We will tell you about what you should definitely bring from Thailand, as well as the best shopping centers, stores and markets, where you should head for a shopping trip.
Thailand is a country where you can hardly resist shopping. Here, you can buy many interesting items that carry a unique Asian flavor, and the price policy in Thailand is extremely budget-friendly.
What to Bring from Thailand
Thailand offers a plethora of options for gifts and souvenirs, including tasty treats for yourself and your loved ones, clothing, footwear, medicines, cosmetics, electronics, toys, and an array of charming and practical souvenirs.
Edible Gifts
Fruits
Exotic natural sweets are perfect for travelers and make excellent gifts for friends and family. Most often, tourists buy them in fresh form, including:
Yellow-colored mangoes;
Longan and mangosteen;
Pink pitahaya (a dragon fruit with a kiwi-like taste).
However, please note that durian cannot be transported due to its foul odor, which can affect an entire airplane's luggage. You can find the same fruit sold in large quantities in canned or fresh-sliced and vacuum-packed forms in supermarkets and larger stores. When purchasing, opt for treats with minimal sugar content.
Spices
The national cuisine of Thailand is a unique blend of sour, sweet, and spicy flavors. Condiments, herbs, and spices are readily available in shopping malls and markets. Here are some recommended options:
Red pepper;
Thai curry;
Branded fish and soy sauces.
Alcohol
Popular alcoholic beverages brought back from Thailand as gifts include rum and rice wine (starting from 120 THB). Herbal spirit infusions are also favored choices.
Clothing, Shoes, Accessories
Thailand offers a wide range of clothing options, from luxury items to budget-friendly Asian-made products. High-quality goods can be found in Bangkok and Phuket shopping centers, where you'll find a greater variety and slightly lower prices compared to Europe. Thai markets offer affordable, medium to low-quality clothing suitable for the summer season.
When shopping for clothing in Thailand, consider these items:
Cotton (starting from 100 THB);
Silk goods or fabric (starting from 80 THB per unit or meter of fabric);
Leather bags and shoes (starting from THB 450).
Latex
Thailand is the world leader in latex production. This material is derived from the solid sap of special plants created by air jets. In the country, natural latex with minimal additives and colorants is used to craft various products, including toys, shoes, souvenirs, and more.
Cosmetic Products
Thailand boasts over a hundred cosmetic brands, including internationally renowned ones like DIOR and Lancome, as well as local brands like Bath&Bloom. You'll also find affordable, unbranded cosmetics. This wide range of products is available in stores of varying sizes, supermarkets, and shopping centers.
Major cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket offer an especially diverse selection. Thai markets may also offer counterfeit versions of global brands.
Tourists often bring the following beauty products from Thailand:
Body and hair oils, especially coconut oil;
Lip balms;
Scrubs and shower gels;
Natural lump and liquid soaps with turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger;
Shower gels and balms;
Body, hand, and face creams.
Prices for such products typically start from 15 THB.
Medicines
Medicines brought back from Thailand make excellent gifts for yourself or family members. It's particularly useful to purchase the following medicines from a pharmacy or shopping center:
The world-famous balms for the musculoskeletal system;
Sprays, syrups, and balms for the respiratory system.
Thailand also offers a wide range of BADs (Bio-Active Dietary Supplements), especially vitamin products.
Souvenirs
The following products are renowned as signature souvenirs brought back from Thailand:
Woven baskets, home decorations, and hats of various styles;
Wooden statuettes of deities and architectural monuments;
Metal knives, daggers, and cups;
Leather purses and jewelry, such as bracelets;
Silk scarves and shawls;
Pearl and stone jewelry (starting from 600 THB).
These gifts are available at every corner, both in large tourist centers and small villages.
Tips and Tips: How to Buy
VAT Refund
Thai law allows tourists to receive a VAT Refund (Value Added Tax Refund) of 7% of the purchase amount for goods bought in the country before their departure.
To secure a VAT refund in the future, you need to take specific steps while making your purchase. You should only buy expensive items in stores that offer VAT Refund. To be eligible for a VAT refund, the following conditions must be met:
Notify the salesperson or consultant to complete a PP10 form, which you'll need to present at the airport.
VAT Refund services are available at designated counters labeled "VAT Refund" only at international airports like Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok or Phuket Airport.
Total purchases must exceed 5,000 THB, and each individual item must cost at least 2,000 THB.
Purchases cannot be more than 60 days old, must include original packaging, receipts, and appear unused.
You must not be an airline crew member or a tourist who has been residing in Thailand for more than six months.
You should have a tourist visa or a stamp for a 30-day stay in the country.
If the refund amount exceeds 30,000 THB, you can request the money to be transferred to a bank card.
Shop Opening Hours
Large stores in Thailand typically operate from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, while smaller private stores may close as early as 6:00 PM.
Since locals may not strictly adhere to schedules, it's advisable to plan your shopping a couple of hours before the official closing time and an hour after opening.
Sales in Thailand typically occur around New Year's Eve and during the high season in summer. Discounts can reach as high as 90% off from June to August.
Shops and Markets: Where to Buy
For both valuable items and souvenir trinkets, it's most cost-effective to shop in large shopping centers. However, for an authentic Thai experience, you should explore local markets. There are morning markets that are open until 12:00 AM and night markets that open after sunset.
The best shopping malls in the country include:
Siam Paragon, Central World Plaza, Support, Terminal 21 in Bangkok;
Central Festival Center, Mike Shopping Mall in Pattaya;
Central Festival, Big C, Tesco Lotus in Phuket.
Thailand is home to two major outlet chains:
FN Factory Outlet, with 7 stores located in small communities far from tourist areas;
Premium Outlet Mall, with 6 stores in major cities.
Among the markets that are particularly appealing to tourists are:
Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market;
Pattaya's Thepprasit Night Market;
Phuket's Chatuchak;
Krabi Night Market.
Shopping in Thailand is not just about acquiring goods; it's also about immersing yourself in the unique atmosphere of Asian hospitality.
