chichow

I'm going to Bankok and just hanging out for a week.
So I'll have 3 check in bags that can be 70lbs each.

If I was in Japan, I literally would fill up one to two suitcases with Japanese rice. Its sooooooo good.

Any suggestions on other stuff to bring back and dump into the suitcase?

I am aware of getting some clothes made.

Thanks!

tide

1) Prescription drugs e.g. Patanol, an eye-drop for seasonal allergies. Cost at home: upwards of $75 (even after my prescription plan kicks in). In BKK? $10.

2) Aromatherapy products for bath. I like Thann. I buy them at Siam Discovery Center.

3) DVDs (the 80 baht kind). I buy these at nightmarkets. These are more often than not Region 0.

4) Food products like dried seedless tamarind. Sealed and packaged. I can find these at supermarkets like Tops.

5) T-shirts like the yellow "I Love the King" ones prevalent during the recent 60th anniversary celebrations. I buy these at Suan Lum.

6) Original Thai DVDs of movies I want to see e.g. "Shutter" (fantastic example of the horror genre), "Fan Chan", "Nang Nak", etc. Next trip I will look for "Dek Hor" (Dorm) and "13 Beloved". Some Region 3 only so beware. Comes with English subtitles.

7) Thai Silk curtains, tablecloth, mats. etc. I go to my tailor and have them finished.

8) Asian Art/Curios for decorating. Things like Buddha-motifs and high-quality prints of Asia in the 30s and 50s. I shop for them at Suan Lum or Chatuchak.

9) Japanese J-Pop CDs are much cheaper in Thailand and are sold "for the Thailand market only". The last time I was there, e.g. the 2006-release Ultra Blue from Utada Hikaru was US$10 instead of the 3000 yen I would have had to pay in Tokyo.

10) This is a little weird but I buy tons of toothpaste from Thailand. They sell a size that is just perfect for travel - not too small like the travel sized ones at Walmart for example, and not too big. I go to Watson's and clear out like the whole shelf.

You might also like silk products from Jim Thompson.

party_boy

Silk products.

and please don't laugh....Durian Chips!

Justme123456

Tide, what a great list! I wish I had it when I was in BKK several years ago and had no idea what to get. Thanks!

jpatokal

Dried fruits and nuts are at the top of my list too, but you'll get better selection and prices at specialist stores. I usually beeline for Champ on the 4th floor of MBK (although they have a few outlets elsewhere); their sesame-and-honey coated cashewnuts are thoroughly addictive, and they also have unusual stuff like kiwifruit chips and the dried "pork floss" that the Chinese love. Bags start from 50B or so and even a one-kilo bag won't cost much above 200B.

MegatopLover

Benchawongse! The uniquely Thai porcelain hand-painted in five colors. Various corners of Chatuchak have stalls selling benchawongse, though the quality is mixed. Narai Phand, formerly the Thai Industry Shop, across the street from Central World Plaza on Ratchadamri Road has the best selection in the kingdom, all with the original carrying cases designed specifically to hold and transport 'em. (I once brought a very large vase home in checked baggage without incident.)

Apart from that, piles of Jim Thompson silks. For 1100 baht ($30), you can get neckties that are as high quality as Ferraggamo at 1/4 the price.

Gazza

What to bring back from Thailand other than clothes?

Depends

How do you feel about prision?

Gazza

francophile

Bring back great memories. They will last a lifetime.

dtsm

OP asked legitimate question and you're off base with this silly reply.

Another suggestion for OP is gold - either jewelry or even dining and other decorative items made of gold. Years back I bought candle holders, napkin holders, etc. with excellent gold plating as gifts.

MegatopLover

When buying tableware in gold or silver (sold throughout Bangkok), be careful that you know what you're doing. Things can seem like a great deal but you may not be getting world-class quality. I would approach that with the same caution as buying jade. I'm not saying to avoid it entirely, just that you should make sure you know what you're doing.

One that's frequently on my list is mother of pearl decorative items-- coasters, little boxes, picture frames, spoons, massive oyster shells (holds most of my cufflinks), all kinds of things in beautiful pearl. You can also buy lots of actual pearls, but there again, best to really know what you're doing.

transpac

It might help if you described the sorts of things you might be interested in? Unique items available only here? Items that are available everywhere but which may be less expensive here? Big ticket items? Tchotchkes? Gifts?

The Dollar (USD) has lost a lot of ground in the past month or so factor that into your price comparisons.

Obviously Thailand is renowned for their unique rice varieties.

As mentioned, gold is widely available (23K/96.5%) as it is more or less a second currency here. Yesterday's price was ~ 10,430 THB for one-baht tong (AKA, called "one baht", ~ 1/2 ounce, 15.16 gm). Items (chains, bracelets, etc.) are sold by the weight, plus an additional small fee for "workmanship", creating the item. You will see two prices in the gold shop, like maybe 10,430 and 9,980. You would pay the former to buy gold from the shop, and were you to sell your gold back to the shop you would receive the latter price.

One baht chains and two-baht bracelets are popular.

I would check the laws and regulations regarding bringing back, to the U.S.A., prescription drugs, for which you do not have a valid prescription, and pirate DVDs (most of which are CAM; don't you just love hearing the mobile phones ring when watching the DVD, it's just like being there ).

Most purchases will include VAT (7%), so make sure you have a receipt that shows the VAT as a separate line item so that you can recoup this VAT at the airport when you depart Thailand.

chichow

Thanks for all of the replies.

I did pick up some scrips so that was great.

I also picked up some DVDs, CDs, and console games.

I went to MBK and went nutso on the dried goods.

Of course I had to get the Red Bull t-shirt and some luv King.

My thai is a lot better now (at least the numbers part is for bargaining)

I did consider Jim T for ties, but I think I have enough and it would have been totally discretionary.

I was very happy with the tailor that I went to and had a suit, sport jacket, trousers and shirts made.

Again thanks for all of the replies.

I was tempted to get the gold. BKK is great. I am really impressed.

IC Expert

Last year at a Grocery Store in Phuket I purchased a lot spices. They came in nice gift boxes with about 15 different spices from the area.

Jet Lag

Just out of curiosity is it possible to buy good quality luggage in BKK cheaper than in the states or should I haul an extra bag with me?

seanthepilot

IME I can get a better bag at home. Wal-Mark or the Bay (Canada ).
If you want a cheap suitcase for one way packing, the type found all over Thailand will do fine, if you can bargain for a suitable price. Be careful of quality, though.