What to buy in Bangkok

Headed to Thailand and wondering what to buy in Bangkok? Despite numerous trips to Bangkok, I’m always on the hunt. Bangkok has loads of markets, not to mention tightly packed alleyways that are totally worth wandering through for all the awesome finds.

On a recent trip to Bangkok I finally got the appeal of conquesting. Not the raping and pillaging part, but bringing home the spoils. It’s one satisfactory feeling. One of the best aspects of travel is being exposed to different products, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love to shop overseas.

Even if you don’t have a massive shopping list, there are a few items you may want to procure.

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What to buy in Bangkok

From spices to silks to handicrafts, there’s so many gems worth saving room in your luggage for. Here’s a look at what I usually buy in Bangkok.

Thai Silk

One of the best things to buy in Bangkok is Thai silk. It’s sturdy, beautiful and relatively cheap. I love the vibrant colours and how sleek it looks, especially when used in decorating – it’s the easiest table runner you ever did see.

I always plan to pick up a couple different swathes and a few more for gifts. I’ve made skirts and pillow cases out of it before. It’s the easiest, lightest gift and definitely should be at the top of your shopping list.

Thai Food

You’ll be having some great meals in Thailand, so why not take some of the flavours home with you? One of the best things to bring back is coconut oil. We now know coconut oil isn’t just for cooking (use it on your skin and hair), and you’ll want to buy the best quality you can afford.

Mama is THE local brand for Thai noodles. Many rave about the Tom Yum flavour, but there’s plenty to try such as green curry and spicy Korean flavours. If you have a craving back home, you can also buy MAMA noodles on Amazon.

Thai spices are lightweight and are a great addition in your suitcase. You likely can’t bring any fresh spices back to your country, but crushed chili, long pepper and prickly ash can be found dried and may be had to find in your country. Likely available where you livem but probably cheaper to pick up in Thailand are cloves, cinnamon (of superior quality!), star anise and coriander seeds.

My favourite food item to buy in Bangkok? Potato chips! Yes, I know it’s trashy, but I love them so much. And with the heat in Bangkok I’m always sweating so much and craving salt. These crab curry chips were addictive!

Beauty and Wellness Products

In Bangkok you’ve got both traditional and western-style pharmacies. This means you get some indigenous products made with local herbs, while also stocking up on Asian beauty items at a significantly cheaper price than what you’d find in North America or Europe.

Asian BB Cream

Since I’m at the source (BB creams originated in Asia), I like to get the good stuff. Beauty balms are the ultimate all-in-one-product. Too many companies have jumped on the BB bandwagon and haven’t done it right. (Personally, I was disappointed Origins BB Cream doesn’t contain any oil fighting properties.)

A traditional BB cream is part tinted moisturizer, part sunscreen and part pore minimizer. My skin is a blotchy mess of age spots and clogged pores. I need this cream like nobody’s business and it’s quite easy to find a few good Asian made products in Bangkok.

Korean skincare companies have really dominated this game, so if you’re after a name brand, you may find the best deal in the airport at Duty Free.

Pharma Finds

It’s so humid and hot in Bangkok that you may find yourself getting a heat rash. Avoid this with Snake Brand Prickly Heat Powder. It’s loaded with medicinal herbal ingredients and feels cooling upon application.

Roller balms are popular and for good reason. Pim Saen is a herby medicinal product works equally on nasal passages to clear congestion as it does for motion sickness. If you’re taking a backpacker’s bus or boat anywhere in Thailand, you’ll want to be rolling this on your temples!

Shopping in Bangkok

Let’s be real for a moment. There’s a lot of fun things to do in Bangkok, but none so fun as shopping in my books. Shopping in Bangkok, however, is not for the faint of heart.

It’s crowded. It’s humid. There will be a lot of haggling. Expect it. Have fun with it. While there are several shopping malls in Bangkok, most fun are the outdoor stalls and markets you’ll find in dozen upon dozens of neighbourhoods in the city.

Markets in and Near Bangkok

Some Bangkok markets are hyper specific – like Pak Klong Talad. This is the Bangkok Flower Market and is best visited early morning when the blooms are still fresh. As you can imagine, it smells heavenly.

If you’re a foodie and like the finer things in life, definitely head to Aor Tor Kor market. It’s known as the market for the rich and offers upscale products, the biggest and best looking fruit, etc…

If you’re visiting on a weekend, definitely check out Chatuchak Weekend Market. (Locals know it as JJ Market.) This open-air market is filled with everything and anything. From clothes to souvenirs to furniture to food and antiques, there are 26 different sections spread over 35 acres!

Be prepared it’s an assault on the senses with 200,000 people descending upon this market each weekend to come through the 15,000 stalls.

Tip: Certain sections of the market are open during the week, not just on weekends. Wednesday to Friday could be a good time to visit, depending on what you’re looking for. Check the market’s opening times to find your best time to visit.

Floating Market

Approximately 80 km outside of Bangkok lies the famous Floating Market: Damnoen Saduak. And there’s a ton of goodies to be found among the warren-like labyrinth of stalls at Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown district. Wherever you go, these are some of the best souvenirs to buy in Thailand. However, my personal faves are highlighted below. 

Khao San Road Night Market

If you’re a traveller, it’s almost impossible to visit Bangkok without a trip down Khao San Road. And if you’re just visiting and not staying here, you’ll definitely want to come for their night market.

The first time I was on Khao San Road (a long, long time ago), there were no American chains like 7-11 and KFC. Much has changed. Back then, I bought a fake press pass that helped me wrangle my way backstage to some pretty decent concerts. Since I now have my own press badge and I suspect I look far too old to pull off Student ID, I’m going to have to get creative.

You’ll want to spend some time on Khao San Road though even if it is backpacker central. As mentioned, they have an amazing night market, where you can find lots of cool items, like clothing, souvenirs and even crickets for a treat!

Things to Buy in Bangkok

Now there are plenty of other things to buy in Bangkok. Some of the most popular are:

• Silver jewelry – Beware of fakes and look for 925 stamps that denote 92.5% silver quantity.
• Thai ceramics – Benjarong Porcelain was once exclusively used by the royals, but now is available for us commoners.
• Antiques – There are a lot of rules around taking genuine antiques out of Thailand, so consider settling for a high quality replica.
• Handicrafts ranging from baskets to bags to wooden elephants.

I Don’t Buy This in Thailand

I’m not into handicrafts, ceramics, lacquerware and the like. I’ve lived in Asia and have travelled to every country in this continent except Laos and the four that begin with the letter B.

Meaning: I can’t be tempted by buddha sculptures, indigenous masks or anything made out of reeds.

What are you hoping to pick up in Bangkok?

Affordable Travel Insurance

Whether travelling around Thailand as a digital nomad or on vacation with your family, you’ll want to get the right travel insurance. A great option is SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance for global coverage at a reasonable price. You can add it even if you’ve already left your home country, and it usually includes lost checked luggage. For families, SafetyWing has you covered with up to 2 kids, up to the age of 10 years old, included on every Nomad Insurance Policy.

Pin for future reference:

What are some of your favourite treasures brought back from overseas?

You may also be interested in reading:

What’s Thai massage really like?

Best foods to eat in Thailand

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