We survived Thailand without getting 'Knowingly' ripped off, got back to Perth, decided to buy a couple of bottles of Jack Daniels at the duty free at the airport.

As we walked up to the stand we were approached by a guy in a suite, who said look if you like Jacks try this it it is exclusive to duty free, is slightly higher in alcohol but is smoother, it was about $4 dearer per bottle than the one with the traditional label, had all the JD labeling except the traditional black label, the label was a stenciled colored painted label. Alcohol was 43%, so I bought a couple of bottles.

Got home and guess what, same 43% alcohol content as the ones in the liquor cabinet, did a taste test with a couple of mates, tasted no smoother either...Bugger.

NOTE: It was the first Duty Free you come to as you pass through Customs, name of the shop is First Tax and Duty Free, Ned Kelly lives on.

Maybe this guy had been to Thailand and picked up a few pointers? Hope you enjoyed your holiday....are you going to do a JBR? We are off in 31 days and counting....

Sorry Billie,
just scrolled down and seen you already had! And I had read it earlier in week....blame it on brain overload..too much researching. Have you got any shopping tips, must see/do's?

I think the duty-free shops in Australian airports must be laughing all the way to the bank now that people can't buy duty-free elsewhere and take it back to Australia. They must be kissing the feet of the CAA. The fact that significant numbers of passengers hit the place virtually at once also means that duty-free purchases take much longer than they do at departure point where we all arrive at different times. We lose time as well as money.

Kari0040: Generally I accept the people in SE Asia need to make a buck so anything they get extra out of me I write off to entertainment as the usual good nature of the people is always good for a laugh. When it happens on home soil the reaction is different, first you think what an idiot, then you feel like you have been mugged.

Shopping depends what your looking for, we found most of the markets were the same stuff, electronics,cameras,computers,movies and software were best at Panthip Plaza in Bangkok, Tokyu/MBK in bangkok besides being like department stores are a bit similar to Target/K-mart but have some of the electronics, cameras etc.

There are some arcades in the same building that have almost everything that the markets and Panthip Plaza has, there are about 4 floors a lot of the bags,shirts etc were better quality than the night markets, but night markets are still worth a look.

My wife bought some stuff at the Siam Center in Bangkok which has some very upmarket stores representing the major brand/fashion exclusive labels, my wife works in retail fashion but still likes to shop just to see what's out there.

Electronics/cameras were pretty expensive in Phuket and Patong.

If your looking for anything particular in this line get model numbers and prices before you go so you know what your paying for, I bought some camera gear at Panthip and got a good price, that particular shop was always crowded so the word was out, if you want the name of the store PM me, I'll try to dig it up.

I cannot believe the duty free prices in Perth/Aus.As forthe staff theyare nearly as bad as the Tailors in Thailand and the hawkers in Bali--Boy do they get right in your face pushing their wares.
Cheers laurs

Actually you can still buy your duty free from any duty free shop outside the airport,but you need to,or not if you are brave enough lol,pack the fluid(booze or large perfume etc) inside your luggage and hand in the docket once you are through immigration,and yes you certainly can buy a lot cheaper than at the airport as they keep their price high because of high rental prices there plus they can because once there you have no other choice.By the way there is only one duty free in perth airport coming or going,just that they have recently changed name but same company.
Ted

You can also buy duty free outside the airport and pick it up at the airport in the departure lounge so you can carry it on. The duty free shops are the same as at the airport just a bit cheaper.

Den

Hi Billie,
thanks for your email....tried to email you back but it wouldn't go through. Have checked out that link...great info. Just found another blog that lists all the Chiang Mai markets and directions to get there. Have got soooo much info I'm going into overload....
28 days to go...tidying up everything now...
Cheers

Karin