Silk & Cotton: Thai hand-woven silks are already well known around the world thanks to Jim Thompson, the Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and the many small factories that support the continuing existence of traditional weaving and dyeing techniques. Thai silk is dyed in an astounding range of colours and a variety of weaves, widths and textures suitable for everything from glamorous evening gowns and stoles to stylish men’s shirts and scarves, quilts, curtains and cushions.

Homespun cotton, light and comfortable has been an ideal material for clothing in warm climates since the first civilisations. Thai cotton naturally dyed in a brilliant variety of colours is beginning to rival silk in its worldwide popularity, and makes a wonderful range of home furnishings, bedspreads, throw rugs and napkins. Hand-made bags in traditional and contemporary designs from the North of Thailand are a popular buy, and woven Thai hemp cloth with its linen-like texture is a fashion trend to watch.

Gems & Jewellery: The skill and craftsmanship of local designers, have made Thailand one of the world’s leading exporters of jewellery. Gem centres in Bangkok offer Thailand’s own rubies and sapphires and imported gems expertly cut and fashioned into high-quality jewellery. Thailand’s distinctive 24-carat gold, available in the many gold shops traditionally decorated in red and white, is prized for its unique colour and style. More modern designs can be found in standalone shops within major department stores. Bangkok’s gem district is in Silom and Surawong roads and Charoen Krung (New Road) and there are numerous shops in the multi-storey Jewellery Trade Centre and Silom Galleria, both on Silom Road.

To ensure buyers of fair prices and value for money, the Thai Gems & Jewelry Traders Association and the Tourism Authority of Thailand formed the Jewel Fest Club, a non-profit organisation whose members offer quality products at reasonable prices with a money back guarantee if shoppers are not satisfied with their purchase. When buying jewellery, it is always advisable to look for shops with the JFC emblem.

• Jewel Fest Club, Jewellery Trade Centre, 52nd floor, Silom Road, Bangkok 10500. Tel: 0 2630 1390-7 ext 125. Fax: 0 2630 1398-9. jewelfestclub@ jewelfest.com or tgjta@mozart.inet.co. th. www.thaigemjewelry.or.th. For complaints concerning purchases of gems and jewellery, please contact the Tourist Police Division. Tel: 1155 or Tel: 0 2281 5051 (662 281 5051 from outside Thailand).

OTOP Products: OTOP stands for One Tambon One Product, a government scheme whereby handicrafts made by village communities (tambon) can be marketed and sold to improve the community’s income. OTOP products are those items made traditionally in a specific area or village representing local craft traditions. They may be pottery, furniture, cotton or silk garments, fashion accessories, household items practical and decorative and many other articles indigenous to each community. The essential ingredient is they are all handmade with skill, and reflect the uniqueness of their localities. OTOP products are now firmly present in the both the domestic and international marketplace, and the OTOP logo is recognised as a symbol of quality.

At present, there are more than 8,000 products in the OTOP special collections category. They include brass, silver and lacquer, woodcarvings, pottery and porcelain, leather goods, woven bamboo and rattan baskets handwoven fabrics, artificial flowers, dolls and khon masks, scented candles, mulberry and pineapple paper products, model boats and many more.

• The main Bangkok OTOP shop is at the Thailand Export Mart Building, 6th floor, Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok 10900. Tel: (662) 511 5279-84. Fax: (662) 511 5081. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays, For more information, visit www.thaitambon. com/otopcollections.

VAT REFUNDS

Many stores provide overseas visitors with VAT Refund forms for purchases they have made before leaving the country. Purchases must cost a minimum of 5,000 baht, and refunds can be claimed at Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket international airports.

On the day you make the purchase, present your passport and ask the sales assistant at the store to complete the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form (P.P.10) and attach the original tax invoices to the form. Each P.P.10 form must show a value of 2,000 baht or more. Before departure, present the goods you have purchased and submit the form and original tax invoices to the Customs officers for inspection before check-in.

Valuable goods such as jewellery, gold ornaments, watches, glasses, or pens must be once more inspected by the Revenue officers at the VAT Refund Office in the airport departure lounge after passport control. In case of a refund by bank draft or credit to a credit card account, you can either present your claim to Revenue officers or drop it into the box at the Refund counter or send it from your country of residence to the Revenue Department of Thailand.

Allow adequate time at the airport for the refund process. If you do not receive a response to your request for refund by draft or credit to credit card account within an appropriate period of time, please contact the VAT Refund office at Bangkok International Airport.

• For more information, visit www.rd.go.th/vrt or phone 0-2535 6576 79, 0-2272 8195 8; fax: 0- 2617 3559; or vrefund@pasi.rd.go.th. Information can also be obtained from the participating stores.