What should I buy in Bangkok vs. online?

[solrac]

Here's a couple items I have questions about:

1) 120v to 220v electrical outlet converter

-- Buy in USA before I leave?

-- Buy online?

-- Buy in Bangkok?

(Which is cheapest?)

2) Top quality supplements like pharmaceutical grade fish oil

-- Buy online?

-- Buy cheaper in a store in Bangkok?

What other common items are better bought in Thailand vs. online? Any other general tips?

Thanks so much!

[Costas2008]

I would suggest, you buy those things from the USA before you come.

Do you really think that is good for you to waste valuable time shopping in Bangkok?

There are so many "cultural sites" to visit while here.

Specially in Nana or Soi Cowboy area!

Have a safe trip and a happy time when in Bangkok.

[oxo1947]

If you are staying long time---all Top quality supplements should be got from the USA...its a lot cheaper...get the electric plug anywhere.

As a rule of thumb 90% of branded (Genuine) items would be cheaper in the USA----anything that can be copied is cheaper here.

PS

Don't forget to bring the wife.....................

[Costas2008]

PS

Don't forget to bring the wife.....................

OXO1947 don't be so wicked to the man!

Let him enjoy life......even for .......short time!

[robblok]

Supplements are always more expensive in Thailand so buy in the USA.

I would also buy the converter in the USA

[me313]

Supercheap--it's a large store in Bangkok that carries almost everything, including grade fish oil, imported from Germany and Australia--price for 100 tabs at 500 mg costs around 500 baht at Supercheap, if there is a store in Bangkok. Otherwise the little 24 hour chain store outlets don't carry those t ypes of items. You can easily get a converter in Bangkok and the price is lower or equivalent, don't waste space bringing extraneous stuff you can get here.

[maderaroja]

All vitamons and suppliments are 20x more expensive in Thailand than in the U.S.

[ocean268]

iherb.com for supplements from Los Angeles with $4 DHL shipping....

[hempa]

I you're to visit "cultural sites" like Nana or Soi Cowboy area, dont bring the wife!

[Ulic]

You wont need the electric outlet converter. The outlets accept the USA configured two prong plug.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Ulic

[laobali]

You can buy 220 -110 volt converters in Thailand, but check your devices first; many phone and laptop chargers and small appliance adapters are flexible, handling from 100 to 240 volts.

[laobali]

You wont need the electric outlet converter. The outlets accept the USA configured two prong plug.

Try plugging a 110 volt only appliance into a 220 volt 2 pin socket and see what happens.

[brotherother]

I would suggest, you buy those things from the USA before you come.

Do you really think that is good for you to waste valuable time shopping in Bangkok?

There are so many "cultural sites" to visit while here.

Specially in Nana or Soi Cowboy area!

Have a safe trip and a happy time when in Bangkok.

Do you seriously think every man coming to Thailand is a sex tourist? Unbelievable!

Just because you are it doesn't mean we all are pal.

[Mudcrab]

You wont need the electric outlet converter. The outlets accept the USA configured two prong plug.

Try plugging a 110 volt only appliance into a 220 volt 2 pin socket and see what happens.

Interesting to see if the "voltage converter" is also a frequency converter as well!

[celso]

Fish oil is far cheaper online than in stores. The prices in pharmacies and GNC are ridiculous.

Also the quality that you will find in stores - the amount of EPA and DHA, is low. So low that you'll need to take 5+ to hit your daily needs.

Phuket health store (website) is the best place I have found for fish oil, it sells some really nice Musclepharm brand capsules, high quality and no aftertaste. It is what I use daily.

Online is cheaper and better quality.

Edited January 2, 2014 by celso

[umbanda]

Bring a Magic Jack phone adapter for your laptop...to make unlimited calls to the US and Canada for $30/year.

[ThaiEire]

The blessens af Buddah on ye grand lads, given the man lots of good advive.

Meself, the wife does the shopping and I keep an eye on the culture.

[solrac]

I would suggest, you buy those things from the USA before you come.

Do you really think that is good for you to waste valuable time shopping in Bangkok?

There are so many "cultural sites" to visit while here.

Specially in Nana or Soi Cowboy area!

Have a safe trip and a happy time when in Bangkok.

Sorry, I forgot to mention I'm MOVING to Bangkok! :-)

[solrac]

PS

Don't forget to bring the wife.....................

OXO1947 don't be so wicked to the man!

Let him enjoy life......even for .......short time!

LOL! I'm single, and ready to sow my seed

[solrac]

I you're to visit "cultural sites" like Nana or Soi Cowboy area, dont bring the wife!

LOL, I didn't think a venerable cultural historic site would be called "cowboy"

[SeabagsFull]

Solrac, if you are coming only as a tourist, then you can probably ignore my post.

Large wattage power converters are extremely heavy. They are, however, readily available in Thailand & at reasonable prices.

In 2004 I mailed my 110V Klipsch computer speaker system to Thailand. To handle its power requirements, I purchased a 1,000W converter from Power Buy in Bangkok for about 1,500 Thai baht (roughly $50).

Note that most converters cannot be left plugged in, meaning that you have to unplug them when you're done using them.

I agree with the above postings that supplements are generally more expensive in Thailand than in the west, & that you can easily find what you need online. Two howevers. however:

1. Fish oil seems to be the exception, although it can be difficult to find pharmaceutical grade.

2. Not all companies export supplements to Thailand. For those that do, Customs is inconsistent with regards to imposing import fees. The governing rule is that contents in total valued under 1,000 baht won't be assessed fees; however, Thailand customs agents are not objective & do not seem to follow any strict code. Regardless of what you've stated as the cost (even with a receipt present in the box), an agent will determine on his own what the contents are worth in Thailand & assess fees accordingly.

[LiveInHope]

If you are coming to live here permanently, then I suggest that you purchase converters in the U.S. that have passed all the relevant safety tests and carry inspection tickets from the manufacturer. Here everything is mostly of Chinese origin and not safe unless you can buy product that is also manufactured for export to Europe/US and carries the appropriate certification. We have had two close escapes in the past years from buying quickly here for convenience sake. One where a product literally melted and another that just exploded. Also consider buying good electrical surge or power spike units. We travel home two times a year as a rule and buy supplements back home which are cheaper and give us peace of mind. In terms of cost comparisons you get what you pay for. There is very little manufactured product that is cheaper here so if you can bring it with you, do so

[RobFord]

You wont need the electric outlet converter. The outlets accept the USA configured two prong plug.

Check the plugs on all your devices. They will likely say 110 and 220. There's no longer a need to buy converters.

[chrisinth]

OP, if you are planning your trip during the next 2 weeks - 1 month, bring stuff with you or buy online............

Leave Bkk shopping for this period to the ones that know. Otherwise you are going to be protesting about it...........

[sydneyboy]

I would suggest, you buy those things from the USA before you come.

Do you really think that is good for you to waste valuable time shopping in Bangkok?

There are so many "cultural sites" to visit while here.

Specially in Nana or Soi Cowboy area!

Have a safe trip and a happy time when in Bangkok.

Do you seriously think every man coming to Thailand is a sex tourist? Unbelievable!

Just because you are it doesn't mean we all are pal.

I do think the man protest just a wee bit toooo much!!!!!

[laobali]

You wont need the electric outlet converter. The outlets accept the USA configured two prong plug.

Check the plugs on all your devices. They will likely say 110 and 220. There's no longer a need to buy converters.

Really? Some of them might have a 110/220 voltage selector switch near the mains input; small power adapters may be variable voltage. Many US appliances are likely to be 110-115V only. They will blow up if used in 220 volt outlets.

Edited January 3, 2014 by laobali

[ocean268]

iherb.com has great supplements from the USA. I bought the following "Nature's Bounty" brand:

Vitamin B-12, 1000 mcg, 100 Tablets $8.22

Vitamin C & D3, 100 Softgels $8.99

Vitamin E, 400 IU, 100 Softgels $10.62

Multi-Day Plus Minerals, 100 Tablets $7.73

Glucosamine Sulfate, 1000 mg, 120 capsules $17.82

Odorless Fish Oil Omega-3, 1000 mg, 100 Softgels $11.18

They ship, via DHL, for $4 and the box was delivered in nine days to my front door by the THAILAND Post motorcycle postman. No issues. Best of luck!

from my iPad in CHA-AM

[wym]

If you can't afford to pop home at least once a year you can't afford to move here.