Buying Cheap Yonex Racquet in Bangkok (Racket)

Buying an original yonex racquet is quite heavy on the pocket, but since I bought mine (or should I say since my dad bought it for me and didn't accept when I was going to reimburse for it *wide smile*), it was a good choice, I was content with just one. It has been about 5 years since I bought my Yonex armortec 800 OF and it's perfectly well but I just feel like getting a spare. After weeks of googling what's nice and new, a Yonex Arcsaber 9 was on my shopping list on my trip to Bangkok, Thailand.

In hot pink and white grip, the Yonex Arcsaber 9 is said to be designed for women; not only for it's color but for its lightness and manoeuverability. I felt the difference by the one and only time I got to use it. I will have to wait until my 3-month tennis elbow injury heals before I can use it again.



If there is anywhere in this world that sells the cheapest Yonex racquet, I'd say go to Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand has a knack of selling cheap stuff when it's made in Thailand.

WHERE TO BUY ORIGINAL YONEX IN BANGKOK:

Bangkok's department store sells about 30% lower compared to racquets sold in the Philippines. I particularly like the display in Siam Paragon and in Yonex shop in Central World.

If you think you've got a good deal, I've got a better one. Racquets that's about half the price compared to Philippine's mall can be purchased from the sport shops next to the National Stadium, they are wholesalers that sells retail at 20%+ cheaper than Bangkok's mall and Yonex Shop, strings, socks and other accessories are just about the same price as sold in the mall.

You can browse through badminton forums, they can attest that they are original and an email from yonex also confirms that they have authorized dealers in the area. You can visit:

FIRST SPORTS
847/5-6 Soi Chula 5 Rama 1 Rd, Wangmai Pathumwan Bangkok tel 2141616

SPORTS MARKETING
847/7 Rama 6 Rd. Pathumwam, Bangkok tel 2141390


DIRECTIONS:

from MBK (Mah Boon Krong - tokyo department store exit), take Rama 1 road and proceed towards the National Stadium. At the end of the block, turn left, straight ahead on the right side of the road, you'll find FBT store at the 1st intersection. Straight ahead, about 3 stores after FBT store you'll find First Sports and Sports Marketing. It's with small glass door and are just beside each other selling sports equipment like boxing gloves, shoes, racquets, strings etc.... This is about 15 minutes walk from MBK.

see this link for more directions .

NOTE: I had my racquet strung at the Yonex shop in Central World, when you buy string from them, labor cost to string is free.

UPDATE:  as of march 2013

First Sports have already moved from Chula 5 to junction of Chula 12/Chula 5. Chula 12 is a few streets further down from its previous location. (Chula = Chulalongkorn)

Sports Marketing will move from Chula 5 to Thanon Banthat Thong next to Kasikorn Bank (or K Bank to the locals) shortly. 
The new Sports Marketing shop is still under renovation as at time of posting. To go to the new shop, take a walk to the junction of Chula 8/Thanon Banthat Thong where Somfood Seafood is located. You should see K Bank and Sports Marketing.

for more details check out this link from badmintoncentral.com

At Home in Bangkok, Thailand

I had second thoughts of visiting Bangkok, Thailand because of the political issues hounding the country. Last December thousands were stranded when the airport was blocked by protestors and another incident months later. I "facebooked" my Thai friend about visiting Bangkok, she said it's absolutely safe. I take her word for it, and it was just an hour before midnight, an hour before Philippine Airline's Real Deal was about to end. I was able to fly to Bangkok, Thailand for about P7,000. Regular fare usually average US$350.

This is my fourth visit to Bangkok, Thailand. This time, it's strictly no sightseeing. I'm going there simply to shop and to go on our own.

ARRIVING IN BANGKOK

Without airport transfer service which costs about 1,400 baht per way, we opted to take the airport cab, located at the farthest (left) end of the terminal. It's just outside baggage carousel 20+, just where our empty luggage are. Taxi from the airport to Bangkok City is about 360 baht inclusive of toll fees. If you're a solo traveller, you may take the airport bus for only 150 baht.

We arrived in Arnoma Hotel 45 minutes later.

STAYING IN BANGKOK

In my previous trip, I normally stay at Baiyoke Suite simply because it's cheap. Since tourism has gone down in Bangkok, hotel rates are low, so we got a good rate at Arnoma Hotel for only $220 good for 2nights, with daily buffet breakfast for 3 pax from asiarooms.com

Arnoma Hotel is located across Central World and walking distance to other major shopping centers. Noticeably, they have renovated their lobby. It's looks much cleaner and nicer than two years ago.

GOING AROUND IN BANGKOK

A sky train runs across Bangkok City. In my four visits to Bangkok, I've never took the train but some friends say it's very convenient.

Lazy to go up the stairs to the sky train, I opt to take the taxi. It costs about 60-80 baht to get from one shopping center to another. :) It's quite near, but traffic in Bangkok is bad. Traffic routes are confusing aside from it being right hand drive, it's mostly one way street. Taxi drivers can be rude, you have to insist on having the meter on and you have to decline if they offer to drop you off in a jewelry store for them to get free gas. If they don't agree, go find another. Taxi is abundant in Thailand. As my friend says, there are too much vacant taxi even on rush hour.

The tuktuk is an option, but most drivers asks for 100 baht when it is suppose to be just 40 baht. It might be worth a try, for photo op.