For better or worse, the US is one of the great bargain sites right now thanks to the weak dollar. I was amazed at how much LESS expensive US prices are when I went back to Tokyo last august. There're a few things you can't find here in the US but by and large everything you can get in Akihabara you can get here for less money. I'm not sure about Singapore and Thailand but I can definitely say that Tokyo is no bargain paradise. It is a LOT of fun and I love Electric Town, but if you're looking to save $$$, don't go there. IMO the only way to really save a lot these days is to go to Taiwan or China and purchase off-branded merchandise.