A Thai colleague of mine had a baby last week. I am farang and his boss. I was wondering what are the customs around this in Thailand. I would like to buy them a gift as he is very sweet and a great employee. Is it appropriate to give him a gift? "material present" versus money? Should I bring it to office or give it to him in private. I am very new in Thailand and have not had the chance to do much asking around. Hope someone can help with some advice.

Cheers.

They have gift sets in tesco and bigC at the baby department.

Agreed with Poorsucker; just get one of those give sets that has a bunch of bottles of shampoo, baby detergent, puke cloths etc.. You can't really go wrong with that.

I wouldn't buy any of these:

• Diapers (you might buy a brand that they don't want/use)
  
• Clothing (might not fit, or not be the style parents want their baby to wear)
  
• Toys/Mobiles etc.. (they might already have the one you get)
  
• Gold/Money (might not be the appropriate amount they were expecting)
  

hmmm...I gave my niece (the one that quit school and ran off and broke my heart when she was 15) with her new baby thb5000 as it was obvious that her and her 'husband' were in a bad way and that the baby needed clothing and etc...and the wife then became furious and said: 'I said to give her 500baht not 5000!!!...and you always wanted to have sex with her didn't you???!!!...she is a pretty little thing...' and then missiles were hurled and the kids ran for cover...I hadn't had sex with anyone in 6 years but no matter...

5000 baht ain't that much in real terms...what do other posters say?

My wife gave her sisters 5,000 baht when they got a child. It all depends how closly related you are and what your own (financial) status is.

The envelope with money is the most common gift, as there are a lot of costs involved with a baby.

i thought about the money thing. especially because they can buy what they need instead of something i choose which they may not like or use. mmmh...how does mothercare sell gift vouchers?

i thought about the money thing. especially because they can buy what they need instead of something i choose which they may not like or use. mmmh...how does mothercare sell gift vouchers?

believe I'd think more about a money gift as the stuff in mothercare is ridiculously expensive, gift vouchers or not...

Buy a nice baby card with some cash inside, mum will buy what ''she'' wants.

...how does mothercare sell gift vouchers?

Better be a big gift voucher, the stuff at Mothercare in Thailand is a total rip off.

Our stroller cost 10K; same one is for sale at Mothercare for 30K!

i thought about the money thing. especially because they can buy what they need instead of something i choose which they may not like or use. mmmh...how does mothercare sell gift vouchers?

believe I'd think more about a money gift as the stuff in mothercare is ridiculously expensive, gift vouchers or not...

having said that a good quality stroller like a macclaren is worth the money...you don't want them to fail when out and about with the baby (like failing to unfold or to fold)...I brought one back from the UK when the grandson was born...but generally speaking mothercare in Thailand should be avoided...

when buying a stroller always check the folding action a few times to confirm that it works the way that it's supposed to...there's lotsa worthless junk out there...

Hi,

Do you know where to buy and how much costs a white gold bracelet or nakelace with the baby with his name on it ?

I wat white gold as I guess it would be more difficult to resell !

Thanks.