Souvenirs from Thailand - On every trip, every traveller eventually asks themselves: what should I bring back as a souvenir for my loved ones? Many spur-of-the-moment purchases quickly turn out to be dust collectors and end up stashed away in a box somewhere. In this article we want to show you our top 10 souvenirs from Thailand.
Folding fruit basketThe top 10 souvenirs
This collapsible wooden basket is a truly original, space-saving design marvel. It can be used not just as a table decoration, fruit bowl or gift basket, but also as a practical mat or trivet. It's a real eye-catcher, sturdy and neatly made. Thanks to its light, modern look, it's timeless and fits into any home. A must-have for every household. You'll really only find this fruit basket at the famous travelling markets that pop up in a different town every day of the week.
You can read more about these markets here: Top 10 Night Markets on Koh SamuiTraditional placematsThe top 10 souvenirs
These highly decorative, woven placemats are made from sturdy, natural bamboo and give off all the charm of the Land of Smiles. They usually come in a choice of different colours, such as red, bronze and green. The set typically consists of 8 pieces – 4 large mats for plates and 4 small coasters for glasses. With these special kitchen accessories, you'll achieve a stylish table setting that not only looks great but also protects and keeps your table clean at the same time.
The placemats are low-maintenance and very well made. These eye-catching bamboo sets, at around 46 x 33 cm, don't have to be used only in the dining area – they can also brighten up your rooms as part of your décor. The possibilities are endless!
Handbags & bagsThe top 10 souvenirs
The choice of handbags in Thailand is even bigger than in Europe. From all the well-known brand names to natural products like bamboo, coconut or denim, you'll find everything your heart desires here. You'll typically find a huge range of sizes, designs, colours and shapes, at various quality levels and price points, in small shops and on walking streets.
Of course, many of the handbags are well-made fakes of the original manufacturer's product. Fair bargaining and haggling are also part of the job – if you decide on one or several handbags, you're sure to get a good price. In the large shopping malls, though, you'll also find genuine handbags, where prices can be identical to, or even a bit higher than, in Europe.
Hand-carved soapsThe top 10 souvenirs
You'll find these in every colour and variation, in countless boutiques and at the famous travelling markets. These intricate, very time-consuming hand-carved soaps are shaped into flowers or similar objects. Packaged in an attractive wooden bowl, they make the perfect gift souvenir from Thailand.
They also come in fruit designs, with matching scents. At a low price of 60-200 THB, this is the perfect gift for the folks back home.
Clothing & silkThe top 10 souvenirs
Thanks to its hand-weaving process, Thai silk is something really special. To achieve a soft, high-quality fabric, the silkworms that produce the natural protein fibres are specially fed with mulberry leaves. This authentic Thai silk is then used to make things like scarves, made-to-measure shirts, ties, cushion covers, bags or wallets. A tailor-made suit or a quality silk shirt can cost up to 70% less than back home. Just be sure to allow at least 3 days for it to be finished, and check in advance exactly what measurements you'll need!
Tuk-tuk modelThe top 10 souvenirs
The tuk-tuk (a motorised three-wheeler) has become a national symbol of Thailand. Especially among tourists, the tuk-tuk is a very popular means of transport for short distances. Tuk-tuks were invented in Thailand over 50 years ago and developed into a motorised relative of the rickshaw. The tuk-tuk got its name from the sound of its single-cylinder engine: "tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk".
These souvenirs from Thailand come in many fun designs, with colourful underbody lighting, loud sport exhausts and tricked-out sound systems. You'll find most tuk-tuks in Bangkok. These model replicas make a really great souvenir, with a fun reminder of Thailand's street traffic.
Muay Thai shortsThe top 10 souvenirs
Muay Thai is Thailand's most famous national sport and is widespread across Asia. Just as it's common for us to go and play football from a young age, in Thailand kids train in Muay Thai instead. The short Muay Thai shorts are usually made from a very hard-wearing fabric.
They come in sizes from toddlers all the way up to 3XL, in all sorts of colours, and from well-known brands such as Venum, Twins Special, Thaismai, and many more. You'll find these colourful shorts in the most extraordinary designs in most sports shops and small clothing stores.
Wood carvingsThe top 10 souvenirs
The elephant is an authentic symbol of Thailand and makes a wonderful souvenir or gift for friends and family back home. There's a bit of everything – from ornaments and paintings to wood carvings, or even colourful bags featuring an elephant design.
It's really interesting to see the sheer range of products on offer everywhere. With such a huge selection of variations, colours and sizes, prices can vary a lot. The cheapest place to get wood carvings is at the popular travelling markets, since you can really negotiate there. You can also get your purchased item securely packed for transport there, so your souvenirs from Thailand make it home safe and undamaged on the flight.
Spice mixes & saucesThe top 10 souvenirs
You'll experience the full flavour of Asian cuisine through the delicate spice blends the Thais use to skilfully and individually prepare exactly the dish you're after. Not everything in Thailand is spicy or hot – some of the curry flavours are actually mild, but still very intense in taste.
There's a huge range of unusual spices that give a soup or sauce that certain something extra. Among other places, you'll find various ready-made spice mixes at many markets and in the big supermarkets, which will bring back great memories when you cook with them back home. Our personal favourite is green curry with coconut milk!
Coconut productsThe top 10 souvenirs
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to its many benefits and uses – whether it's used as an effective natural beauty product that protects skin and hair from damage, or for cooking. The extracted flesh is often grated and turned into delicious ice cream or sweets. It has a lovely fragrance and, thanks to its richness in potassium, sodium, iron and calcium, is popular and genuinely very healthy. In Thailand you'll also often find very decorative coconut souvenirs, such as lampshades or carved figures. If you haven't tried coconut yet, you should definitely make up for that. A visit to a coconut plantation is absolutely worth it. You can book your trip here: www.kohsamui.tours
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This collapsible wooden basket is a truly original, space-saving design marvel. It can be used not just as a table decoration, fruit bowl or gift basket, but also as a practical mat or trivet. It's a real eye-catcher, sturdy and neatly made. Thanks to its light, modern look, it's timeless and fits into any home. A must-have for every household. You'll really only find this fruit basket at the famous travelling markets that pop up in a different town every day of the week.
You can read more about these markets here: Top 10 Night Markets on Koh Samui
These highly decorative, woven placemats are made from sturdy, natural bamboo and give off all the charm of the Land of Smiles. They usually come in a choice of different colours, such as red, bronze and green. The set typically consists of 8 pieces – 4 large mats for plates and 4 small coasters for glasses. With these special kitchen accessories, you'll achieve a stylish table setting that not only looks great but also protects and keeps your table clean at the same time.
The placemats are low-maintenance and very well made. These eye-catching bamboo sets, at around 46 x 33 cm, don't have to be used only in the dining area – they can also brighten up your rooms as part of your décor. The possibilities are endless!
The choice of handbags in Thailand is even bigger than in Europe. From all the well-known brand names to natural products like bamboo, coconut or denim, you'll find everything your heart desires here. You'll typically find a huge range of sizes, designs, colours and shapes, at various quality levels and price points, in small shops and on walking streets.
Of course, many of the handbags are well-made fakes of the original manufacturer's product. Fair bargaining and haggling are also part of the job – if you decide on one or several handbags, you're sure to get a good price. In the large shopping malls, though, you'll also find genuine handbags, where prices can be identical to, or even a bit higher than, in Europe.
You'll find these in every colour and variation, in countless boutiques and at the famous travelling markets. These intricate, very time-consuming hand-carved soaps are shaped into flowers or similar objects. Packaged in an attractive wooden bowl, they make the perfect gift souvenir from Thailand.
They also come in fruit designs, with matching scents. At a low price of 60-200 THB, this is the perfect gift for the folks back home.
Thanks to its hand-weaving process, Thai silk is something really special. To achieve a soft, high-quality fabric, the silkworms that produce the natural protein fibres are specially fed with mulberry leaves. This authentic Thai silk is then used to make things like scarves, made-to-measure shirts, ties, cushion covers, bags or wallets. A tailor-made suit or a quality silk shirt can cost up to 70% less than back home. Just be sure to allow at least 3 days for it to be finished, and check in advance exactly what measurements you'll need!
The tuk-tuk (a motorised three-wheeler) has become a national symbol of Thailand. Especially among tourists, the tuk-tuk is a very popular means of transport for short distances. Tuk-tuks were invented in Thailand over 50 years ago and developed into a motorised relative of the rickshaw. The tuk-tuk got its name from the sound of its single-cylinder engine: "tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk".
These souvenirs from Thailand come in many fun designs, with colourful underbody lighting, loud sport exhausts and tricked-out sound systems. You'll find most tuk-tuks in Bangkok. These model replicas make a really great souvenir, with a fun reminder of Thailand's street traffic.
Muay Thai is Thailand's most famous national sport and is widespread across Asia. Just as it's common for us to go and play football from a young age, in Thailand kids train in Muay Thai instead. The short Muay Thai shorts are usually made from a very hard-wearing fabric.
They come in sizes from toddlers all the way up to 3XL, in all sorts of colours, and from well-known brands such as Venum, Twins Special, Thaismai, and many more. You'll find these colourful shorts in the most extraordinary designs in most sports shops and small clothing stores.
The elephant is an authentic symbol of Thailand and makes a wonderful souvenir or gift for friends and family back home. There's a bit of everything – from ornaments and paintings to wood carvings, or even colourful bags featuring an elephant design.
It's really interesting to see the sheer range of products on offer everywhere. With such a huge selection of variations, colours and sizes, prices can vary a lot. The cheapest place to get wood carvings is at the popular travelling markets, since you can really negotiate there. You can also get your purchased item securely packed for transport there, so your souvenirs from Thailand make it home safe and undamaged on the flight.
You'll experience the full flavour of Asian cuisine through the delicate spice blends the Thais use to skilfully and individually prepare exactly the dish you're after. Not everything in Thailand is spicy or hot – some of the curry flavours are actually mild, but still very intense in taste.
There's a huge range of unusual spices that give a soup or sauce that certain something extra. Among other places, you'll find various ready-made spice mixes at many markets and in the big supermarkets, which will bring back great memories when you cook with them back home. Our personal favourite is green curry with coconut milk!
Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to its many benefits and uses – whether it's used as an effective natural beauty product that protects skin and hair from damage, or for cooking. The extracted flesh is often grated and turned into delicious ice cream or sweets. It has a lovely fragrance and, thanks to its richness in potassium, sodium, iron and calcium, is popular and genuinely very healthy. In Thailand you'll also often find very decorative coconut souvenirs, such as lampshades or carved figures. If you haven't tried coconut yet, you should definitely make up for that. A visit to a coconut plantation is absolutely worth it. You can book your trip here: www.kohsamui.tours
