Buying wholesale sterling silver in Bangkok Thailand

If you wish to travel to Thailand yourself to buy sterling silver jewellery from the jewellery wholesale shops in Bangkok then below is a guide and some tips on what to look out for.

Firstly there are three main areas for buying wholesale sterling silver jewelry in Bangkok, Khao San Road, Charoen Krung and Pratunam Center. Please note Narai Phand is now closed and most of the silver shops have relocated to to Pratunam Center which not far away at the Petchaburi Junction with Ratchadamri.

Most of the silver shops are reputable and Thai people tend to be honest although as ever in business discretion is wise. Please be aware though that business in Thailand is Thai style. Time is never an issue so be patient and try to manage your expectations. If you need to take stuff away with you make sure it is in stock and buy directly over the counter. This has two advantages, one you can be sure your jewelry is on time and you check the quality yourself before ordering. The silver shops are by and large a suitable means to trade for the small business trader although more expensive than dealing direct with the factories. The small business treader should be aware however that to pay the expenses to come to Thailand then order over the counter may not be the most effective or cheapest alternative. Developing a business relationship with an online supplier will be more time and cost effective.

A view of Khao San Road from the junction with Thanon Tanao

Khao San Sterling Silver Jewelry and Body Jewelry Shops

Khao San Road Wholesale Sterling Silver Jewelry shops actually pervade into all the streets around Khao san Road especially Thanon Tanao which forms a T junction at the eastern end of Khao San.The jewellery shops stock all styles of silver jewelry and body jewelry. Most the shop owners are very honest however quality check each piece of jewelry before purchase.

In order to get to the UPS office and Post Office walk East along Khao San to the junction with Thanon Tanao then turn left up Thanon Tanao. The street is full of wholesale jewelry shops and the UPS office is about 200 metres on the right.. UPS offers a decent delivery service, be sure to have VAT details on hand so the parcel will clear customs without a lot of delay. Please be aware DHL will not handle shipment of jewelry from Thailand so don't waste your time looking for a DHL office.The Post Office is further along Tanao, the road widens into a square and the post office is on the right on the opposite side of the road. The Post Office offers an EMS service for sending smaller amounts of silver without attracting the attention of customs.

Thanon Tanao: the UPS is 200m up on the right; the post office is in the square  further up to the right and on the opposite side of the road.

  Khao San post office

Ask for the "Prai-sarn-nee" for those who are brave enough to try to speak  in Thai, however "where is the post office" will normally suffice.

Registered post is cheap for tourists wanting to send small items abroad.

Charoen Krung Wholesale Jewelry Shops

The Charoen Krung Road is the traditional center of Silver wholesale shops in Bangkok and also has many shops that specialise in precious and semiprecious stones. Many traders from Afghanistan, Pakistan and India have opened shops in this area. The area containing shops actually also spreads up Silom Road and Surawong Road, although Silom is generally more for trading precious stones than silver goods. The Chroen Krung Silver shops can also be quite expensive claiming to be better quality although that is debatable. My advise is steer clear of shops that only deal in US dollars as these tend to be very expensive.

Pratunam Center Wholesale Jewelry Shops 

Pratunamn center is the newest silver wholesale area in Bangkok, already containing some 300+ shops the center is quickly being populated with shops from the old jewelry center at Narai Phan. The wholesale sterling silver area is in the basement.Pratunam Center contains a diversity of sterling silver jewelry, stones necklaces and stones shops.

It makes wholesale silver shopping much easier as it is air conditioned, has very clean toilets, all the shops are on one floor and in the retail area on the second floor is a food court and a KFC outlet. Also there are many massage parlours for the weary traveller who needs a foot massage after walking Bangkok streets all day. It is also handy for general tourist shopping as it has many clothes and handicrafts shops.