destinations
Mike visited:

» Thailand
» Myanmar (Burma)
» Laos
» Cambodia
» Vietnam
» India
» Nepal
» Egypt
» Jordan
» Uganda
» Tanzania
» Malawi
» Mozambique
» Swaziland
» South Africa

View a map of his route.



 press/awards
Vagabonding.com earned a few nice mentions in the press, including Forbes.com's vote as best travel blog on the Web. Read about it on the Press/Awards page.

Wholesale Silver Shopping in Bangkok, Thailand

I thought the wholesale jewelry shops in Bangkok would be hidden in the back alleys of Chinatown. It took me a few days to realize that many of the biggest and more affordable shops were right under my nose on Khaosan Road, the notorious epicenter of Bangkok's backpacker scene.

My mission was to pick up $300 worth of wholesale silver bracelets, necklaces, and earrings for my Aunt Sue, who does some sales in Wisconsin. (She couldn't make the trip to Thailand without some serious long distance movers ;) In the process I found my new true calling: jewelry importer extraordinaire.

There are at least 10 silver shops on Khaosan Road, some clearly superior to others. To narrow them down, I targeted shops that seemed popular with serious buyers – I figured they know more than I do.

The next step was to establish the wholesale price. To qualify for wholesale you have to spend around $100; I later learned that an empty promise to spend $100 will suffice. Wholesale price is around $.25 per gram for pure silver pieces, higher for pieces with stones.

As far as which pieces to select, I just let my impeccable taste and eye for craftsmanship guide me.

Seriously, buying all this jewelry was hard work. I spent three hours hemming and hawing over designs, quality, quantity, etc.

In total, I purchased 29 bracelets, 15 earrings, nine necklaces, two pendants, and two rings. Fifty seven pieces of jewelry and a new true calling – not bad for $300.


There are loads of these shops on Khaosan Road.


Jewelry in the shops is sorted in plastic bins.


My haul.
Posted on October 25, 2002 10:04 AM


 


Comments (post your own below)

You'll have to let me know when the "sponsor" page is up and running. I'd like to see what your "impeccable taste and eye for craftsmanship" picks out for this little girl.

Posted by: Angie on October 28, 2002 04:26 PM

Me too - I hope your taste turns out to be as good as your Aunt Sue's!

Posted by: Kris Ann on October 29, 2002 10:14 AM

WE WANT TO MAKE A DEAL TO BUY ABOUT 50 KILLOWGRAM OF SILVER MANUFUCTERD FOR ALL FANTASTIC KIND OF MODELS SO WE HOPPE THAT YOU WILL SEND ACOMPLET PRICELIST AS SOON AS POSSIPLE SO WE CAN ARRANGE A VISIT TO YOU.

Posted by: MOHAMMED SALAMA on December 6, 2002 07:11 PM

I am interested in fionding out about what you found and hoping you would pass some valuable information on to me:)

Posted by: Crystal on December 8, 2002 10:38 AM

I am interested in finding out about your pricelists and catalog.

Posted by: Martha Gomez on December 11, 2002 09:40 PM

great finds when do you start exporting let me know please

Posted by: lyndia on December 22, 2002 09:03 PM

could you let me know when you start your importing idea, im very interested please right back to my email.
thanks and lots of luck!!!

Posted by: frankie on December 30, 2002 06:09 PM

I been buying in BKK for years and if anyone out there wants me to send stuff on to them , or have stuff cast for them , just let me know - I charge 10 percent of total expenditure - and you pay for the courier (UPS is most reliable and cheap) - but it will still be so much cheaper than you could possibly get at home - as for an eye for craftsmanship - well - it is all made by machine, cast and finished , but there is good and bad stuff , I know what sells though!!!
Good Luck

Posted by: chandra on January 2, 2003 08:27 PM

Let me know when you start.
Thank You.

Posted by: Vicki on February 21, 2003 07:24 PM

Great site! I just stumbled upon it! I am interesed in contacts for buying wholesale silver. I have a small party plan business and am looking for a wholesale supplier! I would love to hear from you. Your neighbor in Louisville Kentucky!

Posted by: Tami on April 6, 2003 02:16 PM

I also have a small business and very interested in purchasing for my retail business.

Posted by: Kathy on April 18, 2003 10:58 PM

I am interested in your catalog and price list.

Gold N' Diamonds
6808 North Hamlin
Lincolnwood IL 60712

Thanks
sarah

Posted by: gold n diamonds on May 1, 2003 10:24 PM

I am interseting yours stuff.I need your catalouge and price list.Do you have frist quality marcasite stuff.
what is your discount?
tel:00 90 212 527 31 78
fax:00 90 212 519 41 47
adress:kesecıler street number :60-62-64 grandbazaar
city:ISTANBUL
country:TURKEY

Posted by: yusuf usluer on June 8, 2003 10:51 AM

I do not sell jewelry. This was just a story about buying silver for a family member. If you're looking to buy wholesale, I suggest that you either:

a.) go to Thailand and visit the stores on Khaosan Road
b.) do some searches on Google, locate the stores, and contact them yourself.

Posted by: mike (site owner) on June 9, 2003 05:49 AM

Did you spend $300 as is US dollars? I think you spent too much! I love silver and always get them at the mall here in the Philippines, they are .925 by the way... my favorite store sells earrings for less than $1 to $2 a pair, and the saleswoman said her boss buys them from Bangkok... I'm sure they mark these up at least 100%, so try to talk to other people who buy to find out how to get things cheaper.

Marie

Posted by: Marie on September 29, 2003 08:43 AM

check out http://www.khaosanroad.com/silver.html for more on Khao San Road and silver.

John@KSR

PS - webmaster... would you like to exchange links? Contact me: [email protected]

Posted by: John@KSR on October 10, 2003 10:43 AM

Dear Madam and Sirs
J would like to know somethink about your offer:
--what is price silver rings without/or with stone ( $ per grams)
--what is minimum order in $--silver
-what is price unfinished casting $ per grams.--silver
---discount price
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR CATALOG WITH PHOTOS AND PRICELIST

Posted by: tomasz on November 1, 2003 02:25 PM

I will like to get a catalog or send me an email for me to get some more information about your stores I will love to buy from you.

Posted by: Valerie Quiroz on November 19, 2003 10:38 AM

i will visite bangkok and i want to buy silver jewelry any one have business in silver jewelry please send to me
[email protected]

Posted by: emad al-sherif on November 28, 2003 05:01 PM

I sell Sterling Silver jewelry at wholesale prices. Hope it helps anyone out who is looking to buy.
http://www.wholesalesterlingsilver.shoppingcartsplus.com/page/page/842927.htm

Posted by: JNC Wholesale on December 8, 2003 12:05 AM

Hey Guys!
My younger Sis and her husband have a Silversmith shop way back in my place in Phils...

If you are interested in wholesale, then drop me an email [email protected]

For the designs, you could either give your own desired designs or we could give you a variety of existing designs we have.

We do rings, earrings, chains & pendants, bangles, bracelets, rings and anything made of silver...

Happy new year to all of you out there

Posted by: Silver Boi on January 2, 2004 12:34 AM

i like to no those stores i live in canada an i am in silver but i like only the best mabey i hear from you thank you rina

Posted by: rina van hensbergen on January 8, 2004 01:18 PM

i am interested in a pricelist for wholesale.

Posted by: cissy conklin on January 22, 2004 11:21 AM

I am very interested in getting pricelist.

Posted by: Marna Sudweeks on January 31, 2004 04:10 PM

your website is fantastic. When I visit your website I feel as if I am actually visiting those places with you. When are you going on another adventure?

Posted by: joe on February 2, 2004 07:02 PM

I am looking for a wholesaler for sterling silver and its tough everyone is always out of what we need if you can help or have a price list and catalog please help, THanks!

Posted by: Sherry on February 5, 2004 10:17 AM

I am looking for a wholesaler for sterling silver . You can send me a price list and catalog please help , Thanks !
Valencia - Spain

Posted by: Gabriel Mena on February 13, 2004 12:22 PM

ADEM & SILVER TURKEY

I WANT TO MAKE A DEAL TO BUY ABOUT 50 KILLOWGRAM OF SILVER MANUFUCTERD FOR ALL FANTASTIC KIND OF MODELS SO WE HOPPE THAT YOU WILL SEND ACOMPLET PRICELIST AS SOON AS POSSIPLE SO I CAN ARRANGE A VISIT TO YOU.

ADEM EKER / TURKEY

e-mail:[email protected]

Posted by: ADEM on May 12, 2004 01:53 PM

I am looking for a wholesaler for sterling silver . You can send me a price list and catalog please
e-mail [email protected]

Posted by: hiro on May 13, 2004 03:01 AM

I too would be very interested in a wholesale silver jewelry catalog. Please email me.

Posted by: Julie on May 26, 2004 05:29 AM

I also bought some great silver jewelry from India. The prices were equal or better, but the gem stone work was very beautiful. I remember their web site name:
http://www.shauryainternational.com

Posted by: Lisa on May 27, 2004 05:23 AM

Can I purchase wholesale from you?? Look forward to hearing from you.

Posted by: Carol on June 20, 2004 09:55 AM

I would be interested in a wholesales jewelry, kindly please e-mail me your catolog & price list.

Posted by: allison on June 28, 2004 06:31 AM

i am intrested in buying from you,how can i do that?

Posted by: julia on July 1, 2004 01:41 PM

Please kindly advise me on what merchandise to buy and sell from BKK. I mean fast moving things that spins cash
Plese also send a me catalogue for clothes that I may consider importing from BKK
rgds

Posted by: Herman Mangope on July 6, 2004 08:17 AM

i whould be interested in wholesale jewelry Kindly please email me you cataloge end price list thank you
alda

Posted by: alda on July 14, 2004 07:11 PM

Please post me your catalogue with price list
my address is -
Queensland Chains
PO Box 285
Labrador qld 4215
Australia

Posted by: elizabeth alwast on August 16, 2004 08:24 PM

Please send me your catalogue and price list for your silver jewelery 925 ASAP for wholesale purposes.
Thank you

Posted by: Murugi on August 23, 2004 05:24 AM

Hi my name is cary im intrested in bying silver wholesale.... i if you can send me eny catologs of information please e-mail at [email protected]
or send me a catolg or pics to
cary martinez
3210 perry ave apt 3d
bronx, ny 10467


thanx!

Posted by: CARY on August 27, 2004 02:16 PM

Hi, I like your website!
For the information of anyone interested in buying silver jewellery at wholesale prices, I will be visiting and travelling around Thailand in november of this year for a few months and will buying silver jewellery for resale and distribution. If you are interested don't hesitate to contact me at the mentioned email address and I will be in touch with you.

Cheers!

Posted by: Aaron on September 2, 2004 08:44 PM

My address to go with the message posted above is

[email protected]

Cheers!

Posted by: Aaron on September 2, 2004 08:46 PM

DEAR SIR,
WE ARE INTERESTED FOR SILVER SO PLEASE TELL US DO YOU WORK WITH SOMEBODY FROM YUGOSLAVIA.
AND WHEN IS FAIR IN BANGKOK TO VISIT YOU.
AWAITING YOUR REPLY.
B\R ESKO

Posted by: ESKO DERVANOVIC on September 6, 2004 03:04 AM

i am intrested in a pricelist and catalog

Posted by: phyllisryan on September 21, 2004 10:46 AM

I am very interested in getting a catalog and price list from you. Thanks!

Posted by: Andrea on September 26, 2004 08:46 PM

PLEASE CONTACT ME I'M INTERESTED IN CATOLAG AND A PRICE LIST.THANKS

Posted by: MARY HAMM on October 6, 2004 02:50 PM

i am very intrested to buy silver form you. can you send me your catologue and price list. and is it possible for you to send it to dubai ???

hoping for your quick response.

Phone no. 971-50-3589668

Posted by: Suzan Sultan on October 19, 2004 02:28 AM

Dear Sirs,
we are looking for plain silver rings and silver rings with one stone in reasonabale prices per kg
All sizes also bigger sizes
(Nothing oxided or with black or band rings)
Regards
Sheikh

Posted by: sheikh usman on October 20, 2004 09:30 AM

Please send me some information on wholesalesilver

Posted by: Kay Tilson on October 26, 2004 12:53 PM

I would like to get your catalog and price list.Thanks.

Posted by: Lynette Ray on October 26, 2004 02:52 PM

Hi stumbled on this site by accident. I have a small UK jewellery retailing business and would love to start some Thai silver off. Are you still trading, if so could I have prices etc. Julia

Posted by: Julia Clark on November 9, 2004 08:04 AM

dear sirs,
the singel stone silver rings are our immediat need.
we are looking for rings with 1/2
karet cz stones or topaz in all sizes
regards
sheikh

Posted by: sheikh usman on November 20, 2004 06:19 AM

Comments closed.


 

home | travelogue | gallery | about

 

 favorite videos



 favorite photos



 latest travelogue entries
» 
» 
» 
» 

» travelogue archive