This is another beautiful part of Thailand. You could practically do all of your shopping in Thailand without ever setting foot inside a store. Food vendors. Seamstresses. Salesmen of magazines, paper, cosmetics, home appliances, batteries, shoes, clothing. All scrunching their business into a four by seven cart on wheels along the sidewalk, there for your convenience.
This also adds to Thailand's food culture. This is far from an Italian "two meals a day, don't even think of ruining your appetite by snacking" culture. Thais, especially in cities and towns, will graze throughout the day: a smoothie here, fried chicken feet there, and a plate of Pad Thai if you really have an appetite. Because of this, even when you think you are ordering a full meal, it is never overly filling. A dish of Pad Thai is probably not meant to be a full diner; I am expected to have picked up a bag of fresh roasted peanuts an hour before and fried bananas after. This dining does not have to be hurried and can be comfortable and classy, as well. Often a cluster of these food carts will have table seating and real china dishware. This could be your destination for a night out on the town; not just a pit stop on your way home from work. And do not think that you are sacrificing variety: with a wok at hand, there is nothing that these Thais cannot cook up.
You can also pull together an entire wardrobe in the sidewalk space between two crosswalks. Shoes, socks, undergarments, ultra-hip teeny bopper clothes, business casual, gym workout, linen hippy...the possibilities are endless.
And perhaps you need a garment mended? Look no further than the little corner lady perched in front of her sewing machine. Hand your garment off and by the time you pass by after work she will have it waiting for you.
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