Lazada and Shopee are the two platforms that replaced weekend market shopping for most Chiang Mai residents. Cheap, fast enough, and searchable in English if you know the trick. Getting set up as a foreigner takes an afternoon. Using them well takes a few orders to calibrate. This guide covers both.
Lazada vs Shopee: Which to Use
Most long-term residents in Chiang Mai use both. Each has different strengths:
| Feature | Lazada | Shopee |
|---|---|---|
| English interface | Better | Good, some Thai |
| International brands | Stronger | Moderate |
| Price competition | Good | Often cheaper |
| Electronics selection | Strong | Very strong |
| Household goods | Good | Very strong |
| Foreign card payment | Yes (Visa/MC) | Yes (Visa/MC) |
| COD option | Yes | Yes |
| 7-Eleven payment | Yes | Yes |
| App quality | Solid | Solid |
For a newcomer: start with Lazada for its better English interface and international brand coverage. Add Shopee once you want to compare prices or find local Thai products and household goods that local sellers list heavily on Shopee.
Setting Up Without a Thai Bank Account
The good news: you do not need a Thai bank account to use either platform from day one. Three options work immediately for foreigners:
Cash on Delivery (COD)
Both platforms offer COD on most items from most sellers. You pay the delivery rider in cash when the package arrives. The limitation is that not every seller enables COD, and COD is not available for large or high-value items. Filter by COD option in the app when searching if this is your only payment method.
Practical note: COD delivery riders sometimes call ahead. Have change ready. If you are in a condo building with a front desk, the rider may leave the package there, which simplifies things.
Payment at 7-Eleven
At checkout, select "Counter Service" or "7-Eleven" as your payment method. You receive a barcode and a reference number. Take that to any 7-Eleven, scan at the counter, pay cash. The order confirms once payment is received, typically within an hour. Works for both Lazada and Shopee. Extremely reliable. The 7-Eleven clerk has done this ten thousand times and will process it without confusion.
Foreign Visa or Mastercard
Both platforms accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Register your card in the payment section of the app. Some cards trigger a foreign transaction flag on the first use; a quick message to your bank before the first order can prevent a temporary block. Works smoothly once cleared.
Searching in English
Both apps are searchable in English for most product categories. Electronics, clothing, and household goods have English listings because sellers know international buyers search in English. Where it gets murky: local Thai products, kitchen appliances with Thai-specific features, and traditional items. For these, Google Translate camera mode pointed at a product description page works well enough.
Search tip: English searches sometimes surface fewer results than the Thai equivalent. If you cannot find something, try a Thai translation of the product name. Google Translate text input, copy and paste into the search bar.
Delivery to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is well-served for e-commerce logistics. Standard delivery times:
- From Bangkok sellers: 2-4 days standard, 1-2 days express
- From Chiang Mai local sellers: 1-2 days, sometimes same day
- From overseas (China, international): 7-21 days depending on seller
Delivery address: use GPS pin or your full Thai address. If you live in a moo baan or condo, include the building/village name in Thai in the notes field. Kerry Express, J&T Express, Flash Express, and Thailand Post are the main carriers. All deliver to residential addresses Monday-Saturday. Most leave packages with building security or a front desk if you are not home.
Watch for: "Ships from overseas" listings on both platforms. These look like normal Thai sellers but the product ships from China. Delivery takes 10-21 days and returns are effectively impossible. Check the seller's location before ordering. It is listed on each product page.
Checking Seller Quality
Platform-wide seller ratings are the most important filter. Both Lazada and Shopee show a seller rating score and review count. The reliable minimum: 4.7+ stars with 100+ reviews. Below that, check individual product reviews carefully.
Photo reviews (photos attached to written reviews) are more reliable than text-only reviews. Look for photos that show the actual received product, not the listing photo. Discrepancy between listing photo and review photos is the main warning sign for low-quality sellers.
Official brand stores (marked "Official Store" on Lazada, "Mall" designation on Shopee) are safe for electronics and branded goods. Prices will be slightly higher than grey-market sellers but the product is genuine.
Returns
Returns are technically available on both platforms but the process is designed to be just inconvenient enough that you think twice. The steps:
- Open the order in the app and select "Return/Refund" within the return window (usually 7-15 days after receipt)
- Upload photos of the defective or incorrect item
- Wait for seller approval (can take 1-3 days)
- Drop the package at a designated return point (Kerry Express counter, post office, or some 7-Elevens)
- Wait for refund confirmation (3-7 business days after package received)
The whole process takes 1-2 weeks and involves a trip to a courier counter. Worth doing for expensive items with genuine defects. Not worth it for a 50 THB item that came in the wrong colour.
Better strategy: buy from sellers with the "Shopee Guarantee" or "LazMall" badge. These platforms hold payment until you confirm receipt, and disputes with verified sellers resolve faster.
Sale Days
Both platforms run coordinated sale events on double-digit dates throughout the year. These are genuine, with real discounts on stocked items (not inflated pre-sale prices followed by fake discounts, though some sellers do this).
- 9.9: September 9. Back-to-school and seasonal sales.
- 10.10: October 10. Good for electronics.
- 11.11: November 11 (Singles Day). The biggest sale of the year. Significant discounts across all categories.
- 12.12: December 12. Year-end clearance. Strong for household goods.
Add items to your cart in advance. During the sale, checkout with pre-added items rather than browsing during the peak. The apps get slow during the first hour of major sales.
What to Buy vs What to Avoid
Good buys on Lazada and Shopee in Thailand:
- Electronics (fans, lights, cables, adapters) from Official Stores
- Household goods (storage, cleaning, kitchen basics)
- Motorcycle and car accessories
- Clothing from established Thai brands
- Supplements and beauty products from Official brand stores
- Books (English titles available on Lazada especially)
Be more careful with:
- Medications and health supplements from unknown sellers (counterfeits exist)
- Electrical items (check voltage: Thailand runs 220V)
- Clothing from China-based sellers (sizing differs significantly)
- Anything described as "imported" with no brand or certification details
Guru Tip
When searching for a Thai-market product with no English name, use Google Lens on a photo from another website, get the Thai characters, paste into the search bar. Works far better than trying to transliterate or describe the item in English. Thai sellers list in Thai; searching in Thai finds everything.
Bottom Line
- Both platforms work without a Thai bank account from day one. Use COD or 7-Eleven payment to start.
- Lazada for English interface and international brands. Shopee for price competition and local goods.
- Check seller rating (4.7+ stars, 100+ reviews) before ordering from any non-Official store.
- Standard Chiang Mai delivery: 2-4 days. Local sellers: 1-2 days.
- Plan major purchases around 11.11 or 12.12 for the best discounts.
Related guides: Living Better in Thailand hub and Residency Certificate (needed for some bank account applications that unlock all payment options).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners use Lazada and Shopee in Thailand?
Yes. Both platforms work with foreign phone numbers and addresses. You will need a Thai SIM card for OTP verification during registration. Most payment methods including international credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfer work on both platforms.
Which is better: Lazada or Shopee in Thailand?
Both are worth having. Shopee generally has lower base prices on everyday items. Lazada has stronger brand presence and LazMall for official brand stores. Price comparison between the two on the same item takes 60 seconds and often saves significant money.
How do I pay on Lazada and Shopee in Thailand?
Both platforms accept major international credit and debit cards, Thai bank transfer, TrueMoney Wallet, and cash on delivery. Cash on delivery is available for most domestic items and is useful if you are cautious about using cards online with Thai platforms.
How long does delivery take from Lazada and Shopee in Chiang Mai?
Standard delivery from Thai sellers is 2-5 days. Flash Express, J&T, and Kerry are the main couriers. Some sellers offer next-day or same-day delivery in Chiang Mai. Cross-border items from China take 7-21 days depending on the shipping option selected.
Can I return items to Lazada or Shopee in Thailand?
Yes. Both platforms have return policies. The process is managed through the app. Raise a return request within the return window (usually 7-15 days after delivery), select a reason, and drop off at the specified courier location. Refunds are returned to your original payment method or platform wallet.
Guru Tip
Both platforms run flash sales on the 10th, 11th, 12th of each month and major calendar dates. If you are not in a rush for an item, add it to your cart and wait for a sale date. The discount on regular platform sale days can be 30-60% on the same item. The 11.11 and 12.12 sales in particular are when the biggest discounts appear across both platforms.
