It is always fun to buy items that you can only find in the countries you are traveling in. It allows you to get your hands on very rare stuff that you wouldn’t have had the opportunity of owning, even in a lifetime, if you didn’t visit that country. Thailand is not an exemption when it comes to finding unique, and high-quality items, with the additional benefit of them being extremely affordable. It is not like Paris or Rome where you may have to cough a couple hundred dollars to get an epic souvenir. If you will be visiting the Land of Smiles soon, read below for a brief description of what to buy in Thailand.
1. Thai silk
You will not fail to see several stalls selling lots of silk items such as scarfs, cushion covers, shirts and pillow covers amongst others. Most of these products are hand-woven with high quality and the smoothest threads of silk produced in the country. Thai silk is obtained from caterpillars fed on strict mulberry diets and then woven with various gradient designs and textures. They are some of the best you will find in the world, and when you are in Thailand, you shouldn’t miss the chance to get them for cheap.
2. Muay Thai shorts
Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing, is an incredibly popular combat sport in Thailand, and unless you explore or experience it, you can’t claim to know a thing about Thai culture. Muay Thai shorts are the shorts used during the combat competitions. They are comfortable, and usually, feature a bright color combination that makes them very conspicuous. Getting them is an intelligent way of appreciating the culture and own a cultural souvenir from Thailand.
3. Edible insects
Insects are a vital part of Thai cuisines and don’t be surprised if you are served with a bowl of raw insects if you order what you didn’t know from the menu. Thailand, however, has gone a step further how they serve their insects and now you can buy them in bags just the same way you usually buy chips. Some of the common starters you will find packed in bags include Maeng Kee Noon, Non-Pai, Tak Ga Tan and Jing Leed among others.
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4. Thai tea
Thailand has a variety of teas, and it is a versatile drink that normally forms part of nearly every dining experience. When you are in the country, you shouldn’t miss to try out the instant Thai milk tea which is always a refreshing piece of magic during the humid days. You should also try the Thai milk tea that made Singaporeans go crazy a few years ago. Finally, try the malt tea – a Thai black tea believed to give your skin a brighter glow.
5. Elephant pants
If you don’t have a pair of the bohemian-chic harem pants, then you can’t claim to have been in Thailand. The elephant pants are very popular in Thailand, and most visitors, especially backpackers, usually fall in love with them because they are airy, comfortable, versatile and stylish. It is considered the staple outfit of choice by most natives and getting a couple of pairs for yourself will not just add more comfort to your wardrobe, but will also be a nice piece of souvenir that you will love using back home.
6. Wooden toad instrument
Wooden toad instruments are wooden toads carved from wood from acacia trees. The instruments produce a croaking sound when you gently rub the ridges on the back using a piece of stick. It is believed among the Thai Farmers that the croaking sounds of the frogs had the power to bring big harvests during the rainy seasons. These instruments can make a wonderful gift for the little ones who can use them to lure frogs out during their frog hunting expeditions.
7. Handmade Sa paper umbrella
The hand-made Sa paper umbrellas are made from natural, durable paper. These umbrellas have been produced in Thailand for centuries. They may not have the versatility to be used outdoors during conditions such as heavy rains, but they can be very beautiful decorative pieces when used intelligently in interior décor.
8. Inhaler (Poy Sian brand)
When traveling in Thailand, it is common to encounter vertigo, headaches and blocked nose due to the changes in environment and weather conditions. However, instead of visiting a hospital for prescription medicine, all you need is a Poy Sian inhaler for instant relief. This is a very popular inhaler among locals and tourists because it is cheap and brings relief fast. It comes with a camphor-eucalyptus balm oil on one side and a nasal inhaler stick on the other side.
9. Koh Kae peanuts
These peanuts have become an iconic snack in Thailand. Adults and children enjoy it in equal measure owing to its crunchiness, addictive flavors, and the eye-pleasing packaging. They are available in a variety of flavors, and this is an assurance that everyone is bound to find a flavor of their liking in this popular Thai snack.
10. Instant Phad Thai
Phad Thai is a yummy local delicacy in Thailand and an incredibly popular food among both the locals and tourists. It is a common sight in countless street stalls, and restaurants across Bangkok and other major cities. This is an easy noodle dish whose only preparation involves the addition of hot water, and you are good to go. As such, it is a tasty on-the-go snack that will not just delivery the intense Thai flavors in your mouth, but it will give you the energy you need to keep jumping from one Thai attraction to another. You can buy a few packets and carry home so that you can enjoy a taste of Thailand even after you leave the country.
11. Handmade Bags
A great local purchase that would do you and your lady friends well is a handmade bag from Thailand. Not only are they uniquely designed, but they’re also handmade and locally sourced. A variety of flea markets and stores sell a wide selection of handmade bags, from small pouches to big shopping bags, there’s something for everyone’s style and functional preference. Handmade bags are usually weaved and made with great quality and are easily found in major Thai cities like Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Bangkok, and Hua Hin.
12. Thai Spa Products
For your friends and families who value a serious “me time” session or R&R, a great token from Thailand is their organic spa products. Apart from their one of a kind spices, Thailand is popular for its spa treatments and techniques, what a great way to celebrate this by getting your own essential oils and spa products to kick start your own R&R sessions when you get back home. The average cost would range from 1.28 USD to 31.91 USD for expensive and good quality oils. Many stores and souvenir shops carry a wide variety of spa goodies from essential oils, soothing aromatic massages, to soothing balms, these are found everywhere under the Thai sun.
13. Soap Carvings
Another staple souvenir to bring home from Thailand are soap carvings. Hand-carved into beautiful flowers, soap carvings also come in a wide array of colors and designs. Apart from looking pretty, it also smells nice and would be great for bathroom decor and essentials for anyone’s home. They come in different shapes and sizes, as well as cents and styles, from a blossoming lotus to a stunning red rose, there’s a lot you can choose from or even hoard for your friends and family.
14. Thai Handicraft
An authentic piece of souvenir to take back from your Thailand trip are Thai handicrafts, which basically come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and may serve with or without a purpose aside from home decor. Local artisanal shops feature and sell Thai handicrafts like lacquerware, pottery dishes, and wood carvings made by ethnic tribes and locals. Buying handicrafts from Thailand is also a great way to support local tourism and economy, something to help boost the indigenous and local culture of the Thai people.
15. Coconut Oil Products
When you think Thailand, the first thing that usually comes to mind is coconut oil, and it’s hard not to because it’s a staple in everyone’s home. It’s one of the country’s most versatile exports, which poses great benefits to one’s hair, skin, health, and even diet. The beauty industry has made a lot of money from this simple organic product and can be found all over Thailand in forms of soaps, creams, shampoos, moisturizers and what not. A bottle of coconut oil in a local shop or market would start at 7.98 USD. Your skincare-obsessed friends would thank you over and over for a simple yet nourishing souvenir from the beautiful country of Thailand.
16. Thai Trinkets
Those who like to collect small tokens and memorabilia from new places they’ve traveled instead of lavish souvenirs that many people probably on the same flight as you all have, tiny trinkets from Thailand are a great gift. Thai trinkets come in key chains, elephant designed items, as the elephant is the national animal of the Thai people, as well as charming pouches and accessorial tokens that are usually given away to a bunch of people. One of these would cost you a 1.28 USD or even negotiate with vendors for a cheaper price if you buy in bulk. Check out the MBK Mall, the Chatuchak Weekend Market to see some great pieces.
17. Thai Spices
Of course, no trip to Thailand is truly complete without purchasing any local spices for your mom or your loved ones who like to cook back home. Thai spices are sold all over Thailand and is commonly used to season, flavor, and enhance the aroma of certain dishes. Whether you’re attempting to make a pad thai at home after your trip, or simply just adding Thai curry seasoning to your chicken, these spices are handy for those looking to excite their usual dinners at home with a punch. Some of the most popular spices tourists buy include crushed chili, coriander seeds, cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg to name a few. The price range will depend on where you buy them, local markets have better deals which start at less than a US dollar to 9.57 USD.
Enjoy the best of Thailand with these items
There are still a lot more unique and cheap items you can buy in Thailand. Walking the streets, visiting the night markets and touring the local markets will reveal to you how diverse the country is, and you can buy as many items as you want. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed, or you’re not sure, use the list given above of what to buy in Thailand as a good base for your souvenir hunting.
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