Echarpes en soie © Starcevic - iStockphoto.com.jpg
Masques traditionnels © dangdumrong - iStockphoto.com.jpg

Silk

Thai silk is a favourite purchase for many travellers, whether for clothing such as scarves and ties or for making household linen. Thai silk is very famous for its delicate weaving, its various patterns and especially its beautiful colours. Note that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives uses a coloured peacock as a logo to indicate the quality of the silk on the products: golden peacock (Royal Thai Silk) for traditionally hand-made silk made from Thai silkworms; a silver peacock (Classic Thai Silk) for hand-made silk made from selected silkworms; blue peacock (Thai Silk), pure silk yarns with no specific production method (which allows the possible use of chemical dyes); and finally a green peacock (Thai Silk Blend) for products where the silk is mixed with other fabrics.

Where to find it? Jim Thompson's house in Bangkok offers an extensive collection of silk textiles, including beautiful scarves. You will also find it in the cities where it is produced, including Chiang Mai and several cities in Isaan province (Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani), which use a delightful weaving technique.

Clothing

In Thailand you'll have plenty to choose from! Traditional clothing, such as fisherman's trousers or sarong, this fabric in "tube" or length that is tied around the waist, is always a great success. In the north you can find fabrics with tribal motifs. Muay Thai shorts can be found all over the country, and can even be personalized with the recipient's name for example

. Modern clothing is also available, including all the major international brands in Bangkok and major cities. Possibility to have custom made clothes (replica of a suit for example) at very competitive prices. What is very popular with travelers are also the t-shirts, with humorous designs, Thai beer brands, logos ... You'll find them everywhere! They are generally of good quality. Avoid the counterfeits of big brands, it could cost you a lot when you return to France.

Gold

Many shops, usually run by Chinese, sell gold (rings, bracelets, necklaces...). For an important purchase, be accompanied by a Thai. Attention: Thai gold is generally 24 carats, in short it is pure gold. A little soft and very fragile, but not to be confused with gold-plated lead. Chiang Mai is the other big place of the craft industry, but do not hesitate to buy elsewhere the object which tempts you, because you are never sure to find it, even in its region of production.

Silver

Of particular interest are the silver jewels from the north of the country, especially the handicrafts of the mountain tribes.

As far as gold and precious stones are concerned, the choice is greater in Bangkok, but beware of scams: if a stranger approaches you and tells you that buying jewellery in Thailand would allow you to resell it at a better price in France and thus reimburse a large part of your trip, that's just a piece of crap! He will try to take you to a shop "at random", whereas he is in cahoots with the salesmen and earns a good commission. Many tourists have been ripped off in this way for the last twenty years. A classic from the capital.

Khon masks

These masks are derived from classical Thai dances that illustrate episodes from the Ramakien, a legendary fight between Good and Evil inspired by Buddhism. Where to find them? Craft shops and flea markets.

Lacquered objects

Lacquer work is one of the oldest techniques in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia. The lacquerware craft is a specificity of the Far East. The objects produced in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai and the North, are of good quality. They are first shaped in bamboo or wood before being covered with several layers of lacquer. Bracelets, bowls, boxes, trays, plates or vases are then engraved, finely decorated and then polished.

Umbrellas from Chiang Mai

The umbrellas of Bo Sang, a village about ten kilometres from the former capital Lanna, are famous throughout the kingdom. These delicate pieces are an original decoration for the house.

Tiger Balm

This very popular natural balm relieves a variety of ailments: muscle aches, headaches, insect bites, stuffy nose, cough... There is a red version (backache, muscle aches) and a white version (cough, stuffy nose). Prices are much cheaper in Thailand than in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. The eucalyptus or peppermint inhalers of various brands are very popular in the country, you will see the Thai use them everywhere and anytime.

Rattan objects

Not easy to transport, but the furniture and decorative objects in rattan or wicker made in Thailand are of good quality and bring a little Asian touch to the atmosphere of a house

Important. Reproductions of Buddha are numerous and on sale everywhere. Nevertheless, one discovers more and more large panels warning you that Buddha is not a decorative subject. It is forbidden to take out of the territory representations of whole Buddha (statues in particular), as well as antiques, just as it is strongly advised not to get a Buddha tattoo. It's up to you..

Smart Council. If you see an object or a piece of clothing you like, don't hesitate to take it on the spot. It's very rare to come across the same piece a second time, believe our experience!