Villa Market in Thailand

[hillbilly]

Holy cow am I in trouble! The problem is that a brand spanking new BIG Villa Market just opened up in my moobaan on 10-10-10. The location is Ramkhamhaeng Road, Soi 112 or commonly known as Moobaan Sammakorn. This Western style grocery store located throughout much of Thailand offers most of my culinary needs. However, there is a price.

I saw British, Ozzie, New Zealand, Mexican and Italian supplies in addition to my American staples. After over a decade of living here in Bangkok and only going to the other Villa stores a fair distance from my house about every six months; this one is only about a four minute motorcycle ride from my house.

The last few days I have been spending over B1000 per day just shopping.

My oven and cast iron skillet have been plum hot this past week.

The wife is not pleased with my new hobby...


An old saying states that there are three stages to a man's life.

• Sex
• A good meal
• A good shit

I am teetering on the edge...

[Nostradamus]

Always check the sell-by date carefully. They are renowned for changing the dates on produce they can't shift.

[taxexile]

they opened one in hua hin a few months ago, its very easy to rack up a 4 figure bill in there.

after a few very expensive visits we now limit our purchases there to sliced roast beef for sandwiches (excellent and reasonably priced) and some very good sour yoghurt (that comes in red topped containers)

although the baht is getting stronger and stronger, the price of imports there still seems to be going up and up.

ive lived without most imported foodstuff for 5 years now, and villa just seem to be taking the piss with their pricing on some lines, and who really needs all that processed stuff anyway ??

[Nostradamus]

villa just seem to be taking the piss with their pricing on some lines

Funnily enough, they are!

All the supermarkets that cater to foreigners are guilty of it though.

although the baht is getting stronger and stronger, the price of imports there still seems to be going up and up.

Inflation is forcing up prices, nobody has the money to buy the expensive stuff, there are less foreigners in Thailand and less customer base and thus less is being sold. Additionally the price of logistics is rising in tandem with inflation and you have your reason.

[hillbilly]

My problem is that after taking my daughter to the states for a year to experience the American culture; she also likes the American food.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't...

[Nostradamus]

I stayed too close to Foodland before and was guilty of spending vast amounts on grocery shopping, much the same as you are doing now.

Now I limit myself to a supermarket shop once a week at most. I use local markets for fresh produce and eat locally, splurging occasionally.

When I get this kitchen I am building sorted I will be cooking for myself more often and eating healthier too.

[hillbilly]

Price gouging I know. My daughter loves Dr Pepper an American soft drink. In the states one can buy a 12 oz. can for 25 cents. Here at Villa each can comes with its own barcode. A hell of lot more than a 1/4 of a dollar. I want to say about B50-60 per can. More than double the costs in the states.

Right now there is a six-pack of Dr Pepper in my daughter's fridge...

[The Fresh Prince]

When I get this kitchen I am building sorted I will be cooking for myself more often and eating healthier too.

And spending more at over pried western style supermarkets. Its a vicious circle.

[The Fresh Prince]

Right now there is a six-pack of Dr Pepper in my daughter's fridge...

Holy crap, they've got Dr Pepper now!!!!

[SEA Traveler]

Dr. Pepper is also one of my favorites but I can also purchase 2 beers for 60 baht so not much of a decision...

[Humbert]

Villa is higher than competition on practically everything. I will only patronize them on items I can't buy other places. Sometimes they carry Triscuit and Wheat Thins, items you can't buy anyplace else.

[Nostradamus]

Right now there is a six-pack of Dr Pepper in my daughter's fridge...

Holy crap, they've got Dr Pepper now!!!!

Damn! I am off to buy some later!

Which is the nearest Villa to Silom?

[nedwalk]

my daughter's fridge...

your daughter has a fridge?...mate!!

[Nostradamus]

Found it.

[Marmite the Dog]

Now that I'm not an alky living close to a Villa I don't find the need to but over processed crap from 'home'.

[Travelmate]

Villa way over priced!!

[wefearourdespot]

The Villa Market here in Pattaya is almost always empty. It actually has nothing I can't find also in Food Land or Friendship and its prices are on average 15% higher

[The Fresh Prince]

Found it.

Sweeet! Cheers, let us know if its 24hour like the others, I can make that my way home from work. Check if they have parking as well.

[Nostradamus]

^ will do.

[phomsanuk]

The Villa Market here in Pattaya is almost always empty. It actually has nothing I can't find also in Food Land or Friendship and its prices are on average 15% higher

Agree But all imports are expensive, still cheaper than a trip to their origin

[Bangyai]

They opened a 24 hour Max Value just down the road a while back with a Yamazaki bakery. Found it better that Villa although the rare lines move blindingly fast so its a case of grab it when you see it. Saw some Indian mango chutney in there one day. Decided to get some the next day ....... gone .

[Bettyboo]

Sliced beef
Coleslaw
Scotch Eggs
Pies
proper Crisps
Cheeses
US super fattening Popcorns

& the biggie: the only place I know with BRANSTON PICKLE!!!

What's not to like about villa, except the prices and the out of date tendancy...

[The Fresh Prince]

Saw some Indian mango chutney in there one day.

My mates dad gets the best Indian mango chutneys, the sweet and the spicy. I'll ask him where he gets it from.

Pies

I've never tried their pies, what are they like?

[Bettyboo]

^ they had 3 or 4 different types. I'm sure I remember Big John's pies (nice), the company where the owner/founder sadly passed away recently (nice too), and another brand or two. All fine, and a decent variety (opposite Emporium I'm talking about which I believe is the top dog).

The problem is that you fill the freezer up with a dozen or so, then you pop in for a pie a week or 2 later, and they're all gone...

The Scotch Eggs are good too. Showing my class here - Papillion shopuld be along to call me a 'BNP chavs' some time soon.

[Marmite the Dog]

Big John's pies (nice)

Is that 'nice' as it utter shite?