Frontier town stacked with goods carrying famous brand labels, but at a fraction of the price
FORGET busy Bangkok markets like JJ, Bo Bae, and Phahurat. If you’re looking for bargain-priced clothes – head instead to the Thai-Cambodian border and the sprawling market of Rong Klua in Sa Kaeo province.
This bustling frontier town, some 200 kms east of the Thai capital, is packed with vendors surrounded by mountains of eye-wateringly cheap clothing, much of which carries the labels of famous fashion brands more normally associated with the swish boutiques of European and American capital cities.
But instead of foreign prices that would cause serious dents in your monthly budget, Rong Kluea’s clothes, shoes and other accessories are so ridiculously inexpensive, you really can shop till you drop.
This bustling frontier town, some 200 kms east of the Thai capital, is packed with vendors surrounded by mountains of eye-wateringly cheap clothing, much of which carries the labels of famous fashion brands more normally associated with the swish boutiques of European and American capital cities.
But instead of foreign prices that would cause serious dents in your monthly budget, Rong Kluea’s clothes, shoes and other accessories are so ridiculously inexpensive, you really can shop till you drop.
While it’s not always entirely clear whether these goods are fakes or genuine, there’s no doubting the quality and amazingly low cost of many items. On a recent expedition to Rong Kluea, the BigChilli team bought clothes bearing popular brand names like H&M, Zara, Armani and Dockers.
In one rough-and-ready stall, we also purchased a man’s “thermal brushed cotton” shirt apparently from Marks & Spencer’s Blue Harbour range, complete with what appeared to be a genuine ticket showing a UK price of £35 and “Made in Cambodia” label. The vendor asked for only B150, or £3. M&S is one of the many famous foreign companies with manufacturing facilities in Cambodia.
Another vendor specialising in shoes sold us a pair of what can only be described as excellent quality brogues bearing the “Dr Martens” trademark for only B1,300 – a huge saving on high street prices, if the product is indeed authentic. The same shop also stocked a wide range of sport shoes stamped with the logos of famous brands.
In one rough-and-ready stall, we also purchased a man’s “thermal brushed cotton” shirt apparently from Marks & Spencer’s Blue Harbour range, complete with what appeared to be a genuine ticket showing a UK price of £35 and “Made in Cambodia” label. The vendor asked for only B150, or £3. M&S is one of the many famous foreign companies with manufacturing facilities in Cambodia.
Another vendor specialising in shoes sold us a pair of what can only be described as excellent quality brogues bearing the “Dr Martens” trademark for only B1,300 – a huge saving on high street prices, if the product is indeed authentic. The same shop also stocked a wide range of sport shoes stamped with the logos of famous brands.
Fire recently ripped through Rong Kluea market, causing damage estimated at 10 million baht. Local sources suggest this is a fraction of the area’s daily turnover. The cost of land in this booming border town is increasing rapidly as investors and speculators get ready for the opening next year of the East Asian Community (EAC).
Apart from clothes, Rong Kluea market sells watches, bicycles, foodstuff, garden equipment and a huge assortment of machinery.
Many visitors to the town are actually not shoppers; they bypass the market and head straight to the casinos on the Cambodian side of the border.
It’s a long drive from Bangkok, and this hot and frequently dusty town can become very congested with trucks heading to and from Cambodia, but the bargains to be had here can make it worthwhile.
Apart from clothes, Rong Kluea market sells watches, bicycles, foodstuff, garden equipment and a huge assortment of machinery.
Many visitors to the town are actually not shoppers; they bypass the market and head straight to the casinos on the Cambodian side of the border.
It’s a long drive from Bangkok, and this hot and frequently dusty town can become very congested with trucks heading to and from Cambodia, but the bargains to be had here can make it worthwhile.
