Where's a good place to shop?

Obviously, I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money.  (I could replace the old one for upwards of US$300, as it has long since been discontinued.  NOT A CHANCE!)

Suggestions welcome.  Skytrain or subway or taxi access required: the doctor has put me on limited walking restriction for the duration.

Thanks!

All but forgotten, the multi-level cabinet of curiosities stands as a monument both to its own history and to that of the woman who has kept it alive.

Aroon Niyomvanich has worked at Nightingale Olympic for 86 years, having started her career at the age of 10 (Credit: Credit: Courtney Lichterman)

Aroon Niyomvanich has worked at Nightingale Olympic for 86 years, having started her career at the age of 10 (Credit: Courtney Lichterman)

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Now 96 years old, Aroon Niyomvanich started her career at Nightingale Olympic, the city’s first major department store, when she was just 10 years old. “I was born into the store,†she told me from behind her desk in a corner of the main selling floor.

Inside, the Nightingale Olympic feels more like a living museum diorama than a department store – a Wes Anderson movie come to life. Shelves full of 1950s hosiery in original boxes sit across from stiff-stringed tennis racquets from the ‘70s. In the lingerie section, large, lacy bras hang precariously on rusty tenterhooks, seemingly kept upright by the makeshift counterweight of a 1960s Nightingale promotional bag. Display cases jaundiced with age hold bottles of rare, evaporating Schiaparelli and Christian Dior perfumes. There are deep, progressing fissures in the necks of the store mannequins, and much of the stock looks as if it might turn to dust if handled.

A glass case behind Niyomvanich’s desk holds a mélange of disparate items, ranging from family photos to sports trophies to a small collection of action figures. A calendar open to a page of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, one of many images of the Thai royals around the store, hangs prominently on the wall. “Everything here has meaning,†she said.

Today the Nightingale Olympic feels more like a living museum diorama than a department store (Credit: Credit: Napittha Tiya)

Today the Nightingale Olympic feels more like a living museum diorama than a department store (Credit: Napittha Tiya)

Opened in 1930 just across the road from where it is now, Nightingale Olympic was the passion project of Niyomvanich’s older brother Nat, who started the business just after their parents died. Following a deathbed order from their mother to keep the family together, the entrepreneur employed all six siblings and three of his then-young nieces and nephews to help get the store on its feet. One of the many millions of Chinese families living in Thailand, theirs was a “typical Chinese family,†Niyomvanich explained, which meant “no arguments and no fightsâ€, a dynamic she feels was directly responsible for the store’s staying power.

The store originally sold bargain cosmetics and clothing, until customers appealed to the family to start selling more upscale brands. That recommendation led to buying trips to Europe to purchase expensive perfume, sports equipment and musical instruments. (The name of the store itself is a reminder of those early trips: ‘Nightingale’ was one of the musical instrument brands; ‘Olympic’ came from some of the sports equipment.) Despite her young age, Niyomvanich was included in all of it; she travelled the world with her brother to scout out the merchandise that would secure the store’s eventual reputation as a utopian arcade of exotic goods.

Everything here has meaning

Several years later in the late 1930s or early 1940s (she can’t remember exactly when), Niyomvanich and her brother were chosen by Merle Norman, a then-burgeoning cosmetics brand, to represent the product in Thailand. The gig ended up being a big deal, leading to television segments for her brother and to her own shift from representative to sales trainer.

Forced to relocate after a bomb decimated the area in World War II, the store finally settled in to its current location – a sprawling seven storey structure where Niyomvanich not only works, but also lives. Only the first and second floors are open to the public, with the remaining five floors dedicated to her office, home, stockroom and rooftop kitchen.

The Nightingale Olympic has been a fixture of Bangkok’s shopping scene since 1930 (Credit: Credit: The Nightingale Olympic)

The Nightingale Olympic has been a fixture of Bangkok’s shopping scene since 1930 (Credit: The Nightingale Olympic)

There is still a small cosmetics section on the first floor, but Niyomvanich explains that it was the third-floor beauty salon dedicated to the Merle Norman brand that really put Nightingale Olympic on the map. It has been closed to the public for more than 30 years, so I was thrilled when she offered to show me around.

Moments later, we were exiting the lift on the darkened third floor. Niyomvanich flipped a switch to reveal a perfectly preserved, over-the-top tribute to 1950s femininity and glamour, awash in Schiaparelli pink. Plastic rollers, still sprouting a few ghostly strands of hair, were piled on a slowly rusting trolley, while atomizers sat undisturbed in sales cases, their spraying mechanisms long deflated. Countertops were lined with jars and tubes of creams and potions that were undoubtedly past their sell-by date. An appointments calendar lay open on a mid-century reception desk, as if waiting for a phantom receptionist to start making bookings.

It feels like a Wes Anderson movie come to life

“They all still work,†Niyomvanich said, gesturing to the fleet of antiquated exercise machines that once kneaded and nudged Bangkok’s elite towards fitness. Watching her demonstrate how each one worked, it was not hard to envision the room as it once was: jiggling tummies tightening with each movement while fellow customers reclined against the pink porcelain sinks, attendants working shampoo through their hair in preparation for new ‘dos.

“Why keep the salon in working order?†I asked.

“Because,†Niyomvanich diplomatically replied, “it has meaning.â€

The Nightingale Olympic’s now-defunct beauty salon once catered to Bangkok’s elite (Credit: Credit: Barcroft Media/Getty Images)

The Nightingale Olympic’s now-defunct beauty salon once catered to Bangkok’s elite (Credit: Barcroft Media/Getty Images)

Today, a small, devoted staff, most of whom have been there a few decades, service the selling counters. Dressed in surprisingly pristine hot-pink golf shirts, they look like a dainty, off-duty ladies’ polo team. Although the store is often completely devoid of customers, it does a consistent business with loyal patrons who purchase goods to re-sell in the country’s rural provinces. Niyomvanich says that Merle Norman cosmetics are still Nightingale Olympic’s biggest sellers.

Her preference is to keep the Nightingale Olympic as is, but notes that if the younger generations of her family want to modernise, she’s OK with that, too. The bigger issue is who is going to take over the store when it’s time. Niyomvanich is the last surviving sibling, and has even outlived many of the subsequent generations who might have taken over. She’s lost track of how many great-grandchildren there are, and says that most of her nieces and nephews are already pursuing other careers. Her brother’s children might be good candidates, but they are already in their 60s and 70s.

One of Niyomvanich’s greatest concerns is who will take over the store when she can no longer run it (Credit: Credit: Barcroft Media/Getty Images)

One of Niyomvanich’s greatest concerns is who will take over the store when she can no longer run it (Credit: Barcroft Media/Getty Images)

Given that this neighbourhood is showing the telltale signs of redevelopment (a hipster barbershop has just opened across the street), I asked her if anyone has ever offered to buy the Nightingale Olympic, a question that prompted a wry smile.

“No-one would dare ask,†she said.

When I see anything like that in Pattaya or CM, my immediate thought is 'Ha ! Tourist prices !', but I honestly have no idea what I should be paying. It doesnt have to be a genuine antique (obviously those cost more), but I do want that antique look - anyone ?

Thanks,

Gobble

I think since the first one in 98 I've bought about 10 different cars in Thailand, some used, some new. All have been financed to some degree and all straightforward enough. This time it's going to be a cash only deal so I'm a bit curious to know how this is likely to play out in the showroom before I enter.

Is it likely that I can expect discounting off the list price for cash which I've always found somewhat firm when financing? Better priced or free choices from the options list? Bigger smiles and higher wais from the service girls? Or are the wads of folding grey so commonplace that it won't attract a response?

Thoughts?

Cheers

M

Sold it on eb*y for US $80.00.

Just shows you that there is stuff in hotel rooms that are worth real money !

This is a present for some friends in Huntsville. Long story.

Any ideas and thoughts of a place known to be able to do this sort of small one off work? I thought of car repaint places but have not found any near me willing to even try something that doesn't have wheels

Any advice from the board?

I see the top of the line Sony is available now - wonder how much this cost right now?

85 inch X Series BRAVIA 4K LED backlight / 3D TV

http://www.sony.co.th/product/kd-85x9500b?site=hp_en_TH_i

Plenty in the USA and China but none in Thailand.

I think that Bangkok China town has shops that would sell such an item, but where?

Usually you find a soi in China town that is all watches for sale, all pumps for sale, etc.

So where is the soi that sells such kitchen gadgets?

Nikon or Canon preferably.

Looking at something like the Nikon D3300 / D5300

or the Canon EOS 700D.

Any tips are welcome.

Thanks.

25 new Bangkok malls set for 2015

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/marketing/469885/urbanisation-spurs-25-new-community-malls-this-year

At least 28 new community malls will be opened in Bangkok and suburban areas in 2015-16 in response to growing urbanisation and changing lifestyles.

Community malls accounted for the biggest growth in the retail sector last year. Over a half or 147,000 square metres, out of the total new retail space of 282,600 sq m, came from community malls.

Surachet Kongcheep, associate director of Colliers International (Thailand) Co, said 25 new community malls with over 320,000 sq m were slated to open this year. Among them,14 projects are in western Bangkok including Kalapapruek, Ratchapruek and Phetkasem Soi 48.

Community malls in the western area due to be opened in the first quarter of this year include Metro West Town, Dragon Mall and Pop Market.

Six new community malls including the Jas Lat Plaklao and the Auto Mall will be opened in the north of the capital and the remaining seven projects will be in other locations.

Community malls have taken off in Bangkok due to the changing lifestyles of people who want shopping convenience, while some are popular in major provinces and tourist destinations.

Among the community malls planned to open in major provinces this year are Lime Light community mall in Phuket, the 600-million-baht Posri Village in Udon Thani and Johor Market Place, which will kick off later this year in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Community malls started gaining in popularity in 2005 after the launch of J-Avenue lifestyle mall. It came with the right concept, the right place and at the right time.It was built when Japanese expats flocked to the area and Japanese culture and cuisine started to become more popular among Thais.

See article for rest of the story

Big C, Lotus do not have it.

Ideas?

2.5L diesel, gray leather interior, Kenwood touchscreen CD/DVD player w/ USB port, power windows, power locks, cruise control. Only 46,000 km.

First Class Insurance

We will deliver to the airport, your hotel, or your apartment in Bangkok, Pattaya, or surrounding areas.

8,000 baht per week/28,000 per month

085-491-8366

Some things are impossible to get or too expensive in LOS/Laos this site is a good place for things like USB 3 external HDD cases.

And cheap and if $0 postage, about 2~3 weeks, reliable.

Paypal and other third party payment systems - no direct credit card.

I've used them for about 3 years now, I'm not spamming for them.

And they've even got sections for toys and uniforms

http://www.chinabuye.com/

http://www.neurope.eu/news/wire/thailand-cut-import-tariff-luxury-goods

So she comes home today with 2 pairs of jeans one pair marked 505 and the other 535. Both very different in many respects. She bought them at Central and the prices were good. Add this up and I really think these are not the real McCoy, or in this case Strauss.

Anyhoo, is it:

a. Possible to buy real Levis jeans in Thailand?

b. Clear how knockoffs depart from the original?

I'm not saying anything mind, just having her on her knees offering gifts and supplication renders that down right impossible.