PAPAYA Studio Thailand's Largest Antique vintage store — Attraction in Tha Raeng Subdistrict

I was recommended this shop by a frequent buyer there who told me prices are negotiable down to 3/4 of the price if you’re buying a few big items . I took 2 hours to take pictures of items with no price tags and others which I wanted to buy, ready to spend approx ฿ 200k there since we’re furnishing our new house. They have a few very nice items if I have to be fair. At the counter, there was a man in his fifties to whom I asked the price in Thai which I speak fluently, since I’ve been living here for a while and he pretended he didn’t understand. Then he just typed the exorbitant price on a calculator. For me, it was a red flag saying he didn’t want to negotiate and will pretend he doesn’t understand my Thai, the oldest trick in the book in Thailand. I politely asked if it was negotiable(as anyone who knows this is common in antique stores especially when you plan on buying several items), he snorted and ignored me. My partner still asked him in English and the staff rolled his eyes and removed a few bahts from a 50k furniture. We walked because we didn’t feel like buying from someone who showed such disrespect to polite prospective buyers especially when a lot of items are sitting there in a thick layer of dust, a clear sign that they have been there for a while so why is there so much arrogance? After that, we went to antique stores nearby the weekend market in Chatuchak and the selection was way better there and the staff actually had manners. I would recommend...

I waited a couple weeks writing this review as I had a double feeling about it. Yes, all the stories told about the mysterious things you can discover here, and all the tales about endless dwindling lanes of unexpected treasure are true but...

Before I go into the but, this place has a banner, that although it looked pretty old, says they are moving to another place. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and will visit the new place and see if they can recreate the splendor of the 'old' place.

I say 'old' as currently everything is at its last legs. Not just the items, the venue, the organization but even the surroundings are not very pleasant. There are hardly any facilities and even visiting on a winter day, it was very dusty and hot inside. There were some fans placed but those were mostly used by us to pause for a couple minutes and get our breath.

Yes, there is still a lot to see but the quality of it all is below par as it is presented now. Hope to see the new place opening up soon!

Photo's posted separately two weeks ago...

Interesting, poor service, and relatively expensive . A few things had price tags on them and they seemed expensive, like a used bike for almost $1000 in THB. I took a picture of a pinball machine and the guy said it didn't capture the whole item so he couldn't price it. All but the legs of the unit were displayed. I asked, in Thai, if we could check the item in person and he just ignored me. Maybe he didn't understand but it was poor service after I just stood there waiting. I suspect he thought I was just a tourist, not a serious potential customer - despite the fact I live here and speak a fair amount of Thai. Overall, the front office staff felt dismissive, almost rude. I disagree with the NY Times. Go to Chatuchak, Yes it's crowded and touristy, but still interesting. (And go to to the other side and get some royal...