Reviews of spices from Thailand. What do people usually bring with them from vacation?

What to bring from Thailand? There is no such tourist who will ignore gifts from overseas and return to his native land without memorable symbols. Even the most practical and economical traveler will want to purchase a reminder of the exotic Asian state. There are plenty of such reminders in the Kingdom of Thailand. For some, magnets and souvenir plates are enough. Give cosmetics and clothes to others. Still others specifically go for pharmaceuticals, while others calculate their budget so that they have enough money for electronics.

As in any country designed for tourists, Thailand has many shops with souvenirs. The lion's share of products are trinkets that cost 30-40 baht (30-40 rubles). You have to bargain with the Thais. If you buy many souvenirs from one seller at once, you can make a significant profit by reducing the cost to 60-70%.

What souvenirs do tourists bring home? Here is just a sample list with approximate prices:

• fans (20-30 baht);
• coins (from 50 baht);
• plates (210-600 baht);
• bracelets (from 60 baht);
• boxes (220-700 baht);
• magnets and keychains (20-180 baht);
• office with symbols of the kingdom (160-1800 baht);
• scented candles and stands for them (from 30 baht and above);
• figurines of Buddha, other gods and elephants, as well as sea inhabitants (75 - 4000 baht).

Cloth

The Thais sew high-quality and relatively inexpensive wardrobe items for any size. For example, a T-shirt costs 70 baht, and jeans cost 250 baht. At night, prices are even lower. Therefore, if the goal is to save money, then you need to storm the night bazaars. And bargain, bargain, bargain. By the way, most of the clothes are made from natural materials.

There are also things from famous brands in the country, but there is no point in purchasing them here. The cost is approximately the same as in Russia.

Regardless of the place of purchase and prices, you must not let your guard down. Pickpockets operate both in markets and in shopping centers. During the tourist season, the flow is so great that crowding is possible. In a crowd it is difficult to identify a fraudster, so you have to be constantly on the alert.

Leather

Popular among tourists Leather Products. For example, a jacket made from python will cost 53 thousand baht, from ostrich - 63 thousand, and from a snake - 18 thousand and more.

Crocodile and stingray clutches (from 7,000), belts (from 1,000), smartphone cases (from 2,000 baht), wallets (from 800), and shoes are also in demand. Leather products can be found in bazaars and stores. The advantage of markets is that you can bargain there. Any product, provided it is natural, will be of high quality and will last a long time.

It's easy to spot a fake:

• leatherette does not heat up when touched;
• the substitute can be easily pierced with a sharp needle;
• the pattern of natural material is unique and inimitable;
• substitutes are usually smooth, without bumps or irregularities.

By the way, crocodile is considered the most expensive material. Things made from it have a characteristic lumpy texture.

Products

• chocolate from this very tea;
• seasonings for soups spicy paste Tom Yam.

Tea

About thai tea worth telling in a separate paragraph. The country has many varieties that can be purchased anywhere - at the market, night bazaar, shopping center, shops. The average cost for 100 grams is 150-300 baht.

Most Popular:

ethnoscience

Alternative medicine is considered the unspoken birthplace of Thailand. Tourists sweep away pharmaceutical counters. The most popular are “sniffers” - these are miniature inhalers that clear the nose and at the same time invigorate. They cost pennies - 7-11 baht.

Second hot commodity- Thai ointment. Its second name is tiger balm. The ointment can be green, yellow, black, red, etc. The main purpose is to heal joint and muscle pain. At the same time, red balms have a burning, warming effect. The smell is reminiscent of the Vietnamese “Zvezdochka”, popular among Russians of all generations. Learn more about Thai ointments and balms.

In addition, they take home:

• creams;
• herbs;
• tinctures;
• vitamin complexes;
• diet pills;
• Thai toothpaste, which foams strongly and is very economical.

In addition to all of the above, “charged” amulets and necklaces for lower back ailments, teas and capsules with herbs for various diseases are in demand. Noni juice is also popular.


It is prepared from the fruits of the plant of the same name. The second name of the noni plant is Indian mulberry. The drink is believed to have anti-cancer properties.

Many locals learned Russian a long time ago. So there shouldn't be any problems.

Cosmetics

The basic principle cosmetics, which are produced in Thailand - naturalness. All of them are prepared on the basis of herbs, sea ​​salt and oils.

The most popular colors are black and gold, from 10 mm in diameter. An average thread costs about 2,000 baht. For earrings you will have to pay from 1000 baht. These are store prices. In the bazaars, stones are sold from 250 baht, and the upper threshold rarely exceeds 1000 banknotes.

It is easy to distinguish a fake - just rub the pearl. The real enamel will remain in place, but the fake one will be erased. If you rub natural stones against each other, you will feel the roughness. The fake is smooth and glides well. In addition, real pearls, if thrown on the ground, will bounce, but plastic ones will roll.

However, you shouldn’t buy gifts for yourself and your family in the first souvenir department you come across. There is a high risk of running into a fake. It is better to study the information in advance on how to distinguish the original from the fake. And the market should prefer a specialized store.

In addition to jewelry products, the Thais are ready to offer their guests high-quality jewelry made from shells, wood, coconut and semi-precious stones. These can be beads, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. In a word, jewelry for every taste. They are all very cheap and tourists buy them actively and a lot.

Electronics

As you can see, in Thailand there is plenty to choose from for souvenirs and other keepsakes. The main thing is to avoid being overweight at the airport when leaving. To do this, you should calculate the weight in advance, taking only the required minimum on your trip.

THIS ARTICLE TALKS IN DETAIL ABOUT…
1. Traditional textiles
2. Cosmetics
3. Coconut oil
4. Matting wipes
5. Salt deodorant
6. Medicines
7. Food souvenirs for gourmets
8. Toothpaste
9. Clothes for adults and children
10. Whitening products
11. Pearl
12. Latex products
13. Wood products
14. Shell jewelry
15. Musical instruments
16. Small souvenirs as gifts for family and friends

I would like to note that the things I will talk about are quite difficult to classify as ordinary souvenirs. Rather, this is what I somehow discovered on Thai shelves during two winters in this sunny country. I came across some things by accident, took a long time to choose some in local stores, some were advised to me by other long-term neighbors, and some were acquired by trial and error. It got to the point that one day I bought glue for dentures, instead of toothpaste)) And my neighbor accidentally bought a whitening deodorant, with which she whitened all her armpits, after which they began to glow like lanterns on her tanned body, as soon as she raised her hands , and this had to be done often with a small and active child :)

In general, there are many incidents. And so that you don’t end up in similar situations, I will give clear and proven recommendations on what you can bring from this exotic country. Cheap, practical, unusual and purely Thai, something that is practically impossible to buy in Russia.

1. Traditional textiles

Probably not everyone needs something like this, but I really love any clothes with the national flavor of a particular country. It’s not a fact that I’ll ever pull it off, but at least as a trophy I definitely need something =) I’m not a shopaholic at all, i.e. accusing me of wasting money is unlikely to work, but then at home, in an ordinary environment, where everything is boring, such things bring me a special warmth of memories. I especially have this kind of “friendship” with all kinds of scarves and scarves. Here in the photo I have a scarf with traditional patterns and Thai elephants =) And even though I used it almost instead of a towel on the beach, it did not lose any of its quality or its charm.

Speaking of beaches, the best of the best Thai beaches are in Krabi and Phuket - mine and colorful photos confirm this fact;)

It happens that I take different national clothes to use on filming in the future. For example, this silk shirt is part of a children's samurai costume. In it, later I photographed Mishutka with a sword in her hands, it turned out to be a very unusual photo shoot. In terms of prices, you don’t need to focus on me too much, because... Such things are usually sold in numerous stalls in all sorts of Thai markets for tourists, so you should bargain and literally shake out the sellers for a 2-3 times discount. I bought a scarf for 150 baht and a suit for 250 baht, but the original price, of course, was much more.

2. Boots cosmetics

I came across this cosmetics completely by accident. I was once in a Thai pharmacy, and there were entire shelves filled with products from this company. I decided to try some facial product because... I usually don’t carry all sorts of washbasins with me, but when I live on the spot for several months, they are still necessary. The product turned out to be amazing!

Later I found out that the brand of this cosmetics is already about 150 years old, and the company is English. There are many Boots stores in London. It’s just that they have established production in Thailand, which is why Boots products are sold in huge quantities. This cosmetics is famous for its natural ingredients and excellent quality. From my own experience, I can say that these products are truly some of the best I have ever used. But personally, I would also glorify the price :) Because, for example, the huge “washing basin” that I have in the photo costs only 70 baht, and a little green scrub costs 40 baht. If you consider that this company has a lot of products not only for the face, but also for hair and body, then you understand that you can get a great deal by taking home a bunch of amazing care products;)

3. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a fairly popular purchase among tourists. And I, too, fell for the admiring reviews of others about this miracle remedy. I can say it's natural Coconut oil It can really be used both as a hair mask and as a moisturizer for the skin, and I also use it for the skin around the eyes, because... it's incredibly softening delicate skin, and also nourishes it with useful microelements. Natural coconut oil doesn't come cheap. To be honest, I don’t know how much they sell it for in all sorts of factories where tourists are usually taken, but in the cosmetic departments of Tesco Lotus the prices are around 100-150 baht for a small bottle, as in my photo.

In general, when it comes to excursions in Thailand, I don’t like to turn to guides from tour operators who only take you to their places where they receive a commission. I usually prefer to order - it's simple, reliable and exclusive. Moreover, a small payment is taken only for booking, the rest of the amount is paid to the guide on the spot after the excursion. It turns out a completely different and deeper look at the land of smiles!

The naturalness of coconut oil can be easily checked as follows: at temperatures below +24 degrees it becomes white and thick. Again, I can see this in the photo, because... Our temperature at home is usually lower. In the hot climate of Thailand, the oil is usually liquid and transparent. Moreover, I didn’t know about this feature before; the oil I bought was always liquid in my house in Krabi, but at home in Russia it suddenly became so white. After which I went to Google on this topic, reading about naturalness :) I was glad that I didn’t buy a fake. By the way, in the summer my bottles “thaw” and the oil becomes liquid again.

4. Matting wipes

And so, in the well-known 7Eleven store, I accidentally saw a small pack of something for the face. It cost only 15 baht, so it’s not expensive to take for testing. Having unwrapped it at home, I suddenly found exactly the same napkins inside! They are made from thin rice paper, which perfectly absorbs any moisture, including all excess from oily skin. One such inexpensive pack contains a hundred, or maybe even two, of these napkins, because... They are incredibly thin, literally transparent, so they don’t take up much space. It's surprising that the price varies so much compared to global cosmetics manufacturers! I’m afraid that this idea is far from theirs; most likely it was stolen from the Asians. And in Thailand, these useful napkins can be bought for literally pennies. I recommend!

5. Crystal deodorant

This is the biggest treasure I came across in Thailand. I have no idea why they don’t sell it everywhere here, but this is a real find! I saw the same salt deodorant in some online stores, but it costs from five hundred rubles, although in Thailand prices average 50-80 baht.

I have tried all kinds of deodorants in my life, but I have never achieved the desired effect - so that my armpits are dry and completely odorless. Both roll-on and dry and sprays are complete garbage. Honestly, I don’t understand why they are still producing all this and I hope someday the demand for them will drop to zero, so that there will be no more reason to put this kind of thing on store shelves.

Salt deodorant consists of a crystal of ammonium salt, which perfectly absorbs all sweat, and also has the property of having a detrimental effect on bacterial cells, whose vital activity is the source unpleasant odor. Literally every morning after a shower I think about how I will live without this deodorant) But, fortunately, it lasts for a long time, I’ve been using it for the second year and I’m not even halfway through it. In addition, there are reserves, because... I collected it for gifts, but I couldn’t give it to everyone, so this stuff will last me at least another three years;)

6. Medicines

I will not write that all Thai drugs are good, I will only tell you about betadine, which I liked, and about tiger balm - a panacea for all ills, according to the Thais. These products are very cheap, no more than 50 baht, and you can buy them at any Thai pharmacy.

Betadine is iodine glue, as I call it. That is, the iodine solution is weaker than our regular iodine, but it performs the same function. But its main difference is its adhesive structure, thanks to which a cut or wound is not only neutralized by iodine, but also covered with a film of dried glue, protecting the wound from moisture and dirt getting into it. Truly a mega product for moms! Any children's cuts and bruises heal well under such protection. This is especially true at sea, when you can scratch yourself on any pebble, but you can continue swimming without fear that water will get into the wound. But I still recommend taking out insurance in advance, especially since you can buy the policy at the most favorable price. At least that's how we always do it.

Seven troubles - one answer. That's what the Thais would say about their tiger balm. In fact, this is nothing more than the Vietnamese “star” familiar to many from childhood. That is, the same yellow, sharp-smelling ointment, which contains menthol, camphor and other oils medicinal plants. This ointment was invented in China several centuries ago and its recipe was kept secret for a long time. But, in the end, everything secret becomes clear, and due to the proximity South-East Asia, now this remedy is widespread here too. I can say from my own experience that Thais really use this ointment for everything - for runny noses, for headaches, for burns, for cuts, for muscle pain and sprains, for insect bites and in a million other cases. As a girl I know once said: “Perhaps they don’t use it for constipation, but who knows...”:) At home, I take tiger balm mainly when I have a runny nose, plus as a healing agent for wounds (when they have already healed a little). It costs a penny, but will last for years, because... consumption is simply minimal. This balm is especially good as a gift for elderly relatives - elderly parents, grandparents.

7. Souvenirs for gourmets

Let's move on to the products. Coconut milk is one of my favorite flavor pleasures. Moreover, during the first winter I had difficulty even digesting its smell, but in the second year I decided to try it and in the end I was imbued with the most tender love for it :) Mom recently went to Thailand, so the only thing I asked her to bring was this coconut milk. The photo shows the unopened last box of her gifts =) In general, I’m not sure that you will appreciate its taste the first time, but I still advise you to try it at least once. It is in these boxes, of varying volumes (up to 1 liter), that coconut milk is sold in all shops 7Eleven. So finding it won't be a problem.

And since we're talking about unusual Thai food, then I also recommend trying it, or taking it as souvenirs to friends and family, durian sweets or sweet seaweed crackers. I know, it sounds terrible, but everything is quite edible) And if I have mastered this, who can only eat borscht and dumplings, then for lovers of all kinds of exotic food and other gourmets, it will be a very interesting experience;) You can also take home a traditional sour -sweet Thai sauce and fish sauce so that you can prepare your favorite Thai dishes at home. I wrote about what you can eat in Thailand in my article, where you will also find links to recipes that I was taught at a Thai culinary school.

You can buy all of the above products at any 7Eleven. All of these are securely sealed and long-lasting products, so you can take them home without any problems. Nothing is taken away at the airport :)

8. Toothpaste with natural ingredients

To be honest, this toothpaste was presented to me. But it really has a very refreshing effect, the breath of mint in it is just off the charts. One of the features of this paste is that it is a dirty gray color, like cement. This is a little confusing, because... It seems that brushing with a toothpaste of this color is unlikely to make your teeth whiter. But in fact, this is not the first time I have come across natural Asian toothpaste - once in India I was also surprised by the similar color of the local toothpaste, which I purchased in order to have the same white-toothed smile as the Indians :)

The only caveat is that such whitening pastes cannot be used daily. Otherwise, you will grind the enamel into powder, so decide whether the game is worth the candle. I use it once a week, I didn’t feel any particular whitening effect, but I really like the freshness effect. Knowledgeable people still advise purchasing natural Thai herbal pastes, but without a whitening effect. Well, if you still want to bleach, because... Again, according to reviews (but from others), the result is stunning, then just try not to brush your teeth with this paste, because... You can actually feel the small particles “scratching” the enamel in it, but just apply and hold for 1-2 minutes. You can buy similar pastes in Thai pharmacies, the average price is 50 baht.

9. Clothing brand “F&F”

Another point that I can’t ignore, because every time I literally buy everything from this company. Not only for yourself and your child, but also for your sister and friends. This clothing brand is designed for the Western market; it is sold only in the Tesco Lotus chain of stores, which are located not only in Thailand, but throughout Europe. The quality of these clothes is excellent, and the prices are simply ridiculous. When I first saw children's clothing from this company, I was amazed - the style, quality, fabric - everything was great, but the prices were 100-200 baht, both for sweaters and trousers. But what struck me most were the shirts, because... I saw the same ones several times in Next, H&M, Mexx and other stores, but they cost many times more there. To be honest, I don’t know how much the same clothes cost in Europe, but something tells me that in Thailand it’s still cheaper, because... it is sewn here, which is why the prices are so high on the local market, although for most Thais it is also expensive.

Overall, I highly recommend checking out F&F if you find yourself in a Thai Tesco Lotus. Their things are scattered across different departments - children's clothing, teenage clothing, adult clothing, lingerie, etc. and so on. It’s enough to look at the labels a couple of times and then you can easily identify these clothes against the background of the rest of the junk that hangs on hangers for local residents. To be honest, I can hardly wait for my next trip to Thailand so I can tear down all the shelves with these things in Tesco. Mishutka still wears things that I bought there when he was 2 years old. That is, I took a lot for growth =)

10. Whitening products

This item is not in my picture, because... I’m afraid I’m already white as death, so I don’t need such means. But I know a girl who has been bleaching her freckles all her life, and she would undoubtedly be happy to buy something from the Thais, because... Surprisingly, their products actually whiten. Due to the Asian fashion for fair skin, Thais are incredibly fond of resorting to such products. Therefore, it is difficult to find non-bleaching products in local stores rather than vice versa. Even their soaps and deodorants have a whitening effect. They can be purchased in cosmetic departments and 7Eleven and Tesco Lotus stores.

11. Pearl

Pearls are mined in the waters of Thailand, as in many neighboring countries. You can purchase it in many stores in Phuket, Pattaya, Bangkok and other resorts. Prices for Thai pearls range from affordable to outrageous. Of course, you need to understand that if you see inexpensive pearl products, then the quality of the stone leaves much to be desired. Although, knowing Thai sellers, I would not be surprised if they put a low-grade stone under an expensive product. Moreover, for everyday wear, pearl jewelry from Thailand looks quite decent and in any case will delight the owner of a bracelet or beads made of snow-white pearls.

12. Latex products

Vast areas of Thai land are literally studded with hevea trees, the sap of which is natural rubber, I wrote about this in this article. Rubber is used to make a wonderful natural material - latex. It's no secret that Thai latex products are in great demand among our tourists. As a rule, these are mattresses and pillows that are offered on many excursions. I recommend not going to all sorts of “factories”, but buying latex products at Tesco Lotus - a reliable store with a good reputation, where they won’t post all sorts of, sorry, bullshit. average price One good latex pillow is 1000 baht. Anything more expensive is a common scam for tourists.

13. Wood products

I'm not talking about any large wooden products, such as a bed or wardrobe. In Thailand they love to work with wood; many houses are decorated with carved patterns on the outside. However, Thais also add comfort inside their homes with the help of wooden decorative elements. These could be some kind of lamps, figurines, boxes, wall panels, etc. The choice is very large, because... Thais have plenty of imagination. It is worth buying wooden products from Thailand in specialized stores or markets.

14. Shell jewelry

I don’t mean women’s jewelry made from shells, although there is plenty of that stuff, but various interesting things for the home. In my opinion, they are not for everyone, but nevertheless, even some small thing from a shell can be taken as souvenirs. It is always a reminder of the sea and warmth.

15. Musical instruments

I love different traditional musical instruments. For some reason it is always very unusual and unusual to play them. It’s not just the new sound that captivates us, but also the principle of the game itself. For example, a bamboo flute, which must be pressed to the chin and rotated, releasing air flows downward as you exhale. Little things like this help me get to know the local culture better. Especially such musical things are literally necessary when there are children. This is both a toy and a fascinating thing and knowledge of another world.

16. Small souvenirs as gifts for family and friends

Well, we have reached the last point, in which I will list the remaining goods that tourists usually take as gifts for family, friends and colleagues. These are, first of all, all kinds of keychains, wallets with elephants or traditional ornaments (I’ve been using one of them for a lot of years :)), magnets and postcards, . All this can be safely purchased at any Tesco Lotus, especially in large hypermarkets, where all these small things are piled up in mountains near the cash registers at completely affordable prices - on average 40-80 baht.

OK it's all over Now! I hope my review of Thai goods will help you buy a lot of useful things during your trip to Thailand;) I note that all these products are relatively inexpensive and at the same time quite traditional, i.e. in Russia they will either not be available at all, or they will be available from resellers at prices several times more expensive. Therefore, do not miss the chance to do it on Thai soil, which will at least be more reliable in quality and cheaper;)

P.S. Since the ruble exchange rate fluctuates too much now, I indicated prices in baht. When I bought all these things, 1 baht was equal to ~1.5 rubles. Now, unfortunately, everything will become more expensive. But, nevertheless, it is not critical, because You don’t have to spend countless riches in Thailand to get gifts for yourself and your friends;)

At the time of writing this review, we already have 5 trips to the land of smiles. Of these, 3 times we were in Phuket and a couple of times in Pattaya. Every time it’s really difficult for me to meet the baggage allowance, because I want to buy and bring so much!

• First of all, of course fruits. A lot has been written about them; almost everyone brings them from Thailand.

• Natural Coconut oil. Almost everyone knows the same.

  Now I have 2 options with and without a spray bottle.

  • Known to many inhalers. They are excellent for helping with a runny nose, nausea, invigorating and cutting right to the bottom.

    
    

  • Series face washes and scrubs with natural tea tree. Very delicate texture and smell tea tree. Great for problem skin and not only.

    
    I got myself a whole bunch, because... We don’t know when we’ll return to Thailand, and I won’t be able to get a second tube in a year. Economical product. The price was somewhere between 120-140 baht for a large tube. Got it from Tesco Lotus.

    • Toothpastes in jars

      
      I have a separate review about them.

      • Diffusers for aromatizing rooms. I love the lemongrass scented ones and always take them.

        There are a lot of similar flavors in Phuket, different ones. They are there in almost all stores. But in Pattaya, according to my observations, there are much fewer, you will have to look for them there. There are many options, you can always choose a pleasant aroma for your home.

        • I also always bring these home fragrances from Thailand and fill them in bags (the balls gradually dry out and you need to add liquid). The aromas are not harsh and very pleasant Lavender and Peach.

          
          Now flavors with such gel balls have begun to appear here, but they also cost quite a lot. I've been buying them there for a long time and the price is much better.

          • Fragrance sachets for cabinets

            They have a pleasant aroma, but I can’t decide if it’s long lasting. It keeps for a long time nice smell in the closet (but not harsh, not intrusive), it seems that it faded very quickly...

            • I advise you to pay attention to this powder

              inconspicuous, costs about 14-15 baht. Sold in pharmacies and some cosmetic stores. Contains 99% sulfonamide and 1% tannin. Its action is similar to our powdered streptocide (who still remembers it), only with an astringent effect. It has a strong antibacterial effect and astringent. Those. It will disinfect small wounds and stop bleeding. Those who like to suppress pimples will certainly like the powder; it will be good for men for small cuts after shaving, scratches and abrasions for children. I found it for myself by accident, and then began to buy more to take with me.

              • One day, imperfections that suddenly appeared on my face forced me to buy powder. Chose inexpensive option and didn’t have much hope. However, this powder exceeded all my expectations! Delicate, velvety, it blended perfectly with the skin and masked pimples very well. After that, I began to buy this powder for future use. But on my last trip I didn’t find my favorite brand(((. I chose a couple of others, but didn’t miss, they are also great.

                

                
                

                • Thai style boxes for banknotes. Beautiful and comfortable. Good as a gift or to store your budget.

                  
                  

                  
                  

                  • From every trip I bring a bunch of different face masks

                    
                    

                    • In Phuket there is a chic organic cosmetics store LEMONGRASS HOUSE. There your eyes widen and you want to buy everything! I especially love the fragrance diffusers for rooms and the fragrance spray for rooms and pillows (that’s its name).

                      Such a small bottle is enough for more than a year of use in the toilet room. In general, I highly recommend checking out the store; there are a lot of skincare products there that are worth paying attention to.

                      • Crystal deodorant for yourself and for gifts

                        
                        

                        • An excellent cream with salicylic acid. Precisely removes the effects of acne.

                          
                          

                          • Spray - air flavoring with a pleasant candy-citrus aroma. Spied by the maid after cleaning the room and found in Tesco Lotus for only 27 baht!

                            

                            • In Thailand, mini-products of deodorants, shampoos, and toothpastes are common. Often in stores they are displayed in separate display cases. I take deodorants for myself. They have a strong smell, but I like the “take-it-with-you” format. I often take them on short trips, they are very convenient.

                              
                              

                            • From every trip we bring pussies for our son’s collection. Here are our Thai pussies.

The question of what can be bought and brought from Thailand, and in particular from Pattaya, is one of the main ones, and we, of course, could not ignore it. Anyone who has ever been to Thailand already knows roughly what you can buy as gifts for friends, relatives, and, of course, your loved one. But for those who are just going to this beautiful country, this article will not only be interesting, but also very useful. After all, you need to have at least some idea in advance about what other tourists are bringing home. I won’t write about stupid magnets, because I adhere to the principle - buy as a gift only what you would be happy with. What's the point of buying unnecessary trinkets, which will then gather dust on a shelf or on the refrigerator? So, let's begin!

Fruits

Something, but nature has not deprived the rich Thai land of fruits. Although recently many fruits have appeared on our shelves that we previously only saw in pictures, in Thailand you will find such a variety that you cannot even imagine. For a European person, many will seem exotic both in appearance and taste, but I would advise that if you are lucky enough to visit here, take the opportunity and try as many as possible. In addition to the familiar pineapples, watermelons, bananas, tangerines, coconuts and mangoes, be sure to at least take a bite of durian, jackfruit, dragon's eye, shompa, guava, lychee, longan, mangosteen, rambutan and other gifts of the subtropics. I will not go into detail, as I will definitely devote a separate article to this topic. We give honorable first place to fruits, due to the fact that they take up the maximum weight and volume of your suitcases. If you are bringing hand luggage, keep in mind that large baskets are sometimes not allowed through check-in (no matter who you run into). We once had to urgently stuff fruit from a basket into bags and into luggage.

Where to buy fruits in Pattaya? Almost everywhere (cheaper in areas far from the sea), fruit shops (usually sold already cut and packaged), in shops and at peddlers on the beach (prices are higher than average). Almost all hotels provide pineapples, papaya and watermelon for breakfast. You can eat for future use.

Durian jam

The only fruit that is prohibited from being exported from Thailand is durian. You can’t even enter hotel grounds with it. But lovers of this miracle or just jokers can purchase an approved alternative - durian jam. It is quite inexpensive. You can also buy durian chips. Who doesn't accept this product, can buy chips from other fruits: banana, pineapple, mango, papaya and breadfruit.

Where to buy jam and chips in Pattaya? In all grocery departments, as well as in "". Cheap and delicious chips They are sold at the market, where they are brought during an excursion to Kwai.

Coffee and tea

Thai coffee can only be bought in Thailand. They don't produce much of it, but it won't be difficult to buy. The price tag is quite cheap, but at the same time unique and tasty. Tea is sold in large quantities and variety. I recommend taking it for gifts blue tea(good for vision) and matum tea (brewed for colds).

Where to buy coffee and tea in Pattaya? In almost all large supermarkets and specialized stores, for example, Tea Village in (rich selection, prices below average).

Products

In my opinion, very good gift- canned crocodile. It seems they sell it in the food departments of supermarkets, although I looked and couldn’t find it. They also say that you can find canned food made from scorpions, worms and beetles. If you want to buy fried insects as gifts, you can find them from street vendors in Pattaya and markets. If we’re already on the topic of food, you can also buy in grocery supermarkets: cooking kits famous soup Tom Yum, coconut milk in packs, spicy sweet and sour sauce bottled, black fish sauce, rice noodles, chewing gum and sweets with pepper.

Thai rum

Be sure to buy a bottle of Sang Som Thai rum for home. As they say, cheap and cheerful. There will be something to celebrate your arrival and treat your friends.

Where to buy rum in Pattaya? Sold in supermarkets, 7 Eleven and at airports. Moreover, at the airport the price for 0.7 liters is 340 baht, and at 7 Eleven it seems even cheaper - about 290 baht. Small bottles for gifts can be bought from 100 baht.

Silk

Despite the fact that silk is made in Thailand, silk products are quite expensive here too. For example, a men's shirt - from 1200 baht, a tie - from 400 baht. True, in Russia it will be very difficult to find this product for any money. Advice for potential buyers - if the product costs less than 400 - 500 baht, it is most likely a fake. Another thing that most often reveals a fake is a perfectly flat surface.

Where to buy silk in Pattaya? In some souvenir shops (), at the World Gems Collection jewelry factory and in shopping centers.

Leather

They sell many products made from cow, snake, crocodile and stingray leather. You can buy bags, wallets, shoes and belts. Prices for snake, crocodile and stingray are quite high. Be careful when purchasing - street vendors, especially those who walk along the beaches, slip calfskin products into their place.

Gold and precious stones

Gold jewelry, of course, will cost you less than in your home country, but it has its own peculiarity. The purity is generally higher than 750, so the color is more yellow and the products themselves are softer. As for stones, it is still more profitable to buy them in Burma or Cambodia.

Souvenirs

Well, what would we do without these cute trinkets?

Where to buy souvenirs in Pattaya? There are several large souvenir shops where you can order a free transfer: , Golden Chase. If you have the task of stocking up on souvenirs for all your numerous relatives, then of course you can go there. Otherwise, I would advise buying souvenirs in small shops - it will be cheaper if you bargain, and besides, you will come across more interesting things. They also sell souvenirs in the markets. You can find an exclusive at the Thepprasit flea market. Well, on all excursions, of course, they also sell souvenirs. For example, in the elephant village you can buy great gift– a notebook or photo album made from elephant poop. By the way, it doesn't smell at all. A teak wood product is not a bad souvenir, but it is also not the cheapest. Thailand is famous for its teak carvers. Also in souvenir shops you can buy coconut lamps, a coin with the inscription Yes and No, orchid sprouts in bottles and cool crafts from scrap metal.

Electronics

Most often, the following products are brought from Thailand: iPads and iPhones (prices, by the way, are not much cheaper than ours), as well as cheap Chinese and Thai counterfeits. famous brands phones and tablets. You can really save a lot of money on them. When purchasing, check everything thoroughly, as copies are not covered by the warranty.

Where to buy phones and tablets in Pattaya? There are electronics departments in many shopping centers, but it is better, of course, to visit a specialized store -. Counterfeits can also be found at market stalls.

Watch

There are many different watches sold in Pattaya. Prices range from 100 baht for ordinary consumer goods to 5,000 baht for a copy of Rolex.

Where to buy watches in Pattaya? In all shopping centers and markets.

Cosmetics and medicines

Thailand is famous for its cosmetic and medical products. Almost all of it is on natural products. I don’t know about the benefits, but it definitely won’t do any harm. Popular cosmetics include: pure and cosmetics based on it; shampoos and balms based on natural herbs; masks for skin and hair; aloe vera gel and whitening toothpaste. From medical supplies Popular: Tiger Balm, which helps with colds and pain in muscles and joints. And also - Thai tablets for various diseases, roots and herbs for tinctures,.

Where to buy cosmetics and medicines in Pattaya? When you go on excursions, you will be taken to special ones. The prices there are too high. Advice - listen carefully to what they will praise there, take price lists with annotations, and only then in Pattaya look for the product you like in cosmetic stores and pharmacies. The further the pharmacies are from the center, the lower their prices will be. It’s true that you most likely won’t find instructions in Russian.

You can buy Thai-made medicines and cosmetics without even going to Thailand. Recently, many online stores have sprung up. Here are a couple of links to trusted sites that make it very easy to place an order and pay for the goods you are interested in: Shop-Thailand.ru, ThaiHerbal.ru, Herbalone.ru. Of course, it will be more expensive than in a pharmacy, but still cheaper than buying air tickets.

Latex pillows and mattresses

They are produced in Thailand, and where else can you buy latex products if not here? Everyone has already heard about the benefits of latex mattresses and pillows, so I won’t dwell on this.

Where to buy latex in Pattaya? When going on any excursion, you will definitely be taken to a latex factory. You can listen to an overview lecture and lie on the mattresses, but I wouldn’t recommend buying there. The prices are very high, cheaper of course than ours, but not by much. Recently, departments with latex products have appeared in almost all major shopping centers in Pattaya. Prices there are much lower. For example, pillows - from 900 baht. They also sell latex in Lukdot. Don't be alarmed that this product will take up a lot of space in your luggage. Vacuum packaging will reduce the volume by almost 10 times. When you arrive home and unpack, everything will miraculously, and without any consequences, return to its original size.

Of course, this article is not a guide to action. In fact, there are many more interesting things in Thailand that are worthy of finding a new owner in you. Just remember that the suitcases are not rubber and there is a weight limit upon departure - 20 kg of luggage per person + 5 kg hand luggage. The weight of one piece should not exceed 30 kg. There are heavy fines for being overweight, so it’s better to weigh everything in advance. There are scales in most hotels and outside 7 Eleven stores.

What cannot be bought and exported from Thailand?

There are things that should never be taken out of Thailand. IN best case scenario- they will take you away at customs, and in the worst case, you may be detained. In addition to generally accepted prohibited items, these include: large Buddha figurines (over 13 cm), skin or stuffed crocodile; skin, claws and fangs of a tiger; elephant bones and ivory products; turtle shell and products made from it; Sea Horses; some large shells sea ​​mollusks; rough gemstones and corals; bats and some types of butterflies; earth, sand and plants with earth; durian You can try to carry some of these things in your luggage, but do you need it? Seeds, by the way, are also prohibited for export, but finding them in luggage is practically impossible, so if anyone wants to experiment with growing exotic fruits on their windowsill, then there is no need to throw away the seeds from the fruits they eat.

Recently found latest video about what else you can buy in Thailand. Some interesting things are unfairly forgotten in my article, but are shown in this story, for example, Thai cosmetics and Goji berries.

If you buy goods online on AliExpress, Ozon, Mvideo, Svyaznoy, etc. and have not yet received up to 15% cashback on your purchases, then this link will be useful for you.

Do you visit Thailand so often that you already have acquaintances and friends who want to bring a piece of their country? Or are you just going to Thailand for the first time and are already considering gift options for Thai people? One way or another, you need to approach the choice of Russian gifts wisely. I apologize in advance for the chauvinist manners in the article, but I will say “Russian” because I have not been to neighboring Russian-speaking countries and cannot compare souvenirs. But according to the model I described, you can easily find gifts in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other countries. A special feature of Russians is their breadth of soul, which does not allow them to give gifts, even the smallest thing, no matter how. I have never seen anyone buy a bag of nesting dolls and give them to the Thais with a proud sense of accomplishment. What's wrong with nesting dolls?

First of all, Thais are very practical. About 60% of visitors live at resorts, who love and appreciate things that can be used elsewhere. The nesting dolls, to put it mildly, would be a little out of place in their rented apartment for five people. But you want your gift to be enjoyed not only for the first five minutes. Secondly, the nesting doll is such a hackneyed gift that some Thais may already have one. I had such a case that I had long been planning to bring a “mother and children” to a Thai friend. And, literally, a week before my return, she was given a large beautiful matryoshka doll. Thirdly, not all Thais know about the nesting doll. The most common associations are vodka and snow. In general, there are approximately the same stereotypes that elephants should be brought from Thailand.

Let's consider typical requirements for gifts. First of all, souvenirs should be small, because you will carry them in your luggage. Of course, every gift should reflect your country, but do it according to affordable price. Practicality and originality play an important role. But all gifts depend on the destination, who do you want to give to, will it be a specific friend or the girls from the hotel reception?

Candies

I already wrote that in Thailand there is a slight tension with chocolates. They exist, but they are expensive or not as tasty as in Russia. A great gift for a tour guide or girls from the hotel would be a tile of traditional milk chocolate. Great idea, if it is made in the form of a nesting doll. But the most important thing is that it tastes good. In my opinion, Thais do not really like dark chocolate. And then there are people who don’t eat sweets at all. This is where other gifts will be needed.

Wood products

Various souvenirs made of birch bark and wood are magnificent. But the choice should also be taken with caution. There is no need to give the Thais brownies, bells, Easter eggs, horseshoes and other pagan souvenirs. Most likely they will not get along with Thai perfumes. An excellent gift for restaurant owners would be a birch bark painting with Russian winter or a piggy bank. Little cute crafts will be keychains in the shape of the same nesting dolls that Thais attach to the key to their motorbike, or small painted spoons. Fashionistas can be given earrings made of birch bark, and a business-minded Thai will like a flask with a birch bark edging (if, of course, he drinks).

Cloth

This is where you have a choice, this is where you can swing yourself without thinking that you won’t like the souvenir. Pavloposad cotton scarves will be an excellent gift for girls from their favorite massage parlor. The Thai guide will be glad to have a T-shirt or baseball cap with the inscription of your country, Cheburashka, metro map, in winter. It’s easy to make such a gift yourself, flaunting your talents on occasion.

Vodka

Who said that giving vodka and cognac is bad manners? A small original bottle of vodka will be a good souvenir for Thais. I even know one person who collects vodka. He also has magic glasses for cognac with a wedge-shaped bottom; the glass does not stand, but reclines, allowing you to pour only 50 ml into it. All Thai guests are delighted with such a souvenir. I somehow found it in stores faceted glass with badges: KGB of the USSR and FSB - it turned out to be an excellent gift for a friend from the police. You can also buy similar stacks.

Souvenirs

Thais will like traditional small souvenirs: refrigerator magnets with symbols, notebooks with winter photographs, nesting doll pens, painted pencils and other pleasant functional little things. I gave a computer mouse and a Khokhlokh rug, the Thai was delighted. Traditional painting looks great on lighters, mugs and spoons.

Decorations

Girls will definitely like jewelry made of silver and copper, made in the ancient Russian style, earrings and bracelets with ornamental stones. You can also remember about pendants and brooches made of leather and beads or beads made of clay. I brought cute bracelets and earrings with nesting dolls to my Thai girlfriends. The girls were delighted.

Money

In many shops and restaurants you can see paper banknotes from all countries under glass. I'm willing to bet that 10 rubles are definitely in every collection, but the rest of the banknotes and other currencies are a big question.

Finally, I’ll give you a couple of tips on how to give. Do not give wrapped gifts to Thais: modest traditions do not allow them to immediately “pounce” on a gift and open it, this means greed and impatience. Each gift must be presented solemnly, showing what it is and telling how to use it.