Thread: Good Cheap n' Small Generic Thai Gifts

Of all the things I've brought back from Thailand for friends and family a few of the favorites have been, of all things, those methol inhalers - both the ubiquitous white plastic and old faux moulded aluminum boran style varieties. So I stock up on them whenever I go home.

I don't splash out on gifts so I tend to go for these 'everyday here but exotic at home' items that can be mass gifted and still seem sort of unique to the giftee. They also tend to be easy to pack and carry, and sometimes practical. And CHEAP AS HELL. No suspicious yet still inexplicably expensive thai silk.

Also popular: those sealed nam prik containers found at most supermarkets, old school thai alphabet picture books (the ones with the hilarious photographs from the 60s), and, slightly more of a hassle to pack but appreciated: the spice table sets you find on restaurants with four glass things in a little metal rack for your nam blah, vinegar, chilies, etc. Those I get at restaurant supply shops.

Anybody have other ideas or favorites for this kind of thing? I'm heading home next weekend for a spell and I'm looking to spread some Thainess around where I go.

Already got a bunch of kao neow containers and a thai 'floor' picnic mat. And the hugging salt and pepper shaker creatures for a pottery aunt who may not realize how generic they really are, or love them anyway.

And an aluminum stacking lunch thing with the three levels of little bowls. Very cool.

Womens wallets made of silk. Small stuffed elephants for kids. Both are under 3 bucks apiece and maybe much cheaper. Cooler t-shirts for the men friends. Sukumvit in an hour.

Originally Posted by aging one

Small stuffed elephants for kids. Both are under 3 bucks apiece and maybe much cheaper.

Originally Posted by aging one

Sukumvit in an hour.

Nice one. Got a few kids on my list, I think I'll get some lil' stuffed changs for 'em.

I bring packets of dried fruit from the Emporium supermarket that I know nobody at home has tasted: sour chinese cherries, pomelo rind, mango, palm seeds, etc. Packets of 100 grams (freshly packed while you wait) are about B60 each: exotic tastes from an exotic land.

Originally Posted by tomcat

I bring packets of dried fruit from the Emporium supermarket that I know nobody at home has tasted: sour chinese cherries, pomelo rind, mango, palm seeds, etc. Packets of 100 grams (freshly packed while you wait) are about B60 each: exotic tastes from an exotic land.

Excellent idea. Another item for my last minute list.

Another item if you're going to be near any Christmas trees: Jim Thompson has some wonderful ornaments that range from B150 to B340 or so. They are traditional (angels, etc), but are still made in Thailand and would definitely be an exotic addition to a tree.

Bingo.

Brooms! My people love them. There's a tiny one for kids too. And they're light. The woven hand bags made in Patalung aren't cheap but the girls back home dig them. Silk scarves .. sent a kilo to my exwife and she sold them in a week. Stuff from those military/cops stores are a hit with boys as well, badges, patches and such. From America to LoS what Thais simply adore or those little plastic coin keepers. You know the ones, you squeeze them top and bottom and they open.

I've often taken those Thai fisherman's pants

da giftees wer always happy

if I were dead and buried in my grave with a pair of those on I'd find a way to get them off.

I buy a half dozen sarongs on Jomtien beach every time I'm there for B100-120 each and bring them home...folks snap them up to use as tablecloths, head wraps, table runners, exotic beach wear, etc. They're probably the most popular item (after Oriental Hotel chocolate rum balls-a box of 12 for B240).

Originally Posted by Cyrille

I'm off to bali in a couple of weeks - waay better than Thailand for this sort of stuff.

The stuff they call Balinese rayon is the softest damn stuff in the world. I wore my Balinese sarongs until they fell apart. If you are coming through Thailand on you way back pick me up one. I will cook you the dinner of your choice. Beer and whatever else turns your head will be provided as well.