When living abroad, even simple conveniences can become complicated. In the U.S., most people turn to Amazon for everything from pantry staples to power cords. It’s fast and mostly reliable. In Thailand, the experience is different. Amazon isn’t the go-to, and even if you use it, the international fees are so steep they often make you reconsider whether an item is really worth buying that way.
Lazada and Shopee: Thailand’s Amazon Alternatives
In place of Amazon, Lazada and Shopee dominate the Thai online shopping world. Both platforms carry everything from fresh groceries and cookware to phone tripods and furniture. The flash sales and free shipping promos can make things feel like a game.
I primarily use the websites for my orders rather than the apps, and the experiences I describe reflect that. Both sites are easy enough to navigate, though like the apps, they can be cluttered with promos, spinning wheels, and banners that make them feel less streamlined than Amazon.
Lazada tends to be more popular for electronics and household items, while Shopee often leans a little more local, great for hard-to-find snacks, herbs, or personal care products. But functionally, they’re very similar.
One unique feature? Cash on Delivery. It’s still widely offered, a system phased out long ago in the U.S., and can be helpful if you’re not keen on entering your card details or want extra security before paying.
Lazada vs. Shopee: Subtle but Real Differences
If you’re just getting started, here are a few differences that stood out after using both platforms consistently:
Delivery Speed:
Shopee often feels faster and more consistent, especially for items stocked within Thailand. Lazada can be hit or miss, especially when ordering from international sellers.
User Interface:
Shopee’s design feels more minimalist and straightforward. Lazada’s layout is busier, with overlapping promos and banners. It’s manageable, but slightly more chaotic.
Tracking:
Shopee usually updates in real time and feels more accurate. Lazada’s tracking can be vague or delayed, and often doesn’t reflect actual delivery attempts.
Customer Service:
Shopee allows easier direct communication with sellers through chat. Lazada’s support feels more automated and often routes you through preset responses before getting to an actual person, if at all.
Pricing and Promos:
Lazada tends to offer bigger flash sales and brand deals, especially for electronics. Shopee leans into vouchers and coins that stack up with daily use.
Sellers on Lazada can also be unpredictable with pricing. I purchased an item at one price, and minutes later realized I needed more of the same item. When I went back to order, the price had already increased. After the item was delivered, the price was brought back down to the earlier amount. It’s a frustrating quirk that makes you second-guess the timing of your purchases.
I still use Lazada more often, mostly because they offer frequent coupons, and when you stack them, the prices are often better than Shopee. It may not always be the fastest, but the savings usually make it worth the wait.
Return Policies
Another difference worth noting is how returns are handled. On Lazada, each seller has their own return policy. I’ve used it a couple of times and was refunded after the delivery person came back to pick up the products I wanted to return. Shipping or delivery charges, however, are not refunded.
With Amazon, the process is much smoother. Everything is usually refunded. You either print out a return label and ship the item through an Amazon partner, or in some cases, a representative will refund you immediately without requiring you to send the product back at all. That flexibility is something I miss.
The Delivery Experience: Organized Chaos
Tracking packages in Thailand is often an exercise in faith.
Your order might say it is arriving on Friday, only for it to show up Wednesday. Other times, it’s marked “out for delivery” for three days straight. Lazada in particular has its quirks:
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Drivers call before delivery, but sometimes they just hang up when you answer
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They’ll mark the order as “attempted delivery,” even if no one ever came
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You might see tracking updates like “High Parcel Volume” or “Final Attempt,” even though no real attempt was made
I’ve waited at home for three straight days for a package, taking calls, answering immediately, and still being met with disconnects. On the third day, it finally showed up, bundled with another order. No call that time, just a knock on the gate. It left me wondering, if I hadn’t been home, would I have ever received it?
A Note on Cash Orders
If you opt for Cash on Delivery, always have exact change. Drivers rarely carry any. While they’ll do their best to work with you, having the right amount makes the process smoother and kinder.
Once, after I didn’t have the right change, a regular driver suggested a solution. He’d take half the amount in cash and return later when I had the rest. He left the package with me. It happened twice. On one of those occasions, I told him I wouldn’t be home for several days but would leave the remaining money in the mailbox. A week later, I checked, and it was gone. At some point, he had come back and quietly retrieved it. Trust still exists here, even in the small exchanges.
Final Thoughts
Despite the unpredictability, most delivery drivers I’ve interacted with have been kind, patient, and hardworking. The system itself just isn’t as streamlined as what many Americans are used to.
So if you’re planning to shop online in Thailand, the best advice is this, be home, be ready, and be patient.
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