Any trip will be remembered for a long time if you return home not empty-handed. A memo or an exotic souvenir will serve as the most vivid reminder of the adventures experienced. But what to bring from Thailand as a memorable souvenir? Inveterate travelers who have visited these sunny lands more than once do not stop at buying goods from souvenir shops located on every corner. They show ingenuity and grab more valuable things on their way back – a piece of unique Asian flavor.

Fruit

Upon arrival in the country, every tourist wants to taste as many exotic fruits as possible. There are a great many of them here, besides, there are practically no restrictions on their export. Only fresh durian is not subject to export, which has a strong specific smell and is therefore prohibited on board the aircraft. This fruit is brought home dried or in the form of chips and sweets. Yellow mangoes, pineapples and tiny bananas are considered the most delicious practical gift. Unlike rambutans, longans, and “dragon fruit”, they are endowed with a more or less understandable taste and shape for a Russian person.

Fruit assortment differs in winter and summer seasons. 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 products will simply not be allowed into the plane. Sellers usually ask what fruit is for. With them, they will fold the harder fruits 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 fall on Russian shelves. They are fried in pure palm oil, so they have a pleasant crunchy taste. Even ordinary peanuts are extremely appetizing here, which means that you can safely take them 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 roasted, sprinkled with pepper, rolled in coffee, chocolate, coconut, honey and even wasabi. These multi-colored shelled nuts are packaged in small transparent bags and sold in all stores and even at the airport. The leading position in terms of usefulness is occupied by macadamia – the most expensive nut. It has a strong shell and very appetizing kernels. It grows on Mount Doi Tung.

Thailand is one of seven countries in the world that can afford to grow this curiosity. In comparison, macadamia contains 10% more monounsaturated fatty acids than the best olive oil. With a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants, macadamia is extremely beneficial for maintaining beautiful skin.

Spices

Seasonings 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 you of hot Thailand and its special cuisine. The only negative 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 you can add them to ordinary borsch.

Specific spices and various sauces have always been the basis of Asian cuisine. Thanks to them, local dishes get a burning sweet and sour taste. This country uses a lot of ginger for soups and curries. It is eaten fresh and pickled to improve digestion. The legume tamarind has long been a part of many sauces, as well as the famous tom yam and pad thai. The odorous 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 clitoria flowers and drunk with lemon or lime. And if brewed green tea usually turns light green, then blue will be endowed with a real cornflower blue color. It is good for eyes, skin and memory. The most original can be called Rose Buddha from tiny rose buds, as well as tea from the fruits of the matum tree. The cheapest herbal and fruit teas are 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. Tonic tea – pu-erh is also in demand. But because of its earthy taste, it is not suitable for everyone. This hot Asian drink lowers cholesterol and helps with hangovers. Another exotic tea is Milk Oolong. It is sweet in taste with a barely audible creamy aroma. Sold with fruit additives 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 offer it only to tourists.

Coconut oil

It is no coincidence that natural coconut oil is on the list of the most sought-after souvenirs. It really has unique properties, and is not always used for cooking. When choosing a treasured remedy, cold-pressed Virgin Coconut Oil is preferred. “Extra Virgin” is used for food, but it can also be used for completely different purposes.

Oil from the grocery department is 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 product will not be cheap. You can buy it at any outlet, but it is better to buy it in the cosmetic departments.

In the market, merchants have long gotten used to making it right in front of the buyer, yet the factory product has the best quality and is free of debris. The locals do not sell them for the sake of profiting from tourists. The 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 vitality and health are in great demand. For example, a woody tincture called Bang Rung Rang Khai consists of 70 herbs and treats 100 diseases. This is a completely natural product without any chemicals and 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. A magical remedy is used to increase immunity, pain relief, 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 drug for all diseases was vodka or whiskey, on which rare herbs and tree bark are infused. Healing balm is drunk 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 about unusual round boxes with brown toothpaste. It is also sold in the form of tubes and is very good for its quality. Like conventional, Thai natural toothpastes are made from herbs. There are bleaching, children‘s and other types. As an option, you can buy tooth powder, but it will also not look like a Russian product. These cans last a long time. The product lathers strongly and only a small drop of this product is required for brushing your teeth.

Pastes have a wonderful smell, perfectly clean and whiten tooth enamel. Buying them is quite simple – just go to any retail chain. On the spontaneous market, this product costs a little more, and it is completely unprofitable to buy it at the airport. In simple tubes, you can buy “Darlie” – this is a relatively inexpensive and popular brand. Chocolate-brown paste in round boxes is sold right on the city streets. Some users note that it foams a lot and it is not always convenient to use it.

Vitamins and nutritional supplements

It is worth noting that products from Asia have a 100% natural composition of exotic fruits, plants, minerals. Of course, you won't be able to take two suitcases of dietary supplements out of the country, but it’s not forbidden 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 depends.

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 maintain youth, health and beauty for many years. Vitamins for the male half of humanity are able to give physical strength, potency and good fighting spirit. It can be both various capsules, and juices or dry goji berries. Natural products are also environmentally friendly.

Bread juice

The fruits of the shrub plant morinda lemon-leaf are called noni. It looks like a cactus fruit. The tree bears fruit all year round and is a staple food in some 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 juice or nam onion yo is dark in color and smells like moldy cheese. Sometimes other juice is added to it to give 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 100% natural drink. It is poured into glass or plastic bottles and sold in small pharmacies or private cosmetics stores. The fruits themselves are not for sale. They are grown on private plantations only for making 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 not expensive, but craftsmen have contrived to make carved handmade soap in the form of flowers in wooden cases. These kits will be more expensive than regular packaging. The more odorous 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 the eye itself. It is produced from olive, coconut, palm oils with the addition of various additives and essential oils. Additives include honey, silk, apricot kernels, plant extracts and milk powder. Cosmetic product – completely natural, not digested from industrial soap products.

Cosmetics

Experienced tourists are advised to buy skincare products made from natural ingredients. Salt body scrubs from Boots, all kinds of shower gels and hygienic lipsticks are in good demand. Crystal deodorant received excellent reviews, which easily copes with unwanted odor, kills pathogens, does not clog pores and does not leave stains on clothes. The product for body hygiene is known for its rather unusual method of application – it must be moistened with water before use.

A 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 be given even to a man. Among 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 sign of this product is a painted snail, and the largest selection is in Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok.

Aloe Vera Gel

Any imported foreign remedy for sunburn cannot be compared with the local aloe gel. A transparent moisturizer is sold in bright green tubes in pharmacies and any other stores. The gel, like aloe itself, is able to restore skin damaged by ultraviolet radiation and heal wounds. In Asian countries, the sun is very active, so sellers take 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. With the help of it, they even do massage and wrapping. If there is no discomfort or redness when applying it to the inside of the hand, then the product can be used. When rosacea is not used.

Medications

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 “asterisk”, but their lids open much easier. The 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, and muscle spasms.

They are made on the basis of snake venom, natural oils, extracts of healing herbs and plants. Mini-inhalers are carried as a useful souvenir. Multi-colored “sniffers” outwardly resemble hygienic lipstick, and are used by Thais for cheerfulness and cleaning the nose. They are very comfortable, and cost mere pennies. Essential oils are also in demand, and there are a myriad of them 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 “tai” in the local language means “freedom”. A special laid-back spirit 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 beauty, the paintings painted by Thai artists are very lively and full of energy. They depict the cleanest beaches, blue water, boats and at the same time huge modern cities.

With their splendor of flowers, canvases are able to immerse in the aroma of the tropics, warmth and sun. Many travelers who have rested in this wonderful country wish to keep their vacation in the image. Author's works are made in a unique technique using a palette knife and oil paints. The mountainous Phuket is depicted very colorfully, immersed in the luxury of green trees. The combination of colors is not typical of the works of European masters. The color range captures only saturated tones, and with their help, the taste for life is transmitted to the viewer contemplating these wonderful works.

Clothing 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 shopping centers. Almost all local tailoring items are made from natural raw materials. It makes no sense to bring branded clothes from here, the prices for them are exactly the same as in Russian boutiques. The population here is small in stature, so there will be no problems with small sizes for young travelers.

For yourself, you can buy colorful cotton clothes sewn by local craftsmen. These are inexpensive things for the street and the beach, which amaze with a variety of colors. A wonderful acquisition will be products made from natural silk. It can be finished expensive products, scarves, scarves, or just cuts of fabric. 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 pillows, blankets and mattresses are not inferior to orthopedic products in terms of their characteristics. There are many fakes in the markets, and in order not to get into trouble, you should know the differences.

Natural latex is matte or grayish tint. It repels water instead of absorbing it. Fakes are mostly yellowish or pure white. After a while, they dry out and begin to break. Real latex products have a quality certificate and are sold in rubber factories, supermarkets and specialty stores. Prices in factories are exorbitant, and in large shopping centers they are more adequate. Not every region can please with a good choice, and in some cities there is simply no such product.

Pearl

The country is famous for the production and sale of quality pearls. White, pink and black beads fascinate with their beauty and perfect shape, so the cost depends on their attractiveness. Pearls can be bought anywhere. It is practically not faked, but there is a lot of marriage on the beaches and markets. Defective beads cannot be called jewelry, basically they are costume jewelry.

The largest pearl farms are located in Phuket. Jewelry stores and shops that provide quality certificates for their products have also settled there. It is not difficult to distinguish a fake. Natural pearls bounce off the floor well, while imitation pearls 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, while a fake one has a glassy sheen.

Leather products

As a rule, during shopping, attention is drawn to belts, handbags, cases for smartphones and tablets, and wallets. They are made of exotic leather of the highest grade, and can last 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. Crocodile items are considered the most expensive. Each such product has a unique pattern that never repeats. The manufacturing process is very complex, which means you should not expect small prices.

In order not to bring home a fake, many tourists require a certificate of quality 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 fake material from the real one. Genuine leather can heat up when touched. It is not smooth, but dotted with all sorts of irregularities, scales, wrinkles.

Electronics

Photo 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 the gadget of the latest model that you like, which has not yet appeared in Russia. In a store with a VAT Refund for Tourists sign, up to 7% of the cost can be returned. By tradition, the best selection of goods is in Bangkok. But on the islands, this is no longer possible.

The originals of famous world brands are considered the most popular goods, but their high-quality copies are also popular among visiting people. Imitation is brought from China, but it's not bad at all. A bargain will be: laptops, cameras, iPads, iPhones, computer components, equipment, 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 they began to mix it with synthetic threads. But even this drawback is not a hindrance to the purchase, because the thing still looks decent, but much cheaper. Distinguishing fabrics is easy, knowing their features. Genuine silk must shimmer in several colors, while artificial silk has only a white tint. It burns well and emits a pungent smell like burnt hair. Non-natural material – too smooth, without any knots and spools.

Bed linen is also made from Thai silk along with clothes. Natural fibers allow you to relax with comfort. For real quality, it is better to go to specialized stores, which are dotted with shopping centers of the country's largest cities. Silk paintings can be attributed to unusual souvenirs that deserve special attention. These are real works of art that needlewomen have been creating by hand for a couple of decades.