What Do I Need/want?

[epistememe]

I have a friend visiting me in Colorado, USA from Chiang Mai next week and I have one last chance for her to bring me something from Thailand before she completes her packing. I am trying to think of something that I can only get in Thailand that would be easy for her to get through customs. I am a bit stumped at the moment thinking of anything not food related. I do collect primitive masks, but I think it would be better to pick them out on my on the next time I visit Thailand. So does anyone have suggestions of something that I need to have;) Thanks

rick

[IanForbes]

Jade jewelry? Most of the stuff I regularly see in Thailand I can purchase cheaper in Canada. Good custom jewelry seems to be the only products that I can buy cheaper there.

[WaiWai]

Could you give us a little more info -- e.g. are you Thai/not? have spent much time in Thailand/not? have kids/not?

Whereabouts is friend coming from -- BKK or country? Provinces usually have their specialty crafts.

I think preserved and well sealed foods are not a problem but not sure for the USA.

Lengths of Thai silk or other fabrics not found so much outside Asia are often a good gift -- can be made into shirts or other clothing & no worries about getting sizing right (tho tailors are far cheaper here, of course) or else just used as throws/tablecloths etc.

Depending on gender -- silk ties/scarves/etc.

If you like masks you may like some of the wall hangings found in markets here.

T shirts with whacky Thinglish slogans.

Some small electronic items could be cheaper here (again, not sure).

...

Ah - just noticed "from Chiang Mai". Many heavier woven fabrics available here as well as silk.

Silver.

Various handcrafts.

Edited June 3, 2009 by WaiWai