MBK mall will be your best bet for the LV bags. They may not be out in plain view at the stalls that sell copy bags. They also sell suitcases (and the suitcases are FULL of other copy bags), so just ASK if they have LV. You will see a few out on display. Check the bag(s) because there are levels of quality. It depends on how much you want to spend.

I also have a narrow foot, but that doesn't make it any easier to by the really cute shoes that you will see! Asian sizes are smaller than western sizes in general. Same with shoes. If you go to a more traditional mall, such as Paragon or Central World, or the Central Chitlom Department store, you can find western brands and western sizes in shoes. But the really cute cheap ones at places like Platinum Fashion Mall... those will most likely be too short for your foot. But if you are a size 5 to 7, you might get lucky.

my wife has really good luck with shoes at platinum.. many are too narrow for her, so you should be in luck.. they use a european sizing structure.. she also finds huge differences in size from one style to another..

copy bags are all over the place... often you will be asked to follow a salesman/woman to a warehouse nearby---i would not go alone, but with someone else you should be ok.

look on the nancy chandler map for the monk bowl alley---best to go mid-morning... when we went last november in the PM, they were pretty much closed up...

IMO the "fakes" in Thailand are not that great and are highly distinguishable. The better quality fakes and readily available ones are at border towns like Tachilek in Myanmar.

that man knows his fakes

Bob rest assure that the gold Rolex watch that I gave you at our last gtg is real!

i do know that as i pawned it immediately....

Hanuman we are not going to Myanmar so what would be the second best place. For the teenagers I would buy small purses and would spend about $100 to $150

The noon market in Silom has expensive copies of excellent quality. I went into a basement shopping complex and found a superior Chanel for someone else. I cannot however explain how to find this basement shopping place. I am not sure they have any LV here.

The main thing about LV bags is that the LV logo is never found stitched within the seam of a real bag. All the copies I have seen have logos stitched in a seam somewhere. An obvious fake to anyone who "knows" the real product! This may or may not bother your granddaughters. If you find a bag without any logos stitched into a seam, I would be very curious to know where.

Hmmmmm- LV bags- they are everywhere so much so that I'm surprised they are still in demand. Better to go for Chanel- get something different that every other person isn't carrying around.
On the shoe issue- my wife is a size 5 1/2 and had trouble finding her size in Bangkok. Yes they had a few styes but it struck us that although the Thai women are petite it seems their feet are not based on the shoe sizes we found in the stores!
Hanuman- gee I guess you forgot my Rolex when we last met a few years back- no problem just mail it and all is forgiven!

I wouldn't count on finding shoes that fit you...

The LV bags that are on the street are NOT the best quality. Those at MBK are better, and they are often stowed away in the myriad suitcases that the vendors also sell, along w/copy bags.

The leather in the Jimmy Choo and Mulberry bags is really soft and supple. You will see loads of these hanging at the various vendor stalls.

Your grand daughters probably are not that picky about the LV logo issue, so they will probably be happy with whatever you find at MBK. Always work the zippers! Check the stitching on any pockets, inside and outside of the bag, for holes!!

I'd leave the fake LVs in Bangkok. Plus, I don't know what L.A. customs might do if you get caught bringing a fake back.

As for the monk bowl, the monk-bowl alley is on the Nancy Chandler map. I had Tong drive my friend and me there as I figured why not? That way I didn't have to have my Thai friend take me there on another day as it was a bit tricky to find.

The monk-bowl place is in a small area in a back alley and the flames are flying as the monk bowls are being hammered out. They aren't cheap though. I got mine bargained down to the equivalent of $100. back in either December 2006 or 2007 and when the dollar was high. If I could find my detailed journal, I could tell you the exact year and price in Thai baht. But, I was half packed to go on vacation to Bangkok for 29 days when I had a parent medical emergency, so having just gotten back from 3 weeks of that situation, the Bangkok packing is all over the place as is the packing from flying to the emergency situation. I'm supposed to be in BKK right now. So, much for that trip. I've only been back home in L.A. for 3 days now.

If I come across my detailed travel journal, in the piles of packed and half-packed Bangkok stuff, then I'll look it up and post the information. I know the journal is packed somewhere as I read it before packing. I write down everything in detail, along with prices and exchange rates.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai, where do you live in LA. We are in Sherman Oaks

our friend bought a bowl this november in the alley for about $30-40... we paid $20 for our medium sized bowl a few years ago..

my wife wears 5.5-6.0 medium and finds tons of cheap shoes... i think the count this year was about 12 pair... they are flats, some leather, some cloth...many with seaguins, fake jewels, etc... many she tries on are too narrow..

they have crazy heals of all sorts..

heels, that is..

"ladyrep on Jan 28, 13 at 4:26pm
Guenmai, where do you live in LA. We are in Sherman Oaks"

Basically a Pasadenean.

Happy Travels!

Ladyrep: When you're with your guide, have her bargain the monk bowl. Tong did the bargaining of mine since she speaks Thai. The first price I was quoted I wasn't going to pay and walked away. Then the bargaining started. I'm fine with the one that I got as it's very beautiful and heavy and I like the sturdy pedestal that it rests on. Not one earthquake has knocked it off its pedestal yet.

Happy Travels!

Ladyrep: Here's an interesting article on monk bowls, from 2010, that you might enjoy reading. I'd love to by a second one.

http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/play/bangkoks-alms-bowl-artisans-841216

Happy Travels!

Correction: "buy", not "by". I need sleep. Smiles.

Happy Travels!

While just unpacking the Bangkok stuff, I found my journals under the piles of stuff. This info might be useful to you.

The monk bowl place that I went to was:

Mayuree Serseesern
84/5 Soi Ban-Bat
Boripat Road/Promprab,Bangkok
Tel:089-002-5931 or 081-735-0049

The year that I bought it was 2007. I'm typing straight from my journal page. The asking price for the one that I bought was 5,000 baht. I paid 3,000 baht, so a little under $100. The exchange rate during the three weeks that I was there was in the range of 33.23-33.50 baht to a dollar, according to what I have recorded. I thought it was around 34.5. However, I also noticed in my journal that I was also in Bangkok in August/September of 2007 when the baht was higher and over 34.

Have fun in Bangkok!

Happy Travels!

In Bangkok you want to buy jewelry! I don't really understand the wanting to buy fake handbags....if you can't afford the real thing why do you want to make people think you can?

The copy bag desire is, I believe, age (and peer) related. You'd be surprised at how many people are buying them at MBK. I am assuming the teen-aged grand daughters are specifically asking for them. A lot of the shoppers I see looking at them at MBK are in their teens/20s. What they are buying is not so much LV though.

Jewelry in Bangkok? Sure. All prices, some very cheap bling, some gem stones, jade, rubies, sapphires, etc. but jewelry is harder to buy for someone else (especially a teen aged girl). Jewelry makes a nice souvenir if you get to pick it out (even create your own setting) for yourself. I have a very hard time picking out jewelry for friends who ask me to try to find something for them. There are some really great looking cheap bling earrings at Platinum Fashion Mall, on the 5th floor in particular.

I hear you I just don't get it. I only buy bags and jewelry that I can afford. SJ International is the place I head to when in Bangkok. I first learned of them through Kathie and they haven't steered me wrong!
The next trip though I am going to head to Chanthaburi. My partner's parents are from Thailand and they have a gem market there every Thursday... can't wait!

simpsonc10
You are correct the granddaughters have asked for small LV purses to use when they go out and want something small. For me I had an LV bag I bought in the late 80's at LV in Paris while my DH sat with the other men. It did last a lifetime until it was stolen from my cart at Costco last year. So sad. If I want another I will buy a real one not a copy. It is really hard to buy for 16 and 17 year olds. I rarely get it right anymore. This at least gives me some guidance.

jm1971 Regarding SJ international I looked at their website and did not see anything exceptional. How does it work with them? Do you purchase stones and they suggest settings. If I want to buy earrings for a 11-16-and 18 year old, what should I expect to spend. The almost 18 is graduating from HS this year.

I am not a great shopper and need to have something to focus on, not just browse

ladyrep: You don't go by SJ's website, you need to call them, have them send a car for you, and when you get there ask for Lily, and then have her pull out the trays of goods out.

I've gotten all of my serious Bangkok jewelry there (yellow sapphires, rubies, and diamonds). That's what I bought in necklaces, earrings, and tennis-style bracelets. I also once took in some gorgeous lose stones that a friend had bought in South America and designed with the designer there some earrings. They were set in white gold and made into drop earrings that were beyond gorgeous. I think it cost around $150. for the job. When I got home, my friend was more than pleased with them and wore them proudly.

Happy Travels!

Correction: Delete the second "out".

Happy Travels!

1ladyrep. do your grand daughters have pierced ears? If so, I'll bet you could buy them some great bling earrings as well as the small LV bags. I too have three real LVs, the first one dates back to the early 80s and still holds up great! I am a purse nut, and have many. Anyway, the best place to buy bling is on the 5th floor at Platinum Fashion Mall... A great place to shop, especially for teens! A particular favorite store of mine is called coco banana.

simpsonc510 thanks so much. Yes they now all have pierced earrings since the last one had them done as a holiday present. Is the bling at Flatinum Fashion Mall costume jewelry? I would like to get each of them something real and simple plus the bling. I guess you would say I spoil them, which is my pleasure.

Absolutely it is simple costume jewelry. You might have to pay up to $5-10 for a pair but many are less. I get compliments on my cheap bling earrings all the time. Today I am wearing a new favorite dangly gold tone pair that has a dangling Eifel Tower and hearts and 5's like Chanel #5. They are lovely... Really lovely. They cost maybe $6-7. Sorry to say these are all sold out. I have friends who would love their own pair....but alas there are no more. Inventory at Coco Banana changes all the time. I went there three times on my December holiday trip and bought 'new' stuff everytime!!

FYI There are two Platinum Fashion Mall buildings located side by side, and the larger one of the two has jewelry on the 5th floor. The smaller of the two buildings has the cute shoes you might get lucky and be able to fit into. Floors 3, 4,and 5 are all about shoes and some really cute purses..... Most are NOT copy bags, but cute cute cute and very reasonably priced.

By the way, at Platinum you are able to buy ay wholesale price IF you buy at least three items from a vendor.

you can buy them some simple gold (18K) balls for less than $100, or some small semi precious studs for less or some sapphires for about the same..

Right now the bling is hip. You will see it in jewelry, on small bags, and also on shoes. And it is cheap.

Get the tiny gold studs if the girls have multiple piercings around their ear lobes. If they have single piercings then I'd go with dangling bling! They are teens after all......

Carol

Gumeui
Hi what is "serious Bangkok" jewelry ?

I consider my "serious" Bangkok jewelry as non-costume jewelry.

Happy Travels!

Ladyrep: Besides SJ, I have also done years of regular jewelry shopping at January Boutique. They have great jewelry designs made of mostly so-called semi-precious stones. When I wear any of my necklaces bought at January Boutique, there is a lot of notice at events that I attend. People always come up to me and ask where I got the pieces.

Here's the thread where I give information on January Boutique. I don't know if they have a website. I've tried to google for one.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/semi-precious-jewelry-in-bangkok.cfm

Happy Travels!

Where is it located, guenmai?

OK I just looked at your link. It is from 2007, so maybe outdated. I never (hardly ever) go down to the river anymore, and have been to Oriental Place only once, many years ago when I was staying at the Oriental. If someone is in that neighborhood on a BKK trip maybe they could report in. I do like the unusual. A Thai friend has given me at least two very unique necklaces....maybe from there??

In the OP Arcade, but not on the ground floor. On the ground floor is Cotton House where I have my clothes made. January is a floor up.

Happy Travels!

guenmai, aren't you heading to BKK sometime soon, or did you have to cancel? If you are heading there, please give us a report on your jewelry store! And have a great time!!!

Carol: I was at the January Boutique the last time I was in Bangkok in November 2009. I had planned to drop by there on this trip that sadly had to be canceled. The boutiques have been around for years. The place is owned by two sisters. I've met them both and talked to them many times. Whenever I run into them, it's always been at their January Boutique in Rivercity, but the selection that I like the best has always been at the OP Arcade location. Simply beautiful. It reminds me of Jaan Boutique in Rivercity, but a lot less expensive.

Remember when we were at Saks in Boston, GTG weekend, and they had that special exhibit displaying jewelry that I immediately identified as coming out of Thailand? Well, that looked like it could have been January's jewelry. I remember the sisters saying that they ship all over. They told me that they have the design studio and workers working at their house, so that they can keep up on quality control. At Saks those pieces were $400-$800, in 2007, when the same year I had bought my friend an incredible necklace at January in Bangkok for $250.

I also seldom go to the river area, but I do hop the river taxi and get off at the Oriental Hotel stop to both have my clothes made at Cotton House and go to the January Boutique since they are in the same arcade. That's one way of knocking out two birds with one stone.

Happy Travels!

guenmai, I'm am soooo sorry you've had to cancel again!!! It just isn't fair... life, that is.... sometimes. Can you reschedule for APRIL when I'll be back there again???

I'm going to make sure I get to your jewelry store on my next trip!

Carol

"simpsonc510 on Feb 1, 13 at 8:57am
guenmai, aren't you heading to BKK sometime soon, or did you have to cancel? If you are heading there, please give us a report on your jewelry store! And have a great time!!!"

Carol, I was supposed to be there now. I was supposed to have left home on Jan 10th and returned home on Feb 10th. But, a parent medical emergency took place and I had to cancel and fly off to the parent. I've only been home a week now. Long story that I don't want to get into on a forum.

Happy Travels!

"simpsonc510 on Feb 1, 13 at 9:04am
guenmai, I'm am soooo sorry you've had to cancel again!!! It just isn't fair... life, that is.... sometimes. Can you reschedule for APRIL when I'll be back there again???"

No, I can't reschedule for April. I'm in the middle of a crisis. Plus, I still work part-time although 7 months, early-retired from my regular job. Plus, if I could even get away, it would be Paris in April as that's where I'm used to going then.

Happy Travels!