Chon Buri is a coastal province on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, best known for the resort city of Pattaya and its string of sun-drenched beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. The province blends vibrant beach tourism with industrial heritage, traditional fishing villages, and lush tropical landscapes just 80 km from Bangkok.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Thai Silk Scarf
Hand-woven Thai silk scarves and sarongs in vivid colors, available in various weave patterns from the northeast of Thailand. Sold at markets and boutique shops throughout Pattaya.
Price: $8–40
Where: Pattaya Night Bazaar, Central Festival mall, Thai Silk shops on 2nd Road
Benjarong Porcelain
Exquisite five-colored traditional Thai porcelain handpainted with intricate floral and mythological patterns — a royal art form unique to Thailand.
Price: $15–80
Where: Central Festival Pattaya, Thai craft shops in Pattaya Floating Market
Hand-carved Elephant Figurines
Wooden elephant sculptures in various sizes from pocket-sized good-luck charms to large decorative pieces, often carved from teak or rain tree wood.
Price: $3–60
Where: Thepprasit Night Market, Pattaya Night Bazaar, Floating Market
Dried Seafood & Shrimp Paste
Chon Buri's famous fermented shrimp paste (kapi) and dried squid are beloved local products unique to the Gulf coast — perfect edible souvenirs.
Price: $2–12
Where: Nong Mon Market (Chon Buri city), Na Kluea market, Bang Saen seafront stalls
Thai Herbal Products
Lemongrass scrubs, coconut oil, tamarind soap and traditional herbal balms make excellent wellness souvenirs packaged attractively for travel.
Price: $4–20
Where: Boots pharmacy, Health Land, spa boutiques throughout Pattaya
Silver Hill Tribe Jewelry
Handcrafted sterling silver jewelry made by northern Thai hill tribe artisans — rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings in traditional geometric patterns.
Price: $5–50
Where: Pattaya Night Bazaar, weekend markets, Floating Market craft stalls
Woven Rattan & Bamboo Baskets
Handwoven baskets, trays and storage items in traditional Thai-Isaan patterns — practical and beautiful home décor items unique to Thailand.
Price: $5–35
Where: Thepprasit Night Market, Central Festival, local handicraft stalls
Chon Buri Tamarind Sweets
Sweet-sour tamarind candy dusted with sugar or chili powder is a Chon Buri specialty widely distributed across Thailand — the perfect edible souvenir.
Price: $1–5
Where: Nong Mon Market, 7-Eleven, Central Festival, airport departure lounge
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Thepprasit Night Market
Pattaya's largest and most authentic night market with 200+ stalls selling street food, clothing, handicrafts, electronics and fresh produce at local prices. Strongly preferred over tourist-facing markets.
Where: Thepprasit Road, South Pattaya
Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM Fri–Sun
Pattaya Night Bazaar
An indoor-outdoor market spanning several blocks with souvenir shops, clothing stalls, a large food court and bargain hunting opportunities. More tourist-oriented than Thepprasit.
Where: Pattaya 2nd Road, Central Pattaya
Hours: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Jomtien Complex Night Market
A smaller, more relaxed night market near Jomtien Beach with food stalls, clothing and household goods — popular with longer-stay visitors and expats.
Where: Jomtien Beach Road, Jomtien
Hours: 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Nong Mon Market
A massive fresh market in Chon Buri city, beloved by Bangkok day-trippers for exceptional fresh seafood, regional preserved foods, tamarind sweets, tropical fruit and local handicrafts at the lowest prices.
Where: Mueang Chon Buri District, Chon Buri City
Hours: Sat–Sun 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM; weekdays 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pattaya Floating Market
A themed market over water showcasing goods and foods from Thailand's four regions, with wooden walkways over canals and cultural performances.
Where: South Pattaya Road, Pattaya
Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Pattaya Beach Road & 2nd Road
The primary shopping corridors with souvenir shops, tailors, international brands, pharmacies and convenience stores stretching along the beachfront and one street inland.
Best for: Souvenirs, tailoring, pharmacies, 24-hour convenience
Soi Buakhao
A long street with Thai-priced clothing shops, appliance stores, local restaurants and expat-oriented businesses — good for practical shopping at local rates.
Best for: Budget clothing, everyday goods at Thai prices
Sukhumvit Road (Pattaya–Bangkok Highway)
The main Sukhumvit highway through Chon Buri has large Thai supermarkets, home goods stores, car dealerships and the Tesco Lotus and Big C hypermarkets.
Best for: Grocery shopping, household goods, large items
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Central Festival Pattaya Beach
Pattaya's premier shopping mall on the beachfront with international brands, a large food court, cinema, supermarket and regular events. The most complete retail experience in Chon Buri.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Royal Garden Plaza
A mid-sized mall on the beachfront housing Ripley's Believe It or Not, Wax Museum, restaurants and international brand shops in a convenient central location.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
Terminal 21 Pattaya
Airport terminal-themed mega-mall in Central Pattaya with floor-per-city theming, diverse dining, cinema, fashion brands and a large food court popular with Thai shoppers.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
Big C Pattaya
Thailand's popular hypermarket chain with an enormous supermarket, clothing, electronics and affordable Thai-brand products. Best for groceries and everyday items at local prices.
Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Lotus's (Tesco) Pattaya
Large supermarket with extensive Thai and imported grocery selection, pharmacy, clothing and electronics. Several locations throughout Pattaya.
Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected at open-air markets and with street vendors — fixed prices apply at malls and shops with price tags
Start at 50-60% of the asking price and work toward a middle ground
Always be polite and smile — aggressive bargaining will offend sellers and fail
Walking away often brings a better offer — this technique works well at Thepprasit market
Buy multiple items from one seller and ask for a bundle discount
Tailor-made suits: get multiple quotes and clarify fabric quality upfront
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and Buddha images over 100 years old require export permits; check with the Fine Arts Department before purchasing
Tax Refund: VAT refund (7%) available at participating shops on purchases over 5,000 THB per receipt; collect forms in-store and claim at the airport departure hall
Duty Free: Duty-free allowances: 1 liter alcohol, 200 cigarettes, gifts valued under 20,000 THB
Shipping: International shipping services available at Central Festival and major hotels; EMS Thailand Post reliable for small parcels