Duty-free at stylish Suvarnabhumi is far less like picking your way through a crowded market than former Don Mueang (now reverted to the Don Muang spelling). Shops, operated by King Power’s duty-free conglomerate, include general duty-free outlets heavy on alcohol, tobacco, perfumes and confections. Prices are slightly steeper than in Hongkong or Singapore (see Hongkong and Singapore below). However, sudden and sometimes short-lived discounts make Suvarnabhumi less pricey for some items. If you’re not going to the other airports, make sure you get what you need. You’ll make big savings. The caveat: know your prices. Thai silk (fabrics and garments) and upscale handicrafts aren’t always cheaper than downtown, but prices are fixed and presentation is beautiful.
