that you go there in the morning, because you will have more to choose from.
Here is the location:
If you want to see the Sempeng market first, you should take the ferry to Rachawongse, but if you prefer to go there directly, the Lamphong subway station is quite close.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a very large city with different areas and neighborhoods. I will tell you which are the most interesting, economical or fun to stay during your stay:
Khaosan Road y Chinatown
Khaosan Road is a bustling and renowned street in Bangkok, especially among backpackers who prefer staying in hostels and seeking affordable accommodation.
Just nearby is Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown, which has two significant advantages. Firstly, it’s located close to the central train station, and secondly, it’s adjacent to Yaowarat Street, where you can find a scrumptious street food market at night.
| Recommended Hotels | ||||
| Cheap and dorms | Once Again | Mad Monkey | Niras Bankoc | Back Home |
| Bed Station | Jam Hostel | Baan | Printing | |
| High budget | Chakrabongse | Riva | Arun | Ayathorn |
| Mid Range | Saran | Loogchoob | Ago | Happy Station |
Sukhumvit
This area is great – it’s well-connected and has lots of affordable options for shopping, dining, and lodging, all right in the heart of the city. Plus, it’s known for its lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, nightclubs, and even a couple of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts.
| Recommended Hotels | ||||
| Cheap and dorms | Holy Sheet | Home16 | Cazz | Hide Bangkok |
| High budget | Sheraton | Okura | Eastin Grand | Sukhothai |
| St. Regis | Metropolitan | U Sathorn | Park Hyatt | |
| Mid Range | Blue | Gardina | Lancaster | Somerset |
Chao Praya River
I would suggest staying on the east side of the Chao Phraya River for your accommodation. The views are breathtaking, and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or dinner while watching the sunset. The only downside is that the area can be quite pricey.
How to get from the airport to the center
In Bangkok, the airport that receives international flights is Suvarnabhumi and is located 30km from the city. I’ll tell you how to get to the city center in 4 different ways:
Shuttle/transfer
Taking a SHUTTLE (👉price) is the most comfortable option to get to the center of Bangkok, especially for large groups. They will wait for you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel.
One of the problems with taking a taxi in Bangkok is that sometimes they tell you that they know the hotel, but they take you to another hotel, charge you the fare and leave (it happened to me twice). The transfer is a more professional service and you will avoid problems.
Airport Rail Link (train)
The Airport Rail Link (👉price and schedule) takes you to Bangkok in 25 minutes. There are two main stations for commuters: Makkasan (to transfer to the subway) and Phaya Thai (connecting to the Skytrain). The single ticket will cost you 45BHT.
Taxi
At the airport exit, you’ll find taxis readily available to transport you to your hotel. However, it’s important to be aware of a potential issue with this service. Some taxi drivers have been known to overcharge unsuspecting tourists or even take them to the wrong hotel.
Therefore, it’s advisable to exercise caution and ensure that you choose a reputable taxi or consider alternative transportation options to avoid any inconvenience or scams.
bus
It is the cheapest option of the 4 (the ticket will cost you between 25 and 50BHT); but also the slowest, since it will take between 1 and 2 hours to arrive.
If you are staying on Khao San Road, there is a direct bus for approximately 60BHT.
Tours and activities in Bangkok
Bangkok is a very lively city with a diversity of activities and places to see and discover. Its markets are endless, and this city perfectly combines modernity with tradition.
Here is a list of the tours and activities that you can do in this city:
Is it safe to travel to Thailand?
Thailand is a safe country to travel, although in recent years there has been an increase in robberies in Bangkok and the main tourist destinations. If you are a victim of robbery or accident, you should call the Tourist Police at 1155.
Remember to follow these recommendations:
- If you’re being robbed, don’t try to fight back physically.
- Also, don’t flaunt your wealth by wearing expensive jewelry or carrying designer purses.
- It’s best to be cautious when you’re out and about, especially at night, and stick to well-populated areas.
- Keep your valuables close to your body and out of sight to avoid being a target for thieves (your camera, phone,..).
- And finally, don’t carry your backpack on your back where it’s easy for someone to snatch it; carry it in front of you or use a belt bag or cross-body bag instead.
It’s legally forbidden to speak badly of the monarchy. Any criticism or insult will be considered a crime and leads to a long stay in prison.
When organizing your itinerary, you should avoid border areas with Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Laos; and in particular Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
Attacks, territorial disputes, acts of violence, land mines, drug and human trafficking are common in these areas.
If you’re thinking about renting a car or motorcycle while you’re abroad, don’t leave your passport as collateral. If there’s any damage, the rental company could use it as leverage to get money from you.
Remember that the accident rate for motorcycles is very high, and many of them end in the death of the driver. Wear a helmet, always check that the brakes are in good working condition (most of them don’t stop well), and get TRAVEL INSURANCE.
Eating vegan in Thailand
It’s easy to find local restaurants in Thailand that serve vegetarian and vegan dishes. You shouldn’t have any problem eating vegan, although it’s better to ask before ordering. Fish sauce and oyster sauce are used as the base of many dishes.
In October, a religious festival that is characterized by vegan food takes place. You’ll see that the street food stalls are decorated with yellow flags with red letters. This is an indicator of vegan food (and it’s very yummy).
Here are three recommendations, and in this link you can read tips for traveling vegan.
- Try to stay at hotels that are known for their vegan and vegetarian dishes. This is the best option and the most practical if you don’t want to have to worry about finding restaurants with vegan options.
- Before going on a tour that includes a meal, always mention that you are vegan or vegetarian, so they can adapt the food.
- Thailand is a country where you can find a wide variety of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) to prepare salads and fruit-based breakfasts.
- In any city or town you go to, you will easily find a market or street vendor where you can do your shopping.
What to do in Bangkok
Bangkok has much to offer the visitor: from ancient ruins to its cuisine, through bustling markets and Buddhist temples.
These are some places that I visited during my stay in Bangkok and that you should not miss if you visit this city:
Khlong lat mayom floating market
The Khlong Lat Mayom is a mixed market: some of the merchandise is sold at stalls on dry land and others on boats that float down the river.
It is located a bit far from the city, but it is easy to get there by metro + taxi; The advantage is that it is not as touristy as other more central markets and you will be able to breathe a little more the authenticity of the Thai markets.
Along the same river, boat trips are also organized to see the canals, a temple next to a small market, and a greenhouse with different species of orchids.
Wang Lang market
Wang Lang is a 100% land-based market, central and well connected, perfect for spending the afternoon without many complications and buying dinner.
One of its strengths is food, especially if you like sushi! I know it may sound weird because it is a Japanese dish, but in this market they have huge shops with endless different types of sushi.
The other strong point is the lack of foreigners, since it is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya (the fat river that runs through the middle of the city). But this only implies advantages because, apart from being less touristy, it gives you the opportunity to take the ferry to cross the river!
I hope you have a great time in Bangkok and enjoy your travels to the fullest!