Online Shopping in Thailand: Lazada, Shopee & Amazon Alternatives

Amazon does not operate in Thailand. No Prime, no two-day shipping, no single box with everything you ordered. If you are moving here from the US, this is one of the first things you notice. You need to buy a new power strip, some kitchen supplies, and a phone case. Where do you even go?

The answer is Lazada and Shopee. They are the Amazon equivalents in Southeast Asia, and between the two of them you can find almost anything you need. But they work differently than Amazon in ways that take some getting used to. The interface is chaotic, every item ships separately from different sellers, and you need to video yourself opening packages in case something is wrong.

I have been ordering from Lazada almost daily since moving to Bangkok. This is everything I have learned about making it work, including the quirks nobody tells you about.

Lazada: The One I Use Every Day

Lazada is owned by Alibaba, and it shows. The app and website feel like AliExpress with a Thai skin. The layout is busy, there are coins and vouchers and flash deals flashing at you from every direction, and the overall experience is very different from the clean, minimal Amazon interface. It takes a few days to get used to it.

That said, it works. The product selection is enormous. I have bought everything from a standing desk to kitchen knives to laundry detergent to HDMI cables. Most items arrive in one to two days if you are in Bangkok. Some items from overseas sellers take longer, but anything labeled "ships from Thailand" is fast.

What Lazada Gets Right

• Fast delivery. Most orders arrive in one to two days within Bangkok. Some same-day delivery options exist for certain sellers.
• Accepts international credit cards. I pay with my Chase Sapphire Reserve on every order. Visa and Mastercard work without issues. You can also pay with Thai bank transfers, PromptPay, or cash on delivery.
• LazMall for trusted sellers. LazMall is Lazada's verified seller program, similar to "Ships from and sold by Amazon." These are official brand stores and authorized retailers. If you want to avoid counterfeits, stick to LazMall listings whenever possible.
• Bill payments. This one surprised me. You can pay your electricity bill (MEA Bangkok), water bill, internet bill, and even buy hospital health packages through Lazada. It is like a super-app for payments beyond just shopping.
• English interface. The app and website both work in English. Product listings from Thai sellers are usually in Thai, but product photos typically show what you need and Google Translate handles the rest.

What Takes Getting Used To

• Every item ships separately. If you order five things, you get five separate packages from five different sellers on five different days. There is no "combine my order into one box" option like Amazon. Each seller ships independently. If you order a lot, you will be getting multiple deliveries every day.
• Reviews are mostly in Thai. Product reviews are helpful but almost entirely in Thai. You can use your phone's translate feature to read them, but it adds friction compared to just scanning English reviews on Amazon.
• The interface is overwhelming. Lazada's homepage hits you with flash sales, coins, daily missions, spinning wheels, coupon pop-ups, and animated banners. It feels very Chinese e-commerce. You learn to ignore most of it and just use the search bar, but the first week is sensory overload.
• Package labels show what is inside. Unlike Amazon where everything comes in a generic brown box, Lazada packages often have the product name printed right on the shipping label. Your condo front desk staff, your building security, your delivery driver, they can all see what you ordered. There is zero privacy. This is just how it works here. Nobody seems to care, but it is a cultural adjustment if you are used to discreet Amazon packaging.
• Coupon system is complicated. There are seller coupons, platform coupons, free shipping vouchers, coin discounts, and bank-specific promotions. You can stack multiple coupons on a single order if you figure out the system. It saves real money, but the learning curve is steep. At minimum, always tap "collect" on the free shipping vouchers before checkout.

Shopee: The Other Major Platform

Shopee is Lazada's main competitor. Owned by Sea Group (the company behind Garena and Free Fire), Shopee is actually more popular than Lazada in Thailand by market share. Many Thai sellers list on both platforms, but some are exclusive to one or the other.

Here is the problem: the Shopee app requires a Thai App Store account to download. If you have a US Apple ID, you would need to switch your App Store region to Thailand, which cancels your US subscriptions (including AppleCare), removes access to US-only apps, and creates a mess. It is not worth the hassle.

I use Shopee through the website when I cannot find something on Lazada or when a specific seller only lists on Shopee. The product selection overlaps heavily with Lazada. Pricing is sometimes better on one platform versus the other, so checking both for bigger purchases is worth the extra minute.

Lazada vs Shopee

My recommendation: start with Lazada since the app works without changing your App Store region and the English support is better. Use Shopee's website as a backup when you need to price-compare or find a specific seller.

Returns and Disputes

I have not had to return anything yet, but the return system in Thailand works differently than Amazon's no-questions-asked policy. The standard advice is to record a video of yourself opening every package. If a product arrives damaged, defective, or is not what was advertised, you submit a dispute through the app with your unboxing video as evidence.

This sounds tedious, but it makes sense given the marketplace model. Since every seller is independent, disputes are handled between you and the seller with Lazada or Shopee as the mediator. Having video evidence of the issue speeds up the resolution significantly. Without it, the seller can claim the product was fine when shipped.

• Film yourself opening packages. Especially for electronics, fragile items, and anything expensive. A 30-second unboxing video on your phone is enough.
• Return window is typically 7-15 days. LazMall and Shopee Mall sellers usually offer longer return windows. Third-party sellers vary.
• Refunds go back to your original payment method. Credit card refunds take a few business days. Lazada wallet refunds are instant.

Monthly Mega-Sales

Both Lazada and Shopee run massive sales events tied to the date. 1.1 (January 1st), 2.2 (February 2nd), all the way through 12.12. The biggest ones are 6.6, 9.9, 11.11, and 12.12. These are not gimmicks. The discounts are real, sometimes 30-50% off with stacked coupons and flash deals.

If you have a large purchase planned (electronics, furniture, appliances), it is worth waiting for one of these sale dates. I bought my standing desk on a 9.9 sale for about 40% off the regular price. The sales run for about a week, with the biggest discounts on the actual date.

• 11.11 (Singles Day): The biggest sale of the year. Originates from Alibaba in China. Both Lazada and Shopee go all out. Best time for electronics and big purchases.
• 12.12: Second biggest. Good for year-end stocking up on household items.
• 6.6 Mid-Year Sale: Third biggest. Good deals across all categories.
• Monthly sales (1.1 through 10.10): Smaller but still worthwhile. Always check if a sale is coming up before making a big purchase.

US Brands That Do Not Exist Here

One of the most annoying parts of settling into Thailand is realizing that many of the brands you relied on in the US simply do not exist. The products you used daily, the ones you never even thought about because you just auto-ordered them on Amazon, are not available. You have to research alternatives for things you never expected to think about.

Some examples from my own experience:

• Toilet paper: Charmin does not exist in Thailand. Cellox and Scott are the most common brands here. They are thinner and smaller than what you are used to. Some expats order imported brands through Lazada but they cost three to four times more.
• Paper towels: Bounty is not available. Scott and Kleenex make paper towels here but the quality is different. Many Thai households do not use paper towels at all, relying on cloths and rags instead.
• Deodorant: Your preferred brand may not be available. Nivea, Rexona, and Dove dominate the Thai market. American brands like Native, Schmidt's, or Old Spice are hard to find or overpriced. Stock up before your move or find a Thai brand you like.
• OTC medicine: Tylenol, Advil, and NyQuil as you know them are not in Thai pharmacies. The same active ingredients exist (paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen) under different brand names. Pharmacists in Thailand are helpful and will point you to the right thing if you describe what you need.
• Cleaning supplies: No Clorox, no Windex by the familiar name. The products here work fine but the brands are all different. Expect to spend your first few weeks just figuring out which laundry detergent you like.
• Mattresses and bedding: No Casper, no Purple. Thai mattresses tend to be firmer. Lazada sells imported mattresses from brands like Zinus, but the selection is much smaller than what you find on Amazon US.

The solution is a mix of Lazada for Thai alternatives, Villa Market or Tops for imported Western brands at higher prices, and occasionally having friends or family ship things from the US. After a few months, you find local replacements for most things and stop thinking about it.

Beyond Lazada and Shopee

For specific categories, there are better options than the general marketplaces.

Grocery Delivery

• Tops (Central Group): The most reliable grocery delivery in Bangkok. Good selection of both Thai and imported products. Their website and app work well. Delivery within a few hours.
• Makro: Costco equivalent. Bulk items, restaurant supplies, and household goods. They deliver, but minimum orders apply. Great for stocking up on basics.
• Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus): Budget-friendly grocery delivery. Good for everyday staples. Their app is decent.
• GrabMart: Quick delivery from 7-Eleven, pharmacies, and small grocery stores. Good for "I need one thing right now" orders. Usually arrives in 20-30 minutes.
• Villa Market: The premium imported grocery store. If you need specific Western brands (certain cheeses, American cereal, imported snacks), Villa is where you find them. They deliver through their website. Prices are significantly higher than Thai grocery stores.

The Grab app handles more than just rides. GrabMart for grocery delivery, GrabFood for restaurant delivery, and GrabExpress for sending packages across Bangkok. It is the closest thing to a one-stop delivery app in Thailand.

Electronics

• JIB and Banana IT: Thailand's dedicated electronics retailers. Better for laptops, monitors, PC parts, and peripherals than Lazada marketplace sellers. You get proper warranty coverage and authorized products. Both have physical stores in most malls and online ordering with delivery.
• Power Buy: The electronics section of Central department stores, also available online. Good for appliances, TVs, and home electronics. Often has installment payment plans with Thai bank cards.
• Apple Store (online): Apple has an official Thailand online store. Prices are higher than the US but you get local warranty. iStudio and iCare are the authorized Apple resellers you will find in malls.

Furniture and Home Goods

• IKEA Thailand: Delivers nationwide. Same products as IKEA elsewhere. Useful for furnishing a condo from scratch. The delivery fee depends on order size and distance from the store.
• HomePro: Thailand's Home Depot equivalent. Hardware, tools, home improvement, bathroom fixtures, lighting. They deliver large items. Physical stores are massive.
• SB Furniture and Index Living Mall: Thai furniture brands with good quality at reasonable prices. SB has a more modern design aesthetic. Both deliver.
• NocNoc: Online-only home and furniture marketplace. Similar concept to Wayfair. Good for comparing furniture options across multiple sellers.

Payment Methods

One thing that surprised me: you can use your US credit card for online shopping in Thailand without any issues. Here is what works.

• International Visa/Mastercard: Works on Lazada, Shopee, IKEA, JIB, and most major online retailers. I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve for everything and earn 1x points per dollar on general purchases. No foreign transaction fee.
• PromptPay / QR code: Linked to your Thai bank account. Many online checkouts offer this as a payment option. Instant transfer, no fees. No credit card points earned.
• Cash on delivery (COD): Still available on Lazada and Shopee. The delivery driver collects cash when they drop off the package. Useful when you first arrive and do not have payment methods set up yet.
• Bank transfer: Direct transfer from your Thai bank. Common for smaller shops and independent sellers on social media (many Thai businesses sell through Instagram and LINE, not just marketplaces).
• Installment plans: Available with Thai bank credit cards on larger purchases. Lazada and Shopee both offer 0% installment options for certain amounts and participating bank cards. Not available with foreign cards.

For more on using US credit cards in Thailand, including ATM fees and the PromptPay system, see my credit cards and points guide. If you need to fund your Thai bank account for PromptPay payments, Wise offers the best exchange rates for transfers from the US.

LINE Is Everything

If there is one app that ties all of this together, it is LINE. Not WhatsApp, not iMessage, not Telegram. LINE is the default communication platform in Thailand and it is deeply integrated into shopping, services, and daily life in ways that will surprise you.

Your condo building will message you on LINE when a package arrives. Your cleaning service books through LINE. Restaurants take reservations on LINE. Even grocery stores like Villa Market require you to sign up for their loyalty program through their LINE official account, not a website or a standalone app. You add their LINE, tap a link inside the chat, and register from there.

• Delivery notifications: Lazada, Shopee, and most delivery services send tracking updates through LINE. Your building front desk will LINE you when packages arrive.
• Loyalty programs: Villa Market, Starbucks Thailand, Central department stores, and many other retailers run their loyalty programs through LINE official accounts. You add their LINE and sign up through a link inside the chat.
• Customer service: Many businesses in Thailand handle customer service through LINE chat, not email or phone. If you need to contact a condo management office, a local shop, or a service provider, they will often give you a LINE ID.
• LINE Shopping: LINE has its own shopping platform built into the app. I have not used it extensively, but some Thai sellers list exclusively on LINE Shopping.
• LINE Man: Food delivery, grocery delivery, messenger services, and more. Similar to Grab but integrated into the LINE ecosystem. Popular for food delivery from restaurants that are not on Grab or Foodpanda.
• Payments: LINE Pay (called Rabbit LINE Pay in Thailand) is another mobile payment option accepted at convenience stores, malls, and some restaurants.

Tips for Your First Month

• Download the Lazada app immediately. It works with your US App Store account. Set the language to English. Create an account with your email. Add your condo address and your Thai phone number for delivery notifications.
• Use Shopee through the website. Bookmark shopee.co.th in your mobile browser. Do not change your App Store region.
• Always collect free shipping vouchers before checkout. Both platforms have free shipping coupons you need to manually "collect" before they apply. Check the voucher section on the checkout page. This alone saves you 40-80 THB per order.
• Look for LazMall and Shopee Mall sellers. The verified mall badges mean you are buying from an official brand store. The products are genuine, the return policies are better, and the overall experience is more reliable. Random third-party sellers are hit or miss, especially for electronics and skincare.
• Film your unboxings. Get in the habit of recording a quick video when you open packages. If something is damaged or wrong, the video is your evidence for a dispute. It takes 30 seconds and saves you from being stuck with a defective product.
• Check both platforms before buying. The same product is often listed on both Lazada and Shopee at different prices. For anything over 500 THB (~$16), spend the extra minute searching both. You will frequently find a 10-20% price difference.
• Wait for monthly sales if you can. If it is the 25th of the month and you need a new monitor, waiting six days for the next x.x sale could save you 20-40%. Both platforms announce upcoming sales weeks in advance.
• Read the product dimensions. Sizes in Thailand often run smaller than US equivalents. A "large" desk organizer might be what you consider medium. Check the centimeter measurements in the listing, not just the size label.

What I Wish I Knew Before My First Order

The biggest adjustment is not the platforms themselves. It is the shift from Amazon's "one store, one box, easy returns" model to a true marketplace where every seller operates independently. You are not buying from Lazada. You are buying from hundreds of individual sellers who happen to list on Lazada. Each has their own shipping timeline, return policy, and quality standards.

Once you accept that mental model, it clicks. You start to recognize which sellers are reliable, you learn to check LazMall first, and you figure out the coupon system. After a few weeks, ordering on Lazada feels as natural as Amazon used to. The delivery speed is comparable, the prices are often lower (because the cost of everything in Thailand is lower), and the product selection for your daily needs is more than sufficient.

The one thing you genuinely cannot replicate is Amazon's curated reviews in English and their guaranteed return policy. Thai marketplace reviews are in Thai and returns require more effort. For big purchases, I still rely more heavily on YouTube reviews and Reddit before buying, then find the product on Lazada or at a physical store.

For more on setting up your life in Bangkok, see the cost of living breakdown, the SIM card and eSIM guide, and the bank account guide for setting up PromptPay payments.