First off, full disclosure: I ain’t gonna preach about the ethics of it all. Your money, your choice. But, like, be smart about it, yeah?
Bangkok used to be *the* spot, right? Everyone talks about MBK, that legendary mall. But I heard it’s changed! A lot of stuff has been redeveloped, they said the pirated game and fake stuff is mostly gone! Post covid, that sucks if you were hoping to find the good ol’ days of knockoffs there.
Then there’s Phuket. Supposedly, Phuket is where it’s *at* now for fake markets. I’ve never been myself (yet!), but the word is they have some seriously good quality knock-offs. Like, almost-can’t-tell-the-difference good. Half price… or LESS! That’s insane, right? I’m picturing myself swimming in “Gucci” swimwear. (Okay, maybe just a “Guchi” swimsuit, ha!)
Now, important stuff: watch out for the cops, lol! I mean, I haven’t personally had a run-in, but I’ve read stories. If you’re buying in bulk, maybe think about how you’re getting it all home. Just sayin’.
And for the love of all that is holy, *inspect everything before you buy*. Seriously. I’ve seen “designer” shirts with the logo spelled totally wrong. Like, “Dolce & Banana” wrong. Hilarious, but not what you want. Check seams, check zippers, check the overall feel. You wanna at least get something that lasts longer than one wash, right?
Also, bargain *hard*. They expect it. Start low, be playful, and don’t be afraid to walk away. They’ll probably chase you down. It’s all part of the game, and it’s pretty fun.
Okay, one more thing: don’t be a jerk. These are real people trying to make a living. Be respectful, be polite, and don’t haggle down to the point where you’re basically stealing from them.