Selling gold?

yeah bent ring is no problem at all, they're just gonna melt it. but here's the thing, if you want to maximize what you get, don't sell it as "damaged" even if they ask. it's 23k, the weight is the weight, the bend doesnt change that. some shops will try to deduct for "repair cost" or whatever, just walk if they do.

fwiw, the price they quote you is per baat weight (15.16g) but that's for gold, not the ring. most rings are like 3-5g so you're looking at maybe 5-7k baht depending on the day. check goldprices.org or the thai gold association site before you go so you know the buy rate, not the sell rate. the spread is usually like 100-200 baht per baat.

and one more thing, if you're not strapped for cash, hold onto it a bit. gold's been on a run lately, and the shop on yaowarat will pay you based on that day's rate anyway. no point rushing if you can wait a week or two for a better number.

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Gold shops on Yaowarat will absolutely buy bent rings, don't worry about that. They weigh the metal and pay per gram based on the daily gold price, which is posted on the board outside most shops. A slight bend won't change the weight, so you'll get the same rate as a perfect ring. They don't care about the shape, they're melting it down anyway.

No receipt needed either, that's normal. The big shops like Hua Seng Heng or Tang Toh Gold will test the gold's purity right there in front of you with a touchstone or acid, then pay cash on the spot. Just make sure you go to a proper shop with a storefront, not a street stall, and check the posted price online first so you know you're getting a fair deal.

If you're not in a rush, walk around and get quotes from two or three shops. The buy price is usually the same across the board, but some might try to shave a bit off if they think you're a tourist. And heads up, they'll quote you per baht weight, which is about 15.16 grams, so a typical ring will be a fraction of that.

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honestly the bend is nothing, they'll test it and weigh it and that's that. but since you mentioned it's from yaowarat, check if the shop you bought it from is still around. some of those old places keep records of their pieces, especially if it has any kind of maker's mark. not for the receipt, but sometimes they'll give you a better rate if they recognize their own work. probably not tho, most just care about the weight.

fwiw, the daily price board outside hua seng heng is usually the most accurate one on the street. the smaller shops will post a slightly different number but it's within like 50 baht per baat. don't get hung up on the exact shop tho, just pick one with a glass counter and a security guard, those are the serious ones.

one thing nobody said, if the ring has any stones in it, take them out before you go. even tiny diamonds or rubies, they'll deduct for the setting and you'll get nothing for the stones. 23k is soft enough that a car door bend is just cosmetic, but if there's a stone, the prongs might be loose now anyway.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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