shopping for luggage

I will be traveling from the US to Bangkok via United Airlines and then using Air Asia for my flights to Phuket, KL, and then back to Bangkok. Since Air Asia only allows one piece of checked luggage, I%26#39;m going to travel with just one suitcase and then buy a piece of luggage in Bangkok to haul back all the things I%26#39;ve bought from shopping.

Does anyone has suggestions of where I can find good luggage that is durable but not expensive? I%26#39;m not looking to buy anything designer. I%26#39;d like to spend no more than 800-1,000 baht-is that too much or too little for good quality luggage? Also, is there anything I should look out for when choosing luggage, ie will I be able to easily spot poorly made luggage?

shopping for luggage

There are many places/shops that sell luggage all along the main tourist streets. Most will be cheap copies tho I have used one of them for the last 3 years so some of them seem OK.

shopping for luggage

Many places along Sukhumvit as well as in MBK.

In my opinion, the most important part is the zip, then the dragging handle. A poorly made luggage has thin and weak zips, the inner layer looks lousy and it has a loose and weak dragging handle and / or wheels.

Check prices in supermarkets (Tesco Lotus or BigC, etc.) if you have a chance. You don%26#39;t have to bargain and nobody is pushing you to buy. I%26#39;ve seen some good luggage there well within your budget.

My friend bought 1 big luggage in Indra Square 2 years ago and it%26#39;s still good. 900 Baht was the deal from the starting price 1,400 Baht I think.

If you go to Pratunam Center, new mall but very quiet since last year, there%26#39;s a guy who has many luggage to choose including Samsonite made in China. He knows how to smile and is not upset if you don%26#39;t buy. I was there last month and the guy was still there.

Thanks a bunch. I appreciate everyone%26#39;s input!