What gifts should you bring to Thai people?

If you want to make local residents happy and show your attention, here are our recommendations. Choose something unusual or hard to find (or impossible to find) in Thailand.

1. Confectionery. Thai people love gifts that the whole family can try, so sweets are a win-win option. They like Alenka chocolate, Babaevsky and Krasny Oktyabr bars, as well as caramel, toffee, fruit pastila, and zephyr. The taste of these sweets is very different from what they are used to in Thailand.

2. Honey and honey-based products. Good honey is expensive in Thailand, and in general it is not very common. Small jars of Altai or Bashkir honey make a top-quality gift. Also great options are honey-based teas or linden or forest berry teas.

3. Russian cosmetics. We are impressed by Thai natural cosmetics, and Thai people are impressed by Russian cosmetics. A fun paradox. They especially appreciate herbal soaps, clay masks, and herbal balms.

4. Winter accessories. It sounds funny, but scarves, knitted hats, and mittens impress Thai people. They have nowhere to wear them, of course, but as a souvenir “from another world,” they are perfect.

5. Russian alcohol (when appropriate). Bringing russian vodka as a gift is a stereotype, yet a good brand in a gift box really works as a wow-gift. Small bottles of premium vodka or berry liqueurs (blueberry or cranberry are true exotica) are especially popular.

6. Products with a “Russian flavor.” Things that simply don’t exist in Thailand: nut butters and urbech — almond, hazelnut, cedar — as well as pine nuts. These make luxurious gifts.

7. Handmade items. Anything made by hand is perceived as a thoughtful and valuable gift.

If you bring a Russian matryoshka, Thai people will also be happy, but you can surprise locals with something new. And you can find where to shop for Thai souvenirs in our Souvenirs and Shopping section.