The Complete Guide To Online Shopping In Thailand

Shopping in Thailand can be frustrating for a foreigner.

Western products and brands are inevitably harder to find than back home (and occasionally totally absent), customer service is strained across the language barrier, and prices can be both insanely cheap and hilariously expensive (we’re looking at you, bell peppers) compared to what you’re used to.

But if you dread the thought of a Sunday afternoon grocery shop at Big C, traipsing around Pantip Plaza for electronics or searching high and low for western-size clothes at the market, there’s a solution: online shopping.

E-commerce is expanding rapidly throughout Southeast Asia and the Thai fervour for anything and everything brandable and cute means that online shopping in Thailand is charging forward at a racehorse pace.

There are a huge number of online shopping portals serving the country: we’ve brought together and summarised the offerings of the biggest, the easiest to use and — crucially — those that can be navigated in English. We’ve also added our own comments to a few of them where we’ve had experience as users.

General Shopping Portals

AliExpress

AliExpress is the huge consumer retail arm of e-commerce giant AliBaba, and rivals, if not overtakes, Lazada and Amazon for its huge product range and number of suppliers.

Product categories range from electronics to watches to home and garden, to sports and outdoors, to cars and home improvements, to fashion, health and beauty and kids.

Sales and promotions and regular while payment is available via Visa, Mastercard, Western Union, Maestro, WebMoney and bank transfer. They offer full buyer protection, an app, and a 24/7 help center for all buyers, as well as worldwide delivery.

They have a dedicated Thai site as well as the global site, which is in English and pre-directed to ship to Thailand.

If, like many expats, you are looking for the closest thing to an ‘Amazon Replacement’, AliExpress is a great place to start. It stocks just about everything.

Lazada

Lazada.com is a huge e-commerce company, and another vying to become the Southeast Asian equivalent to Amazon.

There’s not a lot that you can’t buy here, with products stretching across categories including electronics, fashion, homeware, children, health and beauty, motors, sports and travel. You can search via category or by brand, and they have regularly rotating highlight reels and sales.

When it comes to payment, they offer 100% buyer protection and the option to pay in cash on delivery, with a credit or debit card, via Paypal, over the counter, by ATM, by online banking, via LINE and with K-Bank installments. They offer economy, standard and express shipping.

Our experience: We buy plenty of products from Lazada and generally get a lot of value from the site. Our one niggle is that items within the same order from different vendors are delivered separately, which can get annoying when you have multiple deliveries per day. We’d love to see a logistical solution whereby you could choose to have everything delivered together, even if delivery would be marginally delayed.

Central

Central is one of Thailand’s biggest department store chains and they’ve backed this up with a comprehensive and easy-to-use online shopping portal that’s one of the biggest and most popular in the country.

Buying categories sweep across fashion, jewellery, beauty, tools, pets, homeware, sports, hobbies, gifts, books, office ware, toys, electronics and even an online supermarket. Again, you can browse by category or brand and they also offer some online exclusives, like Marks & Spencer London and Sanrio products.

For payment, they offer cash on delivery, credit or debit payment, Paysbuy system payment or via the SCB Payment Gateway. Delivery is available nationwide and they also operate a click and collect scheme for those who’d prefer a pick-up service.

King Power

King Power is the mega duty free shopping provider that dominates Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports. Their online shopping portal offers both duty free and non-duty free items for sale — while non-duty free products are delivered by home delivery, you will have to collect duty-free items purchased at the airport prior to departing Thailand.

They have a daily deals section and often significant discounts offered when you spend over a certain amount online. You can shop by category, brand and according to whether you’re looking for duty free products or not.

They currently offer payment by Visa, Mastercard and Union Pay, and are looking into supporting AliPay and Paypal payments in future.

Amazon

Amazon hasn’t got quite the same footprint in Thailand as it does in the West and you’ll likely come up against a few hurdles as you search for products that can be delivered to Thailand.

Thankfully, you are able to search with the option to only show the products which are able to be shipped to Thailand (just scroll down the left hand side and tick “Ship to Thailand” in the Refine by section), and you’ll probably be surprised at the wide selection available. Remember to check delivery times and cost estimates!

They have daily deals and a huge section for second hand and used goods as well as their huge market of new products.

Galleon

Galleon is a lesser-known but still far-ranging online retail store which is popular for offering products not normally available in Thailand, or at least those hard to find.

Their categories range from fashion to electronics to homeware, tool, cars, to instruments, office supplies, books, kids and baby supplies, with a total of over 200 million products.

As you might expect for a company sourcing products outside of the country, delivery is comparatively slower than purely local companies, clocking in at between 10 to 15 business days. Thankfully, all checkout prices come inclusive of shipping, customs fees and taxes due.

Payment is available through Paypal, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards via Paysbuy.

itruemart by WeMall

itruemart is another large and in charge online shopping portal with a marginally smaller product selection than some of its competitors. It does have some fantastic deals across its store, however, and ranges across the electronics, home appliances, beauty & health, and ‘Mom & kids’ categories.

You can pay in instalments, via credit card, with Wallet by TrueMoney, over the counter and with cash on delivery. They have a 100% brand guarantee and offer free delivery.

It’s worth noting that we were unable to access the English language versions of their return, refund and delivery policies.

Fashion

Looksi

Looksi, formerly known as Zalora, is a huge online shopping portal dedicated to everything fashion, including clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and sportswear, for both men and women.

You can search by category, gender and brand — and even get access to their exclusive in-house brands — as well as take advantage of their regular sales, lookbooks and daily new arrivals. You can also pre-order products, many of which are imported from overseas.

They also have the Looksi app, which offers 15% off.

They deliver all over Thailand, have an express delivery option and a 30-day free return period. Payment is either online or cash on delivery.

Our experience: Like Lazada, items in the same order from different vendors are delivered separately, which can be frustrating. Also, the Returns slip is totally in Thai script and requires to be fully filled out and returned prior to a refund being given.

Wear You Want

Wear You Want is another online fashion portal — and apparently Thailand’s largest online fashion community — with a huge product listing across hundreds of international brands and labels, as well as some local Thai independents.

They have sections for men, women and kids, and a fashion-forward blog full of tips and advice for online shoppers. You can sign up to their newsletter to be alerted to their many flash sales — there’s one at the moment for 500 baht off Ray-Ban products right now, for instance.

Shipping is free for orders over 590 baht and they offer a cash on delivery option, as well as payment by credit and debit card, and Paypal. 14 days are allowed for returns.

Electronics

Power Buy

Power Buy is Thailand’s largest electronic retailer and the franchise you’re most likely to spot in Emporium and Siam Paragon.

They stock electronics across a range of categories, from cameras to mobiles, kitchen ware, wearables, laptops and much more, and from a variety of international brands.

You can pay cash on delivery (providing the order is below 100,000 baht and the item weighs below 10 kg), with credit or debit card or via bank transfer.

Delivery is free and within 3 to 14 days for small items. Major appliances over 10 kg or requiring installation are free in Bangkok on orders over 3,000 baht, while cheaper orders and those for delivery outside zone 1 are priced accordingly.

InvadeIT

InvadeIT is an electronics web store offering attractive prices with good customer service and quick delivery, based out of Hua Hin.

Their product categories range from laptops and PCS, tablets and smartphones to computer hardware, software, peripherals, networking, printers and scanners, as well as general electronic items and consumables.

Shipping costs vary according to which method of delivery you choose, but they endeavour to ship all in-stock items on the day of ordering (before 4pm).

Payment options are by Mastercard, Visa, Paypal or bank transfer.

Jedi Cool

Jedi have a physical shop in the IT Palladium in Pantip Plaza and also operate this online shop of overclock and modding accessories.

Retail categories include LED strips, coolers, memory accessories, fan controllers, thermaltake sleeve cables, e-sports gaming and much more.

The ordering process is a little old-fashioned, requiring you to place your order by email or over the phone and confirming payment that way too.

Compute and More

Compute and More is another specialist store selling overclock and modding accessories, with an actual retail store located in Palladium World in Ratchathewi.

Products range from harddisks and mainboards to Logitech gaming, power supplies, gaming chairs and much more. They have a hot sale and clearance sale section on their site, as well as a place for new arrivals.

Orders can be placed by email or over the phone while payment is by bank transfer.

Zest

Zest are an online electronics store specializing in the gaming niche, with gear, notebooks, hardware, accessories, software and digital download all available for buying on their website. They also have plenty of promotional and sales items up for grabs.

We couldn’t access the payment or delivery information in English on their website, but it looks as though they support payment by credit and debit card, bank transfer, Rabbit LINE Pay, 7-Eleven and Family Mart.

The site didn’t have an HTTPS certificate when we accessed it.

TK com 99

This is another niche electronics store selling accessories and cooling systems. Much like Jedi Cool, orders must be placed either by email or over the phone while it looks like payment is by bank transfer.

Product categories include CPU coolers, function panels, M/B sockets, graphic cards, sound cards, monitors and gaming gear.

Sourcer Plus

Sourcer Plus are a custom importer in the electronics niche, specialising in hard to find and high quality products. They have a limited quantity of stock and seem to import by order.

Their product list is long with categories across the electrical market but generally focused on computer parts, accessories and gaming.

Although they do have an English language option on their website — and the product listing pages are in English — the ‘how to order’ pages and the like are in Thai script. It looks to be relatively easy to use, however, with an online shopping cart and payment available by credit and debit card, bank transfer and Paysbuy.

For delivery, they provide you with a tracking number for you to use the Track & Trace service.

Orico

Orico is an easy to use electronics online store, selling products like USB chargers, HDD docking and enclosures, mobile racks and more.

After ordering online and providing your contact information, you can pay by bank transfer and they promise to ship your order within 2-3 days of your confirmed payment. Shipping is free and orders over 500 baht are shipped by EMS Express Service.

Groceries

>>> Read our complete guide to online grocery shopping in Thailand

Big C

Big C is one of the major supermarkets operating in Thailand and has a large online shopping portal for groceries, appliances, homeware, electronics, and health and beauty products, to name just a few.

They promise to deliver within 24 hours and offer payment either with cash on delivery or online. You can also pick up your purchases at your local Big C for orders of over 500 baht and there’s free delivery for all orders over 1,500 baht.

Our experience: A couple of years ago (so bear in mind this is likely out-of-date), we ordered a large number of household goods to be paid in cash on delivery but never received a call confirmation or the actual delivery. At the time, we put this down to the fact that we had provided a foreign mobile number (albeit with the appropriate country code) as the contact and weren’t too bothered. We haven’t tried again although know a few people who use the service without any problems.

Tesco Lotus

Tesco Lotus also have an online shopping arm with a similar array of products on offer as Big C, including groceries, but with an arguably easier to use interface. They also run regular promotions.

You can pay either cash on delivery or online with a credit or debit card if you prefer. Delivery can be arranged within 24 hours or using ‘click and collect’ from your local store, and you can also order up to 3 weeks in advance if you’re planning ahead. You can choose a slot for delivery online, between 10am and 1pm daily.

Tops

Tops is another major player in Thailand’s high street grocery store offerings, and they also have an online shopping arm.

As well as the usual fresh groceries, pantry items and drinks, they also sell ‘mom and baby’ products, beauty and household items. They also run regular online promotions and discounts for email subscribers.

Payment is via credit card either online or on delivery, and cash on delivery. Delivery is available nationwide, between 9am and 10pm, and they also have a call centre to assist with any enquiries.

Wishbeer

Wishbeer is an alcohol delivery service, offering free shipping on orders worth over 2,000 baht and a 10% discount on those over 4,000 baht. There’s no minimum order amount and a small delivery fee of just 79 baht for smaller orders.

They have the largest selection of imported beers and ciders in Thailand and, offering same day delivery in central Bangkok, they’re a force to be reckoned with when it comes to getting craft beer delivered right here, right now.

Wine, whisky, spirits and drinking accessories are also available.

Our experience: Pretty much what it says on the tin — an excellent stock selection and quick, easy delivery.

Delishop

Delishop is an online grocery store that specialise in international and imported food products, delivered right to your door. Unsurprisingly, it’s very popular with the Bangkok expat community.

Their product selection is wide and comprehensive, stretching from fresh groceries to beverages, breakfast foods, pantry items, household products and more.

They offer same day, home delivery in Bangkok and Nonthaburi (if ordered before 12 noon) and pick-up collections in Hua Hin and Pattaya. Delivery is free on all orders above 1,200 baht and just 80 baht if under. Payment is via Paypal, credit card or cash on delivery.

Good Karma Online Health Food Store

Health Food Thailand is one of the most well established online national health food stores, stocking products across the following categories: health food, supplements, body detox, home & garden, super herbs, for athletes, flour & grains, raw butters and personal care.

They also have categories dedicated to bulk buying and sale items, as well as their new arrivals.

They’re an online only store and offer home delivery across the country (and pick-up in central Phuket). Payment is either by bank transfer or Paypal (with no extra charges!) and shipping is by EMS within 24 hours of payment.

Passion Delivery

Passion Delivery is a high-end online grocery store, specialising in the supply of artisan products sourced from various stores which are then delivered together to you, as if you had ordered from just one shop. Brits might liken it to an artisan version of Ocado back home!

They sell items across the food and drink categories, as well as products for healthy living, like toiletries and cookware. Payment for Bangkok deliveries is by bank transfer, Paypal or cash on delivery, while outside the city it’s just bank transfer and Paypal.

Delivery charges start from 90 baht in Bangkok and are usually shipped within 24 hours.

Paleo Robbie

Paleo Robbie is probably best known in Bangkok for its delivery of delicious, ready-made, Paleo lifestyle-compliant meals, but they also have an online Paleo grocery store too, selling products at wholesale prices (with a minimum order of 1,500 baht).

As you might imagine, the majority of products on offer are Paleo ingredients and are all carefully sourced. Animal meat is always from well treated and pastured beasts, while fish is always wild caught. Other product categories include New Zealand berries, local produce, nuts, supplements, primal dairy, drinks, fermented products, offal, snacks, sausages and more.

Payment is visa bank transfer, ATM, bitcoin, credit card, Paypal or cash on delivery (for orders under 5,000 baht).

Radiance Wholefoods

Radiance Wholefoods sell fresh, organic produce, pantry items, health food and natural household items. All organic produce is internationally certified. Other product categories include kefir, essential oils, supplements, flours, cheese, oils, salt lamps, spices, skin care, superfood, baby products and more.

If you’re looking for a product that you can’t find online, you can even shoot them an email to see if they can source it for you.

Orders are delivered within 1-2 business days although fresh produce is only delivered Tuesday to Friday, with Wednesday noon being the cut-off point for delivery that week. Delivery changes differ depending on location. They also have a retail store on Sukhumvit Soi 22 from which pick-ups can be arranged.

Food Glorious Food

Food Glorious Food is another online grocery store that describes itself as ‘quality foods for the everyday gourmet’. They’ve been in operation since 2001 and are the retail to consumer arm of Choice Foods Thailand, an importer who supplies large hotels and restaurants in the country.

Their specialism is in high quality, imported meats from Australia although they stock plenty more products to boot, including wine, ready-to-eat meals, seafood, antipasto, fruit and veg, and cheese and dairy.

Payment is by bank transfer or cash on delivery, and orders can be delivered to central Bangkok, usually within 48 hours of order confirmation.

Happy Fresh

Happy Fresh is another online grocery store where you can order on their website or on the HappyFresh App. They partner with popular Thai supermarkets like Gourmet Market, Big C, Home Fresh Mart, Food Glorious Food, Tesco Lotus and Accidental Butcher to bring you a wide variety of products. They also run their own exclusive online promotions.

You’ll be assigned your own trained personal shopper who will pick your order, before it’s delivered by a grocery courier. If any items are not to your satisfaction, you can return them there and then to the courier.

You can also pick your one-hour delivery slot and they can deliver between 1 hour and 6 days time from your order. You can pay with cash or credit card.

Adam’s Organic

Adam’s Organic deliver Thai-grown fruits and vegetables that are certified by the Japanese, European and American organic standards bodies. Their focus is on seasonal production from small farms throughout the country.

Products range from squash, pumpkin, roots, leaves, spring greens, herbs and fruit to rice, eggs, legumes and Asian greens. They offer a menu of available options every week which you can order, ensuring freshness and sustainability. Menus are updated every Sunday and orders should be submitted by the end of Tuesday for delivery that week.

They can deliver to the whole of Thailand. Within Bangkok, you can opt for home delivery, pick-up from their store or from other collection points throughout the city. Delivery fees are set by area.

You can either pay by prepayment credit or by cash on delivery.

Sunshine Market

Sunshine Market is a small health food store on Sukhumvit Soi 31 with an online shopping portal. They sell all manner of products from fresh produce and baked goods to superfoods, healthy drinks, personal care products, organic, gluten free, nuts, vegan items, drinks and grains.

Payment is via Paypal, credit or debit card.

 

Where do you online shop in Thailand?

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