I will be in Bangkok next month, and would like to buy a good quality bronze statue of Buddha, probably 9" tall. Where should I look?

buddha.com?

Try hitting the weekend market (at the end of the Skytrain line). Plan to spend the better part of the day there 'cause that place is mind boggling for its selection of SEA crafts.

Great place to take a date, too!

There are numerous gift shops that sell Buddhas along Sukhumvit. One nice one in particular is inside the Soi 5 shopping center. You can also go to the Chatuchak market that Wombat mentions above, open Saturdays and Sundays.

I also recommend the Narayana Phand, directly across Ratchadamri Road from the World Trade Center. I'm positive they'll have exactly what you're looking for in there. Move past the shops in the front on the ground floor and move to the main store in the rear of the building. Then take the escalators up to the second floor. Statues are in the front near the windows (or were six months ago).

Down in Pattaya, headed toward the bus station from the traffic circle, there's a shop that specializes in large, stone buddhas. If you're interested in some of the art from both Thai and Cambodian temples then this place is the jackpot. I believe they can even help with shipping...

Murasaki

Don't recall a Soi 5 shopping center. Are you talking about the small group of shops on the corner of Soi 7? There's also a shop with some ceramic items facing Sukhumvit in that area.

E

If I recall there are fairly strict (at least in terms of what is on the books) export regulations in Thailand regarding Buddha statues; I assume it concerns artifacts from temples and so forth, but check this before you buy anything significant.

LAGuy is right, it is illegal to take any buddha likeness out of the country, not only artifacts. If it is packed and wrapped you shouldn't have a problem, but don't carry it in plain sight, you could have a problem.

Hi guys:

Thanks very much on sources and advice on Buddha. Greatly helpful. Will report back as to how it turned out.

Uh, guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that the restrictions are on the importation of Buddha images (and exportation of antiquities in general).

Buddha images seem to be one of Burma's major industries.

I think your are wrong Wombat. I even asked a thai why it is illegal and why they have problems with buddhas leaving the country, and he said because they are worried that proper care and respect will not be shown to the buddha out of Thailand.

I wasn't aware that I smuggled the Buddha statue I bought from a street vendor in BKK (probably about 8" tall with base, heavy, with a small square of gold leaf, presumably off a real Buddha)--and neither was US customs, who saw it while perusing the contents of my suitcase.

A Thai told me I would have to take care of my Buddha, by putting out food and water for it. They take their Buddha statues seriously.

So, be prepared to make a little temple in your home for your Buddha, and he will take care of you.

The Americans won't care. The only way you would be likely to have a problem is if you had a buddha in your carry-on baggage and it got inspected at security in Thailand.
By the way, it's not only statues. I have a favorita who regularly, especially during a buddha holiday or special day, will buy an extra soda-always with a straw-and fruit, and will make a little arrangement for buddha in the room.