What to Buy When Traveling to Thailand? Essential Shopping Tips You Must Know

Exchanging Thai Baht

Exchanging Thai Baht is the first thing you should do when planning to shop in the Land of Smiles. The exchange rate between Thai Baht and Vietnamese Dong is approximately 1 Baht = ~770 VND. Additionally, you can exchange some Baht and convert the rest to USD for payments in Thailand, with the current exchange rate at 1 Baht = ~0.033 USD (Updated as of January 2021).

How to Exchange Baht and Where to Exchange? A useful tip to remember when exchanging Baht is to do it in Vietnam before traveling to Thailand, instead of doing it in Thailand or at the airport. Exchanging currency after arriving in Thailand may result in significant loss due to higher exchange rates.

There are many reputable places to exchange Thai Baht in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In addition, you can exchange currency at major banks such as Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV, which offer favorable exchange rates. However, avoid exchanging money in the black market or at unauthorized currency exchange shops. Although the exchange rate may be in your favor, doing so violates foreign exchange laws and can result in heavy penalties.

Various denominations of Thai Baht (@rachaeltraveler)

What to Buy When Traveling to Thailand?

Clothing

Clothing is undoubtedly a must-have when shopping in Thailand. The clothes here are of good quality, very durable, especially Thai T-shirts, with a wide variety of styles and designs to choose from.

Additionally, you can find Thai clothing at super affordable prices in markets or shopping malls. The prices are very cheap, only about 100 baht/item, and you can even get discounts when buying in bulk. If you're a shopping enthusiast, take advantage of the sales in Thailand during the summer and end of the year to go shopping here.

Thai Cosmetics

Thai cosmetics are one of the hottest items, especially for women. If you're a male traveler, you can also buy Thai cosmetics as gifts for your mother, sister, or girlfriend. Thai cosmetics are diverse, ranging from lipstick, foundation, powder to quality skincare products at reasonable prices. Moreover, Thai cosmetics brands invest heavily in product image, so these items from the Land of Smiles will surely captivate women.

Thai cosmetics are always loved by women (@peachy.esthetic)

Medicated oil, massage oil

You should refer to Thailand travel guides when shopping to choose a variety of gifts such as medicated oil, massage oil, which are meaningful souvenirs for all ages. Especially, Thai medicated oil is of good quality, effective in relieving various pains such as headache, abdominal pain, muscle pain, reducing itching, and darkening of insect bites,... Additionally, Thai medicated oil comes in various fragrances, providing comfort and relaxation to users. You can buy Thai medicated oil at convenience stores like 7-Eleven in Bangkok. The price for one bottle is about 60 - 150 baht.

Thai silver jewelry

What to buy in Thailand as a gift for your girlfriend besides cosmetics? Silver jewelry items are also highly appreciated. Thai silver jewelry has a completely different style from conventional silver jewelry because Thai silver is mixed by Thai people themselves to create a unique silver composition. Moreover, Thai silver jewelry always has a cool style with impressive black silver coating, suitable for young, trendy individuals. You can find Thai silver jewelry stores at souvenir shops in various markets with reasonable prices and a wide selection of designs for you to choose from.

Thai silver jewelry (@saka_things.beauty)

Daily essentials

Wondering what else to buy when in Thailand? Don't overlook everyday essentials like dish soap, shampoo, shower gel, etc., all proudly made in Thailand. With unbeatable quality and affordable prices, these are highly favored by many. You can find these items at BigC stores in Thailand, which are a favorite shopping destination for tourists on Thailand tours. So, feel free to shop for these fascinating items here!

Food

If you're in Thailand and happen to develop a craving for its cuisine, you can bring a piece of Thailand back to Vietnam with the following dishes:

- Packaged Pad Thai is already extremely famous, isn't it? Pad Thai can be considered the national dish of Thailand. You can enjoy Pad Thai anywhere in Thailand, and especially, it comes in packaged form, so you can bring it back to Vietnam. Its preparation is simple, similar to instant noodles, so within minutes, you'll have a delicious Pad Thai ready to eat. The price per pack is 25 baht.

Packaged Pad Thai at BigC supermarket in Thailand

- Thai Milk Tea is just as famous as Pad Thai, and it's also a huge hit in Thailand. I assure you, anyone who has tasted this drink falls in love with its rich flavor. There are two types of Thai milk tea: green tea and traditional (orange). You can find these teas at supermarkets or specialty tea shops.

- Bento Squid: This is an extremely popular snack in Thailand that you can also find at BigC. Thai Bento Squid comes in both spicy and non-spicy varieties, marinated with a rich squid flavor, perfect for snacking with friends while watching movies or chatting. Additionally, at BigC, you should also buy banana cakes. These are a suitable snack for children, with a fragrant banana flavor and very affordable price.

Alt: Thai Bento Squid

- Dried Fruits: Another must-mention specialty for Thai food enthusiasts. Visit Big C and grab some dried fruits like dried mangoes, pomelo peel, oranges, pineapples, etc. These snacks are easy to eat and reasonably priced. They also make perfect gifts for friends and colleagues at work.

- Thai Spices: Why not try making Thai dishes at home after this trip? But to make the most authentic dishes, be sure to buy some Thai spices to take home. Spices like curry, dipping sauce, etc., are essential for your Thai cuisine.

Various Thai Spices

Some other utensils

Apart from the above, when traveling to Thailand, you can also choose unique items such as:

- Natural soaps, scented candles: Many people love to buy these products because they are made entirely from natural ingredients, which are non-toxic. Moreover, the soaps and candles come in various colors and designs, making them visually appealing and pleasantly scented.

- Various types of essential oils: These essential oils come in many varieties for you to choose from, and they do not produce any black smoke when burned. Each bottle of essential oil is about 10ml, priced at around 50 - 100 baht per bottle.

- Souvenirs: You can also purchase some souvenirs made in the image of Thailand's iconic symbols, such as pictures or keychains shaped like tuk-tuks, elephants, etc., to give to friends and family.

- Another popular consumer item in Thailand is cooling powder, also known as talcum powder. This is a common powder used during the summer, which helps control oil, prevent sweating, and cool the skin. With the year-round hot and humid tropical climate, cooling powder is an essential item for Thais. You can buy it as a gift or use it on hot days in Vietnam.

Cooling powder (talcum powder) is highly favored during the summer (@smbeautycare_store)

Where to shop in Thailand?

Local markets

One of the shopping destinations in Thailand that many tourists love and choose is the local markets. You can visit some famous markets in Bangkok such as Chatuchak Weekend Market, floating markets, Chinatown, etc. Here, you can find a wide range of items including clothes, cosmetics, food, etc., with good quality and affordable prices. You can also bargain when buying items here. Besides, exploring these traditional markets is a way for tourists to learn more about the life and culture of Thai people. Some notable market addresses in Thailand that you should note are:

- Rod Fai Market located at Srinakarin Road Soi 51, open from Thursday to Sunday weekly from 5 pm to midnight.

- Chatuchak Weekend Market located right in front of BTS Mochit station, open every Friday from 9 pm to 3 am.

- JJ Green Night Market only open on Saturday and Sunday evenings, from 5 pm to midnight, located at 1 Kamphaeng Phet 3, Chatuchak.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Shopping malls

You can also choose to shop at shopping malls such as Central World, Siam Square, MBK, Central Department Stores, Big C, etc. Shopping at these malls, you can fully trust the quality of the products as well as their diverse range. Depending on your different needs, you can choose the most suitable shopping destination for yourself. The most prominent shopping malls in the Land of Smiles include:

- Siam Paragon boasts hundreds of stores of world-class luxury brands, with spacious and luxurious spaces. This is a familiar shopping destination for wealthy Thai people and well-off tourists. If you're not interested in shopping here, you can still visit and take impressive glamorous photos.

Modern shopping center Siam Paragon

- Central World is famous as the largest shopping center in Asia with an area of over 80,000m2. What should you buy at Central World when visiting Thailand? This is one of the shopping paradises in Thailand with tens of thousands of items ranging from affordable to high-end, suitable for all classes to explore and experience this huge shopping area.

- MBK is a shopping center specializing in Thai domestic brands. Besides, this place is also the best place to buy electronics in Thailand with the best quality and prices attracting many visitors. There are some international brands located here, but they are all prominent brands in technology and electronics such as Apple, Canon, Nikon, etc.

>> Discover right away the Top 10 shopping paradises in Thailand to note down these extremely interesting shopping addresses!

Convenience store

And finally, you can purchase some items at convenience stores. When visiting Thailand, you will surely notice that the 7-Eleven convenience store chain is present everywhere. This is also an interesting shopping spot where you can find many interesting items, especially various kinds of food.

A shopping trip to buy typical products combined with exploring famous destinations in the Land of Golden Temples at Mytour will surely take you to peak experiences!

Tips for shopping in Thailand

Surely, you also need to explore some handy tips or shopping experiences in the Land of Golden Temples to have a truly enjoyable 'shopping spree.' Check out the travel experiences in Thailand compiled by Mytour, which will surely be very useful for your trip:

- Typically, shops, supermarkets, and shopping centers in Thailand will open around 10 am or 10:30 am. Markets may open a bit earlier. So, make sure to carefully check the opening hours of the places you want to visit.

- In Thailand, there are two main sale seasons every year: in the middle of the year (May, June) and at the end of the year (December). This is the golden time for you to buy high-quality items at very attractive prices. The sale season in Thailand takes place at shopping centers, with discounts of up to 70-80%.

- In Thailand, buying and selling are quite relaxed, with no haggling or price pressure. Moreover, the sellers are very friendly, and most of them can speak English. Therefore, you can negotiate skillfully to get the best price for the items you want.

- When making purchases in Thailand, you may be eligible for VAT refunds at international airports. So, remember to request a VAT invoice. Note that VAT refunds apply to goods with a minimum value of 5000 baht in one day. And don't forget to bring your passport because without it, the store staff won't be able to issue an invoice for you.

- In Thailand, at some shopping centers, you can also use USD for payment instead of Thai Baht. If not required to pay in Baht, it's better to pay in USD to get the best exchange rate. Then, when you return from shopping and have leftover money, exchanging USD back to Vietnamese Dong will be more advantageous for you.

Hopefully, the article has provided you with more useful information for the question 'what to buy in Thailand most reasonably. Check out more on travel forums, blogs to gather a wide range of travel experiences in Thailand from A to Z. Also, don't forget to plan your trip meticulously and book your flights to Thailand early for a cost-effective journey. Wish you a pleasant trip to Thailand!

Hanh Chu

Image Source: Internet