Any trip will be remembered for a long time if you return home not empty-handed. A memo or exotic souvenir will serve as the brightest reminder of the adventures you have experienced. But what to bring from Thailand as a souvenir? Inveterate travelers who have visited these sunny regions more than once do not stop at buying goods from the souvenir shops that are located on every corner. They show ingenuity and grab more worthwhile things on the way back - a piece of the unique Asian flavor.
Fruits
Upon arrival in the country, every tourist wants to taste as many exotic fruits as possible. There are a lot of them here, and there are practically no restrictions on their export. Only fresh durian, which has a strong specific odor and is therefore prohibited on board, is not subject to export. This fruit is taken home dried or in the form of chips and sweets. The most delicious practical gift is yellow mango, pineapple and tiny bananas. Unlike rambutans, longans, and "dragon fruit", they are endowed with a taste and form more or less understandable for a Russian person.
The fruit assortment is different in winter and summer. Out of season, prices are 2-3 times higher. The fruits arrive nicely in a suitcase or plastic basket. They must be wrapped in polyethylene, otherwise strong-smelling foods will simply not be allowed on the plane. Sellers usually ask what fruit is for. They will lay down the harder fruits with them and carefully wrap them in paper. Slightly greenish or yellow, they will reach in a week and will be much tastier.
Nuts
Thai nuts are much different from those that find their way to Russian counters. They are fried in pure palm oil, so they have a pleasant crunchy taste. Even ordinary peanuts are unusually appetizing here, which means they can be safely taken home. Cashews are especially useful - they are low in calories, and not too fatty. The price is much cheaper than in Russia.
Here they are fried, sprinkled with pepper, doused in coffee, chocolate, coconut, honey and even wasabi. These colorful, coated nuts are packed in small transparent bags and sold in all stores and even at the airport. Macadamia, the most expensive nut, occupies a leading position in usefulness. He has a hard shell and very tasty kernels. It grows on Mount Doi Tung.
Thailand is one of seven countries in the world that can afford to grow this curiosity. For comparison, macadamia contains 10% more monounsaturated fatty acids than the best olive oil. With a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants, macadamias are extremely beneficial for maintaining skin beauty.
Spice
Condiments and spices of any manufacturer will be an excellent gift for yourself and your friends. They do not deteriorate for a long time and even after a while they are able to remind about hot Thailand and its special cuisine. The only drawback is the presence of monosodium glutamate in the package. They are sold in bags or by weight in spontaneous markets, or in special gardens where they are grown. Seasonings for making Thai soups are sold in almost all supermarkets, and they can be added to ordinary borscht.
Specific spices and various sauces have always been a staple of Asian cuisine. Thanks to them, local dishes get a scalding sweet and sour aftertaste. In this country, a lot of ginger is used for soups and curries. It is eaten fresh and pickled to improve digestion. The bean plant tamarind has long been included in many sauces, as well as the famous tom yama and pad thaw. The fragrant leaves of kaffir lime are eaten. They are torn into pieces or cut into strips, and then added to all kinds of salads, soups and curries.
Tea
Blue tea can be called an original souvenir product. It is made from dried clitoris flowers and is drunk with lemon or lime. And if the brewed green tea usually turns light green, then the blue will be endowed with a real cornflower blue color. It is good for the eyes, skin and memory. The most original ones can be called Rose Buddha made from tiny rose buds, as well as tea made from the fruit of the matum tree. The cheapest herbal and fruit teas can be found in markets and large supermarkets.
They have very colorful packages with inscriptions in Thai, which you can definitely surprise your friends and acquaintances with. The tonic tea - pu-erh - is also in demand. But because of its earthy flavor, it does not suit everyone. This hot Asian drink lowers cholesterol levels and also helps with hangovers. Another exotic tea is Milk Oolong. It tastes sweet with a barely audible creamy aroma. Sold with fruit flavors such as mango, pineapple, coconut. It is packaged as a beautiful souvenir, sold in street shops and pharmacies. The Thai people do not like it, and only offer it to tourists.
Coconut oil
It is no coincidence that natural coconut oil was included in the list of the most sought after souvenirs. It really has unique properties and is not always used for cooking. Choosing a treasured product, preference is given to "Virgin Coconut Oil" cold pressed. They use "Extra Virgin" in food, but it can be used for completely different purposes.
Oil from the grocery department costs several times cheaper and has a decent volume - 250 ml or 500 ml. High-quality oil in the heat takes on an absolutely transparent consistency, but when the thermometer drops below + 25 ° C, it turns white and becomes thick. A small bottle of this cosmetic will not come cheap. You can buy it at any outlet, but it is better to purchase it in cosmetic departments.
In the market, traders have long gotten used to making it right at the door of the buyer, yet the factory product is of the best quality and is free of debris. The locals do not trade them for profit over tourists. Thais themselves use it widely. It is applied to the hair as a mask, softens and nourishes the skin of the face and body, and is also used for an even and safe tan.
Tinctures
All kinds of elixirs of vigor and health are in great demand. For example, a woody tincture called Bang Rung Rang Khai contains 70 herbs and cures 100 diseases. It is a completely natural product without any chemicals or additives, created from medicinal herbs grown on an organic farm. The tincture rejuvenates the body and prolongs life by improving the composition of the blood. The magic remedy is used to increase immunity, relieve pain, increase potency and cleanse the body of toxins.
Another Thai medicinal tincture, Tau Chu Chang, is translated as "an old man will raise an elephant." The main component of the miraculous medicine for all diseases was vodka or whiskey, on which rare herbs and tree bark are infused. Healing balm is drunk along with honey, which is often sold with it in one package. The recommended dose is 50 grams before meals or at bedtime. The drug drunk at night will help relieve fatigue, relax well and normalize sleep.
Natural toothpaste
Many tourists have heard of unusual round boxes of brown toothpaste. It is also sold in the form of tubes and is very good for its quality. As usual, Thai natural toothpastes are made from herbs. There are whitening, baby and other types. Alternatively, you can buy tooth powder, but it will not look like a Russian product either. These jars are enough for a long time. The product foams a lot and only a small drop of this product is required to clean your teeth.
The pastes have a wonderful smell, perfectly clean and whiten tooth enamel. Buying them is quite simple - just go to any retail network. On the spontaneous market, this product costs a little more, but it is completely unprofitable for them to buy at the airport. In simple tubes you can get "Darlie" - a relatively inexpensive and popular brand. Chocolate brown pasta in round boxes is sold right on the city streets. Some users note that it foams a lot and is not always convenient to use.
Vitamins and supplements
It should be noted that goods from Asia have a 100% natural composition of exotic fruits, plants, and minerals. Of course, two suitcases of dietary supplements cannot be taken out of the country, but it is not prohibited by law to buy something for yourself. When buying vitamin complexes and nutritional supplements, you should carefully read the composition. It is on the components that its effectiveness and effect on the body depend.
When choosing vitamin supplements for yourself or your loved ones, you need to rely on their needs, not forgetting that men and women differ physiologically and in chemical composition. Thai vitamins, created by nature itself for women, will help preserve youth, health and beauty for many years. Vitamins for the male half of humanity, capable of endowing with physical strength, potency and good fighting spirit. It can be either various capsules, or juices or dry goji berries. Nature products are also environmentally friendly.
Noni juice
The fruits of the shrub plant morinda lemon-leaved are called noni. It looks like a cactus fruit. The tree bears fruit all year round and is a staple food in some of the Pacific islands. Thais present this juice to tourists as a panacea for most ailments. Its composition is so rich in vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and amino acids that it is recommended to drink it for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Yet it cannot be called a drug.
Fresh noni juices or nam yo onions are dark in color and smell like moldy cheese. Sometimes another juice is added to it to give it a more pleasant taste and smell. After processing, the taste is no longer so vigorous and does not lead to nausea. In any case, this is a natural 100% drink. It is bottled in glass or plastic bottles and sold in small pharmacies or private cosmetics stores. The fruits themselves do not go on sale. They are grown on private plantations only for the production of juice.
Natural soap
Fruit soap can easily become a beautiful universal and profitable souvenir. It is created in the form of miniature fragrant flowers, fruits, animals. It is inexpensive, but craftsmen have contrived to make hand-made carved soap in the form of flowers in wooden cases. These kits will be more expensive than regular packaging. The more fragrant souvenir, the higher the price.
Choosing a multi-colored fragrant gift, you can be sure that it will definitely be used for its intended purpose. It is not necessary to look for it, it will still catch your eye on its own. It is produced from olive, coconut, palm oils with the addition of various additives and essential oils. Additives include honey, silk, apricot pits, plant extracts and milk powder. The cosmetic product is completely natural, not digested from industrial soap products.
Cosmetics
Experienced tourists are advised to buy skin care cosmetics made from natural ingredients. Salt body scrubs from Boots, all kinds of shower gels and hygienic lipsticks are in good demand. Deodorant "Crystal" received excellent reviews, which easily copes with unwanted odors, kills pathogens, does not clog pores and does not leave stains on clothes. The body hygiene product is known for its rather unusual way of application - it must be moistened with water before use.
Natural shampoo, which includes extracts from medicinal herbs, will also be a wonderful purchase. On sale there are whole series of shampoos and masks designed for hair growth. They are considered the best in the world, and can even be gifted to a man. In addition to other cosmetics, snail cosmetics can be distinguished. Thailand in this regard does not lag behind South Korea and produces really high-quality products. The distinctive feature of this product is a painted snail, and the largest selection is found in Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok.
Aloe Vera Gel
Any foreign sunburn remedy brought in is no match for local aloe gel. A clear moisturizer is available in bright green tubes at pharmacies and any other convenience store. The gel, like aloe itself, is able to restore skin damaged by ultraviolet light and heal wounds. In Asian countries, the sun is very active, because sellers bring gel and freshly cut aloe leaves directly to the beach.
Aloe Vera gel relieves irritation, moisturizes and pleasantly cools the skin. Heals minor cuts and scrapes. It is even used for massage and body wrap. If, when applied to the inner side of the hand, there is no discomfort or redness, then the product can be used. With rosacea, it is not used.
Medicines
The most popular medicines that are really worth buying before flying home are Thai balms. They are sold in small jars and resemble the classic "star", but their lids are much easier to open. Packages differ in color and treat various diseases. Some have a powerful warming, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, while others help with sprains, insect bites, chondrosis, muscle spasms.
They are made on the basis of snake venom, natural oils, extracts of healing herbs and plants. Mini-inhalers are being carried as a useful souvenir. Multicolored "sniffers" look like hygienic lipstick, and are used by Thais to invigorate and clear the nose. They are very convenient and cost a mere penny. Essential oils are also in demand, of which there are countless quantities in the shops here. However, they are highly diluted, and such a product can be bought in any other country in the world for the same money.
Paintings
The word "tay" in the local language means "freedom". A special laid-back spirit has reigned here, and the sea breeze has long been mixed with notes of Thai rum and an endless number of beaches. Thanks to the magical combination of natural beauties, the paintings by Thai artists are very lively and full of energy. They depict pristine beaches, blue water, boats and at the same time huge modern cities.
With their splendor of flowers, canvases are able to immerse themselves in the aroma of the tropics, heat and sun. Many travelers who have rested in this wonderful country wish to preserve their vacation in the image. The author's works are made in a unique technique using a palette knife and oil paints. Mountain Phuket is very colorfully depicted, immersed in the luxury of green trees. The combination of colors is not typical of the works of European masters. The range of colors captures only rich tones, and with their help the taste for life is transmitted to the viewer contemplating these wonderful works.
Clothes and footwear
Buying more clothes and shoes at an affordable price and of good quality is the main advantage of a trip to this warm region. It is worth warning that the pricing policy on the islands of Thailand is much higher than on the same mainland, and the most profitable shopping is in the malls. Almost all local tailoring is made from natural raw materials. It makes no sense to carry branded clothes from here, the prices for them are exactly the same as in boutiques in Russia.The population here is small, so there will be no problems with small sizes for young travelers.
For yourself, you can buy colorful cotton clothes made by local craftsmen. These are inexpensive street and beach items that come in a variety of colors. Products made from natural silk will be a wonderful purchase. These can be ready-made expensive products, shawls, scarves, or just fabric cuts. They are quite expensive, but very beautiful. As for leather shoes, they can be purchased a little cheaper than in Russia or from a European manufacturer.
Latex products
Latex products have long been an original souvenir for health. These goods are often intended for Russian consumers, and are exported from the country more often than medicinal ointments and drugs. The only problem with these products is their size, but in terms of their characteristics, pillows, blankets and mattresses are not inferior to orthopedic products. There are many fakes in the markets, and in order not to fall into a hole, you should know the differences.
Natural latex can be matte or grayish. It repels water, not absorbs it. Fakes are mostly yellowish or pure white. After a while, they dry out and begin to break. Real latex products are quality certified and sold in rubber factories, supermarkets and specialty stores. Prices in factories are sky-high, but in large shopping centers they are more adequate. Not every region can please with a good choice, and in some cities this product is simply not available.
Pearl
The country is famous for the production and sale of quality pearls. White, pink and black beads fascinate with their beauty and ideal shape, so the cost depends on their attractiveness. Pearls can be bought anywhere. It is practically not faked, however, there are a lot of defects on the beaches and markets. Defective beads cannot be called jewelry, mostly jewelry.
The largest pearl farms are located in Phuket. There are also jewelry salons and shops that provide quality certificates for their products. It is not difficult to distinguish a fake. Natural pearls bounce off the floor well, while the imitation will roll on it. Real pearl beads do not resemble each other and do not chip when drilled. The mother-of-pearl of a natural pearl shines from the inside, and a fake one has a glassy luster.
Leather products
As a rule, during shopping, belts, handbags, cases for smartphones and tablets, wallets attract attention. They are made of exotic leather of the highest grade and can last for more than one year. For the manufacture of small original things and shoes, Thais use the skin of an alligator, stingray, python and sea snakes. The most expensive things are considered crocodile. Each such product has a peculiar pattern that never repeats. The manufacturing process is very complicated, which means that low prices should not be expected.
In order not to bring home a counterfeit, many tourists require a quality certificate from sellers. Such documents are issued in a specialized store, where it is not scary to buy leather goods. In order not to miscalculate, it is better to know how to distinguish phony material from the real one. Genuine leather is able to heat up when touched. It is not smooth, but is dotted with all kinds of irregularities, scales, wrinkles.
Electronics
Photographic equipment and electronics here are much cheaper than on the Russian market, and therefore many manage to bring it even for sale. In a huge assortment, every time you can find a vending gadget of the latest model, which has not appeared yet in Russia. In a store with a VAT Refund for Tourists sign, you can get up to 7% refund. Traditionally, the best selection of goods is found in Bangkok. But on the islands there is no longer such an opportunity.
Originals of well-known world brands are considered the most popular goods, but their high-quality copies are also popular among visiting people. Imitation is being brought from China, but this is not bad at all. A profitable purchase will be: laptops, cameras, iPads, iPhones, computer components, but you should check the goods for defects immediately without leaving the cash register.
Natural silk
Savvy manufacturers have long understood that natural silk is highly valued abroad, and began to mix it with synthetic threads. But even this drawback is not a hindrance to buying, because the thing still looks decent, but much cheaper. It is easy to distinguish between fabrics, knowing their characteristics. Genuine silk is obliged to shimmer with several colors, and artificial silk has only a white tint. It burns well and gives off a pungent smell like burnt hair. Unnatural material - too smooth, without any knots and pellets.
Bed linen is also made from Thai silk. Natural fibers allow you to relax in comfort. For real quality, it is better to go to the specialty stores that dot the shopping centers of the country's largest cities. Silk paintings can be considered as unusual souvenirs that deserve special attention. These are real works of art that needlewomen have been creating by hand for a couple of decades.
