Mailing packages back to the states
 

I plan to be in BKK, etc for a few weeks. As usual, friends want XYZ as momentos, etc. I'd rather mail them back instead of humping them all over during my vacation, but I have concerns and ?s.

1. If I ship/mail packages/boxes back to me, I've heard they get stolen often and never make it back. I'd hate to buy items and then never have them reach state-side

2. What is the best place/method to ship items back? I figure it'll be little elephants, posters, maybe some clothes, shoes, etc.

3. Is it worth it to ship back? I.e. will the costs be prohibitive for fairly inexpensive items??

Thank you.

you can just take it to the Post and send it that way ,
I sent a 4 KG box on Tuesday for 1100 baht ($35) but this was surface mail that can take 2-3 months ,

The Thai Post Office has a website in English for prices ,

Also UPS and Fed EX have 10 KG + 25 KG special price boxes , not sure what the prices are on those now but the 25kg one I have used and it took less than a week to get to the USA and was cheaper than the post if you have heavy things and need them in a week or 2 ,

Or you can just pay for an extra piece of check-in luggage which may even be cheaper if you use the full 20kg limit

Soarer

I could take the extra piece of luggage as I get 3 pieces being a 1K (though means I'd have to buy the luggage while there)...that said, I'm trying to not lug everything around w/ me since I'm only in one spot a few days at a time. Perhaps if I find where I want to buy the items and then don't purchase until the final day...but takes away from a final day of enjoyment ;)

Thank you for the heads-up on alternatives. It's a good gut check to see if the knick-knacks I'm buying are worth the headache(s) :)

You can check the various rates for Thailand Post here:

http://www.thailandpost.com/rate.php

They have an EMS World one-price box to the U.S.A. for 1,400 baht. They can help you pack the items.

You can also pack a box, maybe store it somewhere, even at the airport, and then check it in with UA. I always bring a big box from the U.S. to Thailand via UA.