BAZAAR

Bazaar Shows: Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is famous for antiques, arts and crafts, textiles and gems. Presenter Estelle Bingham unveils some of Bangkok's best-kept secrets.

She visits Chatuchak weekend market where travellers and locals alike find bargains to wear or dress their homes. In quest for some more interesting arts and crafts Estelle ventures out of the city on a day trip to the Arts and Folk Crafts Centre, founded by Queen Sirikit in 1976. Here she watches locals make clay sculptures, hand-paint fans and make batik textiles.

Estelle and a big fan

Silk is an important commodity in Thailand and Estelle visits the specialist shop Jim Thompson's and learns of the mystery behind the great mans disappearance. After buying an outfit there Estelle decides her look is incomplete without a gem, after all Bangkok is the gemstone capital of the world. Estelle hunts down a local dealer who shows here how to tell the difference between a real and a fake.

Bangkok has taken a pivotal role in the lucrative trade of Asian antiques. Estelle discovers some true ancient wonders as well as some excellent reproductions. Temple woodcarvings are very popular and most antiques or reproductions are of Buddhist or Hindu icons. Religious symbols are also a part of every day life in Thailand and Estelle shops for a religious symbol known as amulets with a local taxi driver.