E-lyn ThamAh, Bangkok. Many people venture to this renowned land of shopping, yummy eats, and plentiful booze, excited to see what’s in store. How often have you listened to your fellow friends wax lyrical about their loots from Platinum Shopping Centre, or their bag of bargains from Chatuchak Market?
However, cheap tops and dresses aside, here are 17 things to buy in Bangkok you can’t leave without!
Food
1. Suthera’s Thai Coconut Roll
Image credit: Suthera
Want the perfect melt-in-your-mouth Thai dessert? Well, it doesn’t get better than Suthera’s Thai Coconut Roll! This delectable sweet treat is a local product of Kanchanaburi province of Thailand and is made with the finest ingredients. The star ingredient of the Thai coconut roll is coconut milk made from the freshest coconuts, evidenced by the fragrance and flavour of the coconut.
Additionally, Suthera’s Thai coconut roll is packaged with advanced quality control to preserve the dessert’s original taste. Customers can enjoy this dessert in different flavours ranging from original and banana to pandan as well as durian!
2. Instant Phad Thai
Image credit: Kin-Dee
Phad Thai is one of Thailand’s local delicacies and is immensely popular among tourists and locals. It’s commonly found in many restaurants across Bangkok, or even at the countless street stalls everywhere you go. Now you can bring a taste of Thailand home with you — just add hot water and voila! Steaming hot delicious Phad Thai, ready in seconds. Dig in!
3. Mama Tom Yum noodles
Image credit: Twentyfour Students
Similar to Instant Phad Thai, the MAMA brand of instant noodles has taken Bangkok by storm. Best liked for its Tom Yum Flavour, MAMA instant noodles come in small plastic packets that are easy to pack into your suitcase! The Tom Yum flavoured noodles are super shiok; add a fried egg on top for extra oomph!
4. Bento squid
Image credit: Must Thai
Bento Squid is one of Thailand’s most popular snacks, known for being “Super Shiok Spicy”! It has a really strong squid taste, so if you’re not a fan of squid, this snack isn’t for you! But if you’re a fan of squid, you’ll absolutely adore the incredible flavour!
5. Koh-Kae peanuts
Image credit: Must Thai
These peanuts are an iconic Thai snack, all thanks to the distinctive packaging and striking colours. The peanuts come in an assortment of flavours, from coconut cream to tom yum to barbeque — there’s something for everyone!
6. Royal Chitralada milk candy
Image credit: A lil of everything from Bangkok
These milk biscuits are immensely popular among locals, and it’s often said that you’re not a Thai if you don’t know about this yummy snack! The biscuits come in two flavours: original milk flavour, and chocolate. Take it from the Thais — this is one snack that you’re guaranteed to love!
7. Instant Thai milk tea
Image credit: Must Thai
Who doesn’t love the ultimate Thai drink, Thai Iced milk tea? It’s the perfect refreshing drink for a hot humid day in Bangkok, and even more so in Singapore. You must buy Nestea’s instant sachets so you can have Thai iced tea instantly all day, everyday!
8. Oishi black tea
Image credit: Rakuten
This drink can be found in Singapore, but black tea (lemon flavour) can only be found in Thailand. Energise your day with a delectable blend of black tea and lemon, and enjoy the refreshing contrast of sweet and sour!
Also read: 8 Must-Buy Treats From Bangkok’s Big C Supercenter
Clothes and fabric
9. Tailor-made clothes
Image credit: Imola Gracia Marjai
Bangkok is the self-proclaimed mecca of tailor-made clothes, and rightly so. Tailor-make a piece of clothing at bargain prices, and receive the end product within a matter of days. Be the envy of all your peers when you buy and bring home an immaculate suit or dress at a steal!
10. Thai silks and fabrics
Image credit: Brian Jeffery Beggerly
Besides clothes, do check out the plethora of ornate Thai silks and fabrics available in Bangkok. Bring home a beautiful table runner, or silky silks as souvenirs for family and friends!
Household Decorations
11. Fairy lights
Image credit: Jirka Matousek
Add a little magic and sparkle to your walls with these fairy lights shaped like cotton balls! The lights come in a variety of colours and shapes — flowers, footballs, and so on!
12. Thai soap ornaments
Image credit: Patrick Ohnewein
Feast your eyes on a wide range of beautiful soap ornaments, each intricately carved and elegantly shaped. It’s hard to believe that the ornaments are in fact made of soap; it’s so lovely, we’re sure you will not bear to wash your hands with it! Instead, many locals and tourists choose to enjoy the fragrances and display these ornaments for decorative purposes.
Medicinal products
13. Tiger Balm
Image credit: Tiger Balm
Tiger Balm: the solution to all your aches and pains! True to the company’s motto, it indeed “works where it hurts”. It provides pain relief for all forms of ailments, promising expedited — if not instant – relief! Suitable for both the young and old, Tiger Balm serves as a great (and cheap) buy from Thailand.
14. Takabb anti-cough pill
Image credit: Th Shop
The Takabb anti-cough pill is a local remedy that is known to work wonders. It’s rumoured that once you put the pill into your mouth, your cough would immediately stop!
15. Siang pure oil
Siang pure oil is known to be a miracle worker for five common ailments: mosquito bites, muscular aches, dizziness, blocked nose, and stomach ache. It’s especially famous for being a fast-acting agent, and promises near to instantaneous relief!
16. Pim Saen Nam
Calling those who suffer from motion sickness; this balm oil roll-on is a godsend! It’s especially useful for long-haul travel, or simply for jerky car rides that get the stomach churning. Simply dab a little of this on your temples and voila — as good as new.
17. Bath & Bloom products
Image credit: Amazon
Be soothed by Bath & Bloom’s Thai Jasmine scent, guaranteed to loosen all your knots and calm all your nerves. Bath & Bloom products are a local beauty maintenance product and are extremely popular in Bangkok. Buy some back for your friends and family, they can thank you later!
So there you have it, 17 things to buy in Bangkok that you don’t want to miss. So the next time you traipse over to Bangkok for a well-needed break, you must buy these things and pack them into your suitcase to bring home!
