E-lyn ThamAh, Bangkok. Many people venture to this renowned land of cheap 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 18 must-buy things you should never leave Bangkok without!
Food
“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Indeed, be sure to check out these yummy foods that are bound to please both men and women alike!
1. Suthera’s Thai Coconut Roll
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.
The fragrance and the taste of coconut is truly a testament to the freshness of the materials used to produce this delicious dessert. 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! Now doesn’t that sound like a divine souvenir for you to take back home?
Don’t miss out on Suthera’s winning products that achieved the Superior Taste Award in 2020, the most renowned independent certification worldwide. Considering how authentic Suthera’s Thai Coconut Rolls are, it’s no surprise that they’ve gained international recognition for their mouthwatering delicacies.
2. Instant Phad Thai
Image credit: Kin-Dee
Phad Thai is one of Thailand’s local delicacies (yum!), 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
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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!
Image credit: Rusty Clark
4. Fried Shallots
Image credit: My Asian Grocer
Fried shallots are unfortunately often overlooked, but they make a great sweet and savoury condiment for various dishes! It can be bought at extremely cheap prices in Bangkok’s markets or supermarkets, adding to its recent popularity among tourists.
5. 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 are a fan of squid, EAT THIS AND GO TO HEAVEN.
6. Koh-Kae Peanuts
Image credit: Must Thai
These peanuts have somewhat become an iconic Thai snack, with its distinctive packaging coming in a variety of colours. The peanuts come in an assortment of flavours, from coconut cream to tom yum to barbeque – there’s something for everyone!
7. Royal Chitralada Milk Candy
Image credit: A Lil Of Everything From Bangkok
These milk biscuits are immensely popular among the locals, and it’s often said that you’re not a Thai if you don’t know and love the yummy snack! The biscuits come in two flavours: the original milk flavour, and chocolate. Take it from the Thais – this is one snack that you’re guaranteed to love!
8. 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, evvvveryday!
9. Oishi Black Tea
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This drink can be found in Singapore, but the Black Tea (Lemon Flavor) can only be found in Thailand. Energize 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 & Fabrics
Thailand is fervently known for its mega shopping malls, countless markets, and its penchant for cheap, cheap, cheap clothes! Never leave Bangkok without your suitcases full of clothes – to do otherwise would be a crime!
10. 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!
11. Thai Silks & Fabrics
Image credit: Alex Rubystone
Image credit: Mark Fischer
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!
Also read: Where to Get Your Clothes Tailored in Asia
Household Decorations
Spice up your house with some beautiful decorations from Thailand, promised to make any surface or wall instantly look better!
12. Fairy Lights
Image credit: Jirka Matousek
Image credit: Wicker Paradise
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, angry birds heads and so on!
13. Thai Soap Ornaments
Image credit: Chris Davey
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
Buy medicinal products in Thailand for a fraction of the price, or enjoy products that locals swear by – guaranteed to stop your coughs, colds, or general ailments!
14. 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.
Also read: Thai Airways Opens New Airline Restaurant in Bangkok
15. Takabb Anti-Cough Pill
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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! Truth or Hyperbole? We’ll leave it to you to decide!
16. 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!
17. Pim Saen Nam – Balm Oil Roll-on
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.
18. Bath and Bloom Products
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Be soothed by Bath and Bloom’s Thai Jasmine scent, guaranteed to loosen all your knots and calm all your nerves. Bath and 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, 18 things you absolutely cannot leave Bangkok without. 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!
