The 1,000 baht Bangkok shopping challenge

When it comes to Bangkok shopping, the city has a reputation for offering incredible bargains. But is it deserved?  What does 1,000 baht get a man in Bangkok these days? Minds out of the gutter, fellas. For the moment, we’re talking about men’s fashion.

We went out with a single 1,000 baht note in our pocket to see what we could find -- without buying the first tacky, unstylish items we saw on the street. Here's what we picked up.

What: A cardholder and a pocket key holder

How much: 60 baht each

Where: Daiso, Siam Square Soi 3, BTS: Siam. Tel +66 (0)2 654 6300-4

Explainer: While exploring this "everything for 60 baht" store, we were struck by just how much junk there really is. But give it time. After a bit of digging we found this classy blue card holder with a Lousis Vuitton-esque feel -- perfect for holding our BTS and MRT cards -- and a bright yellow key holder that looks really similar to the ones by Hermes. But ours cost only 60 baht each. What a stylish bargain!

 

 

What: A gray and blue cotton shirt and brown suade shorts

How much: Shirt 300 baht, shorts 400 baht

Where: Analog, Lido Theatre’s ground floor, Siam Square Soi 3, BTS: Siam. Tel +66 (0)89 540 9290

Explainer: What makes this shirt interesting are its colors, patterns and texture. It's a style we recently saw on the Jil Sander runway, while the pattern, though on the surface quite simple, actually has a bit of a funky twist when you look closely. The shirt is made of cotton, which is great for Bangkok's unpredictable weather.

This matching pair of brown shorts is made of fine fabric you won't find in street market stalls and will give you a bit of a retro look -- reminding some of us of the school uniforms we used to wear when we were kids.

 

What: A long wallet made of plastic sack leftovers

How much: 100 baht

Where: We got this wallet from Soi Susie near Khao San Road but it's also available in the shop/gallery at funky Ari hotel/restaurant Reflections, (1201/1, 1153/14-17 Nakornchaisri Road, BTS: Saphan Kwai. Tel +66 (0)2 619 5311-3.)

Explainer: At around 11pm on Soi Susie, which connects Khao San Road to Soi Rambutree, we found a thin guy selling colorful bags and wallets. This long wallet stood out with its bright blue hue. But what we really like is how it's made out of an old plastic rice sack, with the label still showing.

We bargained him down from 150 baht to 100 baht. This wallet is actually part of an entire collection created by the Reflections brand called "Global Trash Chic." Stylish but eco-friendly.

What: A scarf

How much: 20 baht

Where: Ratchada Weekend Night Market, Ratchada-Ladprao Intersection, Ratchadapisek Road. MRT: Ladprao or Ratchadapisek

Explainer: This plaid scarf looks a lot more expensive than it really is. The market stall we found it at offers different styles and material, from wool to hill-tribe cotton, all for 20 baht each.

We liked this one best as it's easy to match with different styles of clothing. And with Bangkok's recent cool breezes it's coming in handy.

 

 

The verdict: After all that we have a grand total of 940 baht. That leaves 60 baht for a small bottle of beer, making the Bangkok shopping scene a-ok with us.