The ubiquitous iPod is as popular in Thailand as it is everywhere else in the world – but is it any cheaper to buy one of Apple’s famed MP3 players in the Land Of Smiles rather than at home?
In a word: No. Unfortunately, while Thailand is a shopper’s paradise for many items, electronics aren’t one of them. There are some bargains to be had buying digital cameras in Thailand – but not iPods. You can find stacks of cheap iPods on Ebay which continually beat Bangkok prices. (Scroll down for current Ebay iPod auctions).
I did a quick spot check today in Bangkok’s Emporium mall – an 80 gb iPod was retailing for 14,290 Baht. The Emporium, like many ritzy malls, is part of the Tax-Free scheme that lets tourists claim back the 7 per cent tax from their purchases. 7 per cent of 14,290 is conveniently 1001 Baht, so that makes the best price 13,289 Baht.
In the UK, an 80 gb iPod currently goes for £197 on Amazon.co.uk. The Thai discounted price of 13,289 Baht is around £203 – so it’s still more expensive.
In the USA, an 80 gb iPod currently sells for $322 on Amazon.com. The Thai discounted price of 13,289 Baht is around $404 – so that’s a lot more expensive.
Of course, you might want to splash your cash if you see one of the unique themed iPods that have been issued in Thailand, like this iPod for the launch of the first wholly Thai animated movie Khan Kluay (featuring a very cute cartoon baby elephant) and this iPod to commemorate His Majesty The King’s Diamond Jubilee.
As far as I can work out, Apple tends to keep a fairly tight control on its prices worldwide, so trying to find big discounts from any source is difficult. Even in Singapore and Hong Kong, renown for their electronics bargains, there are slim pickings to be had. (Although I did by my own 3rd generation iPod in Singapore’s Sim Lim Square a couple of years ago that was definitely cheaper than the UK retail price). The Emporium is quite an upmarket, expensive mall, so it’s possible that you might find cheaper iPods elsewhere in Bangkok, but I doubt they will be significantly cheaper.
You should definitely make sure that you buy any Apple products from an authorised Apple store in Thailand. There have been reports of fake iPod Nanos being sold in MBK mall in Bangkok, with tourists buying what seems a bargain for 2600 Baht and getting a very poor quality MP3 player instead.
This post was inspired by seeing a fair few people were arriving at Travelhappy after searching Google with the term “ipod Thailand”. If there are any other goods in Thailand you want to know the relative price of compared to the USA and UK, leave me a comment and I will try to find out – although don’t expect it to be a super speedy response.
I first went travelling in 2003 when the original iPods were still something of a rarity on the backpacking circuit – there was a sense of wonder about the iPod which I write about in Travels with my iPod.
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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 Apple iPod Classic 6th Generation 80GB - Color Black US $149.99
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 Apple iPod classic 6th Generation Silver (80 GB) US $133.49
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 Apple iPod Classic 6th Generation 80GB - Color Silver US $139.99
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 Apple iPod Classic 6th Generation 80GB - Color Silver US $139.99
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 US Apple iPod 80GB Classic Video Silver MP3 Player 6th US $149.99
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Hi, I have a question. i want to buy an ipod from the united states load it with songs and send it as a gift to someone living in Thailand. This person does not have a personal computer with them, and their only source for the internet is at internet cafe’s. So my question is – Can someone living in Thailand purchase/download tunes to their ipod at public internet cafes?
Thanks.
Yes, iTunes Store is available in Thailand so they should be able to do it provided they have a credit card (of course) and the internet shop owner doesn’t mind them plugging in their iPod to the computer. Only issue is that a lot of Thai internet cafe PCs are infected with viruses etc so that might be a problem