What to bring from Thailand

Going on vacation to Thailand and already planned how you'll shop in sanctioned stores, but don't know what authentic things to buy for yourself and friends as a gift or souvenir? In this article, we will answer in detail the question of what to bring from Thailand.

Food and Drinks

Fruits

The most popular souvenir is exotic fruits. It's not surprising to encounter enterprising sellers of exotic goods on a flight from Moscow — Bangkok heading to Thailand for merchandise. Most often, mango, dragon fruit, lychee, passion fruit, pineapple, and papaya are brought to Russia. However, there are also fruits in the country that are not found in Russia. We recommend bringing:

• amla — a very sour fruit, rich in vitamin C;
• tamarind — a fruit that tastes like dates;
• noi na or sugar apple — a fruit with green scaly skin;
• sapodilla — a fruit that tastes like caramel or boiled condensed milk;
• chompoo or rose apple — a juicy crunchy fruit; 
• rambutan — hairy fruits with a grape-like taste;
• salak — a sweet and sour fruit, tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana. 

You won't be able to bring durian from Thailand — this fruit with a pungent smell is not allowed on board, neither in hand luggage nor in checked baggage. You also won't be able to take a coconut — it cannot be scanned during inspection, and a watermelon won't pass either due to its fragility.

Tea

Over the years of tea cultivation in Thailand, several varieties have been developed. These are worth bringing as souvenirs.

• Ginseng tea — it is drunk in Thailand for body rejuvenation and immune system strengthening. Local doctors even recommend drinking this tea for a 20-day course.
• Red mushroom tea, strengthens immunity. The tea color is exotically pink, and the taste is bitter.
• Jasmine tea — one of the most popular among Thais. It tastes sweet, with floral notes.
• Blue tea from Thai orchid petals. It is believed to speed up metabolism and strengthen immunity. 
• Emerald tea — creamy, with vanilla notes and a herbal aroma, it refreshes and invigorates the body. Usually served with condensed milk.
• Noni fruit tea — for vigor.

Sauces

You can recreate the vibrant flavors of authentic Thai cuisine at home if you bring the right sauces from Thailand. For example, you can take:

• Nam Prik Pla (Nam Prik Pla) — a mix of fish sauce with hot peppers and lime;
• Sweet Chili Sauce (Sweet Chili Sauce) — a sweet and spicy sauce, ideal for chicken, fish, or vegetables;
• Nam Prik Pao (Nam Prik Pao) — Thai sauce made from roasted hot peppers, shrimp, onions, and garlic;
• Satay (Satay Sauce) — a sauce made from peanut paste, coconut milk, soy, and spices;
• Nam Jim Seafood (Nam Jim Seafood) — a mix of lemon juice, fish sauce, garlic, and hot peppers;
• Nam Pla Wan (Nam Pla Wan) — sweet fish sauce with hot pepper and coconut sugar.

To prevent anything from spilling in your luggage, make sure the sauces are packed in airtight jars or unbreakable plastic bottles.

Alcohol

Here, intoxicating drinks are made from rice. The most popular is rice wine: it tastes like beer, sake, and cider all at once. The drinks are quite diverse: there's 40-proof “Sang Som” rum, often mixed with cola, and “Hong Thong” whiskey with 35% alcohol content, and brandy — often mixed with mango juice.

To the question “How much alcohol can be carried on a plane?” we answer immediately: no more than two liters, and for import — no more than one liter: to avoid an awkward situation at customs inspection, we recommend studying entry rules for Thailand.

Cosmetics and Hygiene Products

Coconut Oil

A magical ingredient for creams and lotions — coconut oil. It moisturizes and nourishes, making it ideal for skin care.

Thanaka Powder

Thanaka is a tree bark powder used in Thailand for skin care. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, protects from the sun, and prevents acne.

Sea Salt Scrubs

These Thai-made scrubs help remove dead skin cells and make the skin smooth and radiant.

Snake Oil Soap

Snake oil contains amino acids and collagen, which promote skin regeneration, improve its elasticity, and reduce wrinkles.

Toothpaste

Local herbal toothpastes not only eliminate bad breath and harmful bacteria but also gently whiten teeth.

Silk Cocoons

Silkworm cocoons are the most unexpected beauty product. They are placed on fingers and used to massage steamed facial skin — the cocoons remove all dead skin cells.

Mineral Deodorant

A natural deodorant in the form of a solid stone of mining-volcanic origin effectively eliminates sweat odor and does not clog pores.

Anticipating your questions, you can take cosmetics in your hand luggage. So, treat yourself to new purchases. Just don't forget to read the baggage allowance rules for airplanes before checking your luggage. What if there's an overweight issue, and then, alas, there will be no joy from souvenirs.

Medicinal Products

We advise choosing such gifts with caution — always consult a doctor before use. 

Balms 

• Tiger Balm — a universal pain reliever. White relieves nausea and headaches, while red alleviates muscle spasms.
• Yellow Balm — a remedy for sciatica, arthritis, varicose veins. It improves blood circulation and helps restore muscles after sprains or bruises.
• Black Balm “108 Herbs” restores tissues — helps even with deep cuts.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera juice-based gel restores skin after various burns, no worse than “Panthenol”, reduces itching from insect bites, and disinfects.

Noni Juice 

Thais consider the noni tree a panacea for many diseases: its juice improves digestion, strengthens the immune system, and prevents cardiovascular diseases.

Fah Talai Jone Capsules

A safe natural antibiotic: lowers fever, fights viruses, and strengthens immunity.

Cobratoxan Ointment

Ointment based on cobra venom has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves pain in muscles, joints, back, and neck.

Mangosteen Iodine

A natural antiseptic that replaces brilliant green and iodine. Stops bleeding and disinfects wounds.

Clothing and Jewelry

Silk Items

Robes, dresses, ties, pajamas — items made of natural silk can be bought at all major resorts in Thailand. Don't be alarmed by irregularities and imperfections: silk items are handmade by artisans, so this is quite acceptable.

Jewelry

In Thailand, jewelry with emeralds, diamonds, and star rubies is relatively inexpensive, and the country is also famous for its high-quality cuts. It's best to buy jewelry in large jewelry stores — you definitely won't be cheated there. 

Most often, tourists bring sapphires or pearls from their trip. Pearls are generally one of the best gift options from Thailand. Here you can find both sea pearls (more expensive) and river pearls (cheaper, because one oyster yields more pearls) — pearl farms are mainly concentrated in Phuket. If you are going there and are already monitoring flights to Phuket, check out our guide to know what to see in Phuket and quickly get oriented.

Crocodile Leather Products

Another idea of what to bring from Thailand if you plan to update your wardrobe and add style to your looks. Crocodile leather bags, belts, and wallets are best bought at crocodile farms in specialized stores — you won't be sold a fake there. 

For Home

Aromatic Oils and Incense

Thailand is a great place to stock up on essential oils and incense: they are made from local spices and plants such as lemongrass, patchouli, and ylang-ylang.

Souvenirs

Miniature Buddha figurines (statues over 15 cm cannot be exported), elephant figures, incense holders, and other oriental home decor items — such souvenirs from Thailand will add coziness to your interior and remind you of your vacation.

Hammock

Even if you're leaving Thailand, why deny yourself the pleasure of relaxing in a hammock? They are sold by street vendors in markets, on beaches, and in all tourist spots — you can take one with you and hang it at home or at your dacha.

Works by Local Artisans

Thai art will adorn any interior, so if you have space left in your luggage, go explore the works of local artists.

Thailand is known for its artisans who produce items from teak wood. Teak is a type of wood used to make three-dimensional paintings, furniture, and figurines. If you look closely at such an item, you will be amazed by the craftsmanship with which the smallest details are created. Such souvenirs are quite expensive, so if you want to purchase something similar, we recommend visiting a teak factory, where you will definitely be offered quality goods.

You can also take Thai paintings with you: local artists most often depict animals, nature, or something spiritual.

Latex Pillows and Mattresses

Rubber production is highly developed in Thailand — latex is made from rubber. Pillows and mattresses made from genuine Thai latex will last twenty years — although they are not always convenient to transport, a peaceful sleep is worth it, and buying them back home would be several times more expensive.

We wish you a great vacation in Thailand and hope you buy all the most important things there!