Petit Mache, À la Campagne’s retail store sells hamdmade products, home furnishings and tropical essentials
Fast emerging as a fashion force to be reckoned with in the region, Thailand is pulling out all the stops in its bid to attract no fewer than 40 million international visitors by the end of 2025. Despite its recent troubles, particularly the devastating aftershocks of the March earthquake that struck Myanmar, the country, once again, displayed its resilience. The recent Songkran festivities drew thousands of international holidaymakers while its homegrown brands are consistently upping the ante to cement Thailand’s allure as a truly global lifestyle destination. Looking at the return of tourists who consistently demand more experiential and immersive retail encounters, here are two suggestions to check out the next time you head north.
Country Chic
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What: Petit Mache at À la Campagne
Where: 21/2 Moo 1, Najomtien, Sattahip, Chonburi, Pattaya
What time: Daily, 10am to 8pm (Monday to Thursday) and until 9pm (Friday to Sunday)
Why: No, we are not referring to the 1995 French film directed by Manuel Poirier but rather a lovely little slice of French countryside life in — gasp — Pattaya.
Once reviled for its seedy reputation, the beachside holiday town has definitely smartened up. Cool cafés are sprouting everywhere, but for an immersive experience complete with numerous opportunities to indulge in a spot of shopping, À la Campagne, along the main arterial Sukhumvit Road, is where you want to be.
If it were not for the heat and humidity, you would be forgiven for thinking you had walked through a portal and ended up in Europe instead. Resembling a little village, À la Campagne is primarily an F&B hub and offers all manner of temptations and libations, from wine and unique cocktails at Le Rouge to superlative Thai fare at Somtum Villa and Western cuisine and afternoon tea sets, complemented by imported tea from more than 10 countries, at Tea Factory & More, which is inspired by an old tea plantation setup in Sri Lanka. Tour the landscaped as well as vegetable gardens; those travelling with young children will enjoy the play area, water fountains and an on-site hen house where you can buy free-range eggs and let the little ones feed the cluckers as they peck around your feet.
However, those with an eye for sourcing treasure know to make an immediate beeline for Petit Mache, À la Campagne’s charming little retail store. Set up like a village marketplace, it stocks a wide variety of handmade products, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and accessories either designed and produced by Thailand’s next generation of artists and local community initiatives or sourced from the owner’s travels. Home furnishings such as candles, flea market antiques, artisanal beer and honey soaps, and wooden kitchen implements abound, but there is an equally extensive range of tropical essentials, including cotton and linen scarves, straw bags and carryalls, and the all-important hats to shield you from the searing sun.
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Capital Idea
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What: Jim Thompson Lifestyle Store
Where: The Storeys, One Bangkok, Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
What time: Daily, 11am to 9pm
Why: James Harrison Wilson Thompson’s name continues to be the stuff of mystery and conspiracy theories from when he vanished after a post-meal walk in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, in 1967.
Some locals assert he was a CIA operative who was kidnapped and murdered by communist insurgents while others say he was eaten by a tiger. In Thailand, however, Jim Thompson has become a household name and a byword for fine silk (he was credited with singlehandedly reviving the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and 1960s). Now, the Jim Thompson company is charging ahead with aggressive expansion plans, most recently opening the Jim Thompson Lifestyle Store in late 2024 at the shiny new One Bangkok, an integrated hub dedicated to retail, business and arts and culture.
Seeking to expand its reach beyond fabric products, the company is slowly but surely evolving into a global lifestyle brand. Given its roots are inextricably entrenched in Thailand, what better way to complement its silk offerings than with the country’s celebrated cuisine? Visitors to The Storeys would no doubt be captivated by the duplex store that spans 550 sq m. The ground level features a comprehensive selection of fashion and accessories while the first level is devoted to The Silk Exhibition, which explores the brand’s history, heritage, textiles and craftsmanship, as well as Jim’s Terrace, a contemporary restaurant that offers stunning views of One Bangkok and its surroundings, including the historic century-old Wireless House, a permanent showcase that pays tribute to Thailand’s first telegraph station.
Refresh yourself after a tiring session of shopping for your next resort jaunt with tall glasses of fresh lime juice (or natural Thai honey wine from Chiang Dao, perhaps?) and traditional snacks and noodles before walking out to explore One Bangkok’s famed Art Loop, a 2km route that takes you through the entire development’s permanent public artworks, including a sculpture each by Anish Kapoor and Tony Cragg, an extensive art collection and creative programmes.
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This story first appeared on Apr 21, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
