Bangkok Factory Outlet Stores

Levi's, Jim Thompson, Oakley Products at Deep Discounts

Oct 5, 2009

Shop for name-brand jeans, sunglasses, fabric, t-shirts, shawls, pillows, place mats and wallets at deep discounts at three convenient Bangkok factory outlet stores.

The Jim Thompson, Levi's and Oakley factory outlet stores described here are easy for newcomers to find and visit. They are located in Bangkok proper, unlike the glassware, bone china and cookware factory stores, described in an earlier article.

Jim Thompson silk products need little introduction. In addition to the beautiful house he left behind, there are 14 Jim Thompson stores in central Bangkok alone. Less known is that new Jim Thompson products and designs are introduced every year. Discontinued products end up in the factory outlet as do leftovers from custom orders.

Expect to find silk fabric, scarves, sarongs and other clothing, neck ties, napkins, place mats, silk-edged picture frames and picture albums, pillow covers, handbags, wallets and even beanbag chairs. There’s a café on the top floor.

Directions to Jim Thompson and Levi's Stores

The Jim Thompson and Levi's outlet sare close to each other and can easily be visited on the same outing. Those taking late flights from Suvannabhumi International Airport might consider stopping at these two factory outlets on the way. The two stores are also very close to the BITEC Convention Center. For convention-goers stuck out there, a visit to Jim Thompson’s in particular would be a nifty way to pick up some small brand-name souvenirs associated with Thailand.

A few times a year—usually around mid-year and in December—Jim Thompson also holds very big three-day sales on discontinued products. There are typically 50% discounts, but sometimes up to 75%.. These sales are held at BITEC. Check the website for dates, as well as the locations of Jim Thompson discount outlets in Phuket and Pattaya.

Directions to Jim Thompson factory outlet: From central Bangkok, take the Skytrain to its last east-bound station; that’s Onnuj (pronounced "on-noot"). Take Exit 3. There will be taxis waiting. If traffic is moderate, the trip shouldn’t take more

Take a left on Sukhumvit Soi 92. Jim Thompson's three-level store is a short way down on the left-hand size.

Bangkok’s Levi’s Factory Outlet Store

To go to the Levi's store after visiting Jim Thompson, backtrack onto the main Sukhumvit Road. The Levi's store is on the main drag, on the left-hand side, between Sukhumvit Soi 99 and Sukhumvit Soi 100. Besides jeans, belts, t-shirts and other Levi clothing items are sold here. Discounts run 40%-60% off retail prices. But jeans priced at less than 1,000 baht are less than retail prices in regular Bangkok stores.

Oakley Sunglasses Outlet

The stylish sunglasses are made, or assembled, in Thailand. Don’t expect the lines with MP3 players installed, though. Besides, eyewear, there are t-shirts and usually some other branded apparel on sale.

Don’t bother with the phone numbers listed on several websites for Oakley's outlet: no one answers. Opening days and hours are therefore uncertain. The saving grace is that the Oakley store is very centrally located, off Sukhumvit Road, near the Emporium shopping mall. Visiting on a weekday during standard shopping hours should be a safe option.

Get off the Phrom Phong Skytrain station on the Emporium side, but continue walking onward for another block, then turn right onto Sukhumbit Soi 24.

The copyright of the article Bangkok Factory Outlet Stores in Thailand Travel is owned by Susan Cunningham. Permission to republish Bangkok Factory Outlet Stores in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.