Dude, this sounds so familiar. I haven't done much shopping in Thailand so I can't comment, but I can compare to China... and I really dislike shopping sometimes. I have been to look around the Jade markets (it was a huge mall) and I wasn't ever left alone. I had them almost forcing me to follow them around and show me their stuff and want me to buy etc... as I am a westerner they assume I am loaded. Even having me sit down in the back, drink tea and go through their prices, after me saying no over and over. Well, having the tea was a good experience. But I prefer to be let alone, or asked, and then left alone if I do not want help.

Then I step outside and am ambushed by Chinese men trying to sell me watches, shoes, suits etc. This is NOT in all of the areas, just the busy market/mall district, which I can understand in some ways. But sometimes it makes me a bit uncomfortable