Wholesalers in Bangkok

[Siam Sam 964]

I'm interested in researching large warehouse outlets in Bangkok that supply the shops and businesses in Thailand. The places that the smaller shops buy their goods from whole sale for cheaper prices. I'm particularly interested in ornamental and hand crafted Thai items. Any information would be appreciated. Even names would be a start. My Thai wife has told me the name of one wholesaler she remembered called (phonetical translation) "bow bay" but we can't find it.

 

Which are the largest ones and what are their names?

Edited January 6, 2010 by Siam Sam

[redwood13 56]

Google "bobe market".

 

-redwood

[Siam Sam 964]

Google "bobe market".

 

-redwood

 

Thanks for that. I think I tried every combination bar "bobe." I have found out a bit about that one and another called Pratunam market. I already knew of Chatuchak market. There must be some more.

 

Any more suggestions?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Thanks for that. I think I tried every combination bar "bobe." I have found out a bit about that one and another called Pratunam market. I already knew of Chatuchak market. There must be some more.

 

Any more suggestions?

 

Both Bo Bae and Pratunam are pretty much garment markets.

 

Try OTOP or the Dept of Export Promotion. Both of them run decent trade fairs.

 

OTOP or Thai Tambon

 

DEP Trade Fairs

Edited January 6, 2010 by CheshireTom

[Siam Sam 964]

Both Bo Bae and Pratunam are pretty much garment markets.

 

Try OTOP or the Dept of Export Promotion. Both of them run decent trade fairs.

 

OTOP or Thai Tambon

 

DEP Trade Fairs

 

 

Many thanks Tom.

[mrlasvegas 124]

I looked into doing this in Indonesia. My recommendation would be to target certain areas of the country where the craftspeople live. Your girlfriend should be of some help. Also you might try a university professor who teaches Thai art history. Should be one or two in Bangkok. Get the locations matched to the product you want to sell. Then you and gf head to each location and negotiate with them directly to purchase. Will increase your profit margin exponentially. You will never get an acceptable margin buying from wholesalers and shipping, imo. Remember your FOB has to be calculated into the net cost. Along with any applicable export fees.

[torrenova 644]

I looked into doing this in Indonesia. My recommendation would be to target certain areas of the country where the craftspeople live. Your girlfriend should be of some help. Also you might try a university professor who teaches Thai art history. Should be one or two in Bangkok. Get the locations matched to the product you want to sell. Then you and gf head to each location and negotiate with them directly to purchase. Will increase your profit margin exponentially. You will never get an acceptable margin buying from wholesalers and shipping, imo. Remember your FOB has to be calculated into the net cost. Along with any applicable export fees.

 

Agreed if you are going to do volumes. A lot of legwork though if the idea is a non starter. The OP does not state whether the is looking at supplying the Thai or export market.

[Obsession 571]

Im sure you wouldnt get arrested , but I thought Id mention that you arent allowed to go to trade fairs if you have a tourist visa.

[Siam Sam 964]

Agreed if you are going to do volumes. A lot of legwork though if the idea is a non starter. The OP does not state whether the is looking at supplying the Thai or export market.

 

I'm looking to import goods from Thailand for sale in the UK. And information would be appreciated if you have any experience in this field.

[Siam Sam 964]

Im sure you wouldnt get arrested , but I thought Id mention that you arent allowed to go to trade fairs if you have a tourist visa.

 

I can do what I like. I'm nails.

[Obsession 571]

I can do what I like. I'm nails.

 

 

Watch the swagger, doesnt give you away

[torrenova 644]

I'm looking to import goods from Thailand for sale in the UK. And information would be appreciated if you have any experience in this field.

 

Start at the UK end and you'll find that many suppliers get cheaper and better stuff from Malaysia and India as well as some coming in from China. I know as a mate of mine owns and works the complete business from growing the wood overseas all the way to retail of the finished products in the UK.

 

It is not an easy market to get involved in. Everyone and his dog has shit for sale on Ebay and doing large volumes is impossible for many items because your end retail outlets don't have the volume to take huge quantities from you. Adding in another layer of UK wholesaler is going to kill you profit wise.

 

John Lewis has some Thai rubber wood kids furniture

 

http://www.johnlewis.com/230563536/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/230563537/Product.aspx

http://www.johnlewis.com/230394094/Product.aspx

 

I don't know what you are planning but if JL are retailing it for £24 then they are buying it for maybe £10 and that is fully boxed in JL packaging that you pay for, manufactured, QC'd, shipped and with a very strict returns policy to wipe out any margin you thought you had left.

 

PM me your ideas if you want. Not my game but I may know some people.

[Siam Sam 964]

PM me your ideas if you want. Not my game but I may know some people.

 

Thank you very much. I may well PM you soon. I am just so busy with all this research. There is so much to find out.