Just wondering what people in the west (namely UK) reaction is when they see Thai gold & silver items. I've heard the colour of the gold puts many off but the silver has a lot of interest.

I'm heading back to th UK for a while and just wondering if it would be worth my while taking a few items back to sell to make some extra beer money

Well, should I bother or not ?

Thai, or more likely, loas silver is widely available through 'ethnic product outlets' the UK (and here in Italy) - I get the impression the appeal is to the 'hippy' end of the market and prices don't seem to be so high as to offer good profit margins.

Thai (asian) gold is a bit more difficult - Seen against western gold it is extremely yellow - garishly so. Also, to be honest, the workmanship is pretty crude - The value, as any Thai will tell you, is in the purity and weight.

Given the high cost of gold items, I think you'd be taking a large risk for a low return.

Most Thai gold jewellery (from the gold shops) is of high purity 22% but

the workmanship is very poor. Most Thais do not want to pay for the

labor, their interest is only in the metal value.

Not popular outside Asia. Not a good investment.

Silver probably better IF the workmanship is top notch.

Naka.