The best souvenirs from Thailand are things made or grown here: silk, ceramics, northern textiles, gold, curry pastes and dried fruit. Here is what to look for, where to find it, what you may not export, and how to claim VAT back.
Opening hours, prices and promotions below were checked in September 2026; confirm them before you go.
Thai silk
Thai silk is the classic gift: scarves, ties, cushion covers and fabric by the metre. To see good silk up close first, visit the Jim Thompson House museum:
- Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok 10330, nearest station BTS National Stadium (Exit 1).
- Open daily 10:00–17:00.
- Admission: about 250 THB for adults, 150 THB for ages 10–21 (bring ID), free for children under 10.
- The main house can only be visited with a guide, in Thai, English, French, Chinese or Japanese.
At markets, ask whether an item is pure silk or a blend, and prefer shops that label the fabric.
Crafts from all over Thailand
SookSiam at ICONSIAM
If you have only one afternoon, go to SookSiam on the G floor of ICONSIAM. This indoor, air-conditioned floating-market-style zone sells food, snacks and crafts from all 77 provinces of Thailand at market-style prices.
ICONSIAM is open daily 10:00–22:00. To get there:
- By boat: the shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) is no longer free. It costs about 12 THB per person one way and runs about 09:00–22:50, every 15–20 minutes.
- By rail: take the BTS Silom Line to Krung Thon Buri, change to the Gold Line and ride one stop to Charoen Nakhon, which connects to the mall.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak is huge: more than 15,000 stalls in 27 numbered sections, with large clothing areas and a wide range of crafts and home decor.
- The whole market is open Saturday and Sunday 09:00–18:00.
- On Friday 18:00–24:00 a smaller, wholesale-focused night session runs. On Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section opens.
- Stations: MRT Kamphaeng Phet (west end), MRT Chatuchak Park (east end) and BTS Mo Chit.
Arrive soon after 09:00, before the heat and the crowds, and pick up a map at the market.
Ceramics, wood and lacquer
Look for these traditional crafts at SookSiam, Chatuchak and craft shops:
- Celadon: stoneware with a pale green glaze, sold as bowls, tea sets and plates.
- Benjarong: porcelain painted in several bright enamel colours, often with gold details.
- Wood carvings: elephants, bowls and decorative panels.
- Lacquerware: boxes, trays and bowls, often decorated with gold.
Carry fragile pieces in your hand luggage, wrapped in clothes. Ask the shop whether it can ship large pieces for you.
Northern crafts in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a good place for northern textiles and embroidery. Two markets to visit:
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: on Chang Khlan Road between Tha Phae and Sridonchai roads, east of the old-city moat. It sells crafts, clothes and gifts; ask locally for the current opening hours.
- Warorot Market: on Wichayanon Road in the Chang Moi area. It sells clothes, textiles and embroidery, plus northern foods such as sai ua sausage and nam prik chilli pastes. Its Trok Lao Zhou alley, with Chinese and Hmong goods, opens daily 07:00–17:00.
Going north? See how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. A Smile Taxi Service transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai costs 7,500 THB (sedan), 8,500 THB (SUV) or 10,000 THB (van) per vehicle, one way: book a van from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai.
Gold and jewellery
Thai gold is priced by weight in a unit called the baht: one baht of 96.5% gold bullion weighs 15.16 g. The Gold Traders Association publishes the daily reference price on the Gold Traders Association website. Check that day's price before buying in Yaowarat (Chinatown), and keep the receipt.
For gemstones and jewellery: if a stranger, or a driver you did not choose, recommends a "special" gem or tailor shop, say no and buy only from shops you found yourself. For a problem with a shop, call the Tourist Police on 1155.
Food gifts and spa products
Food gifts that travel well:
- Curry pastes and nam prik chilli pastes in sealed packs or jars.
- Dried fruit, such as dried mango, and coconut snacks.
- Thai tea mix and vacuum-packed rice.
- Herbal soaps, balms and massage oils from pharmacies and mall shops.
SookSiam at ICONSIAM and Warorot Market in Chiang Mai are good places for regional foods. Check what food your home country allows travellers to bring in. Put pastes and sauces in checked luggage, sealed in a plastic bag.
Clothes to take home
Light cotton trousers, elephant-print clothes and sarongs are cheap, practical souvenirs. Chatuchak has large clothing areas. For wholesale fashion, Platinum Fashion Mall at 222 Petchaburi Road in Pratunam opens 09:00–20:00.
If your shopping day includes a temple, cover your shoulders and knees; a sarong or light scarf helps.
What not to bring home
- Buddha images: Buddha and Bodhisattva images and their fragments need permission to leave Thailand. Small medallions and very small statues are exempt; ask the shop and Thai Customs before you buy any other Buddha image.
- Antiques and works of art: these need an export licence from the Fine Arts Department. Ask the dealer about the licence before you pay, not after.
- Buddha heads as decoration: Buddha images are sacred in Thailand; do not buy one as decoration.
- Anything made from wild animals: leave it in the shop, and check your home country's import rules.
The Thai Customs Care Center answers questions on 1164 ([email protected]).
Paying, bargaining and discounts
At markets, cash is normal. Some modern stalls take QR payment, and small notes (20, 50 and 100 THB) make paying easier.
Bargain only at markets and street stalls, never in malls, department stores, convenience stores or anywhere prices are marked. Stay friendly and calm, and once you agree a price, buy the item.
In Bangkok malls, register a tourist card before you shop and bring your passport:
- ONESIAM Global Visitor Card (free, online or in the ONESIAM app): up to 5% at department stores and other partner offers, valid at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok and ICS.
- The 1 Tourist Card (Central department stores, CentralWorld): a 5% discount under conditions that change; ask at customer service.
The VAT refund on souvenirs
Thailand's VAT is 7%. Tourists can claim part of it back at the airport on the day they leave, for goods bought at shops showing the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign. Thai nationals, residents of Thailand and anyone staying more than 180 days cannot claim.
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Minimum spend | 2,000 THB including VAT per shop per day |
| At the till | Show your original passport; keep the P.P.10 form and the tax invoice |
| Time limit | The goods leave Thailand with you within 60 days |
| Customs check | Needed before check-in when the goods total 20,000 THB or more |
| Luxury items | 40,000 THB or more each: hand luggage, shown again after passport control |
| How you are paid | Up to 30,000 THB: cash (THB), Alipay or WeChat Pay; above that, credit card only |
A processing fee is deducted, so you get back less than 7%; malls advertise "up to 6%". Refund offices are at 10 international airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. As of September 2026, Suvarnabhumi Airport lists its VAT refund office at Entrance 10, Main Terminal, Floor 4, in the public area; check the airport's information before you fly.
Getting your shopping to the airport
More shopping means more bags, so choose the car by luggage: a sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, a van up to 7 and 5.
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed per vehicle, one way, with expressway tolls included:
- Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi: 600 THB sedan, 800 THB SUV, 1,100 THB van. Book an SUV from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi.
- Bangkok to Don Mueang: 600 THB sedan, 800 THB SUV, 1,000 THB van. Book an SUV from Bangkok to Don Mueang.
- Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi: 1,200 THB sedan, 1,500 THB SUV, 1,800 THB van. Book a van from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi.
Pickups or drop-offs in Bangkok west of the Chao Phraya (Thonburi side) add 100–200 THB.
For a whole shopping day, the Bangkok full-day private tour (up to 10 hours) costs 2,700 / 3,000 / 3,700 / 4,000 THB for a sedan, SUV, van or VIP van; see tours and day trips.
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. All routes are on the fare list.
Useful Thai phrases
| English | Thai | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| How much? | เท่าไร | Tao rai? |
| Can you lower the price? | ลดได้ไหม | Lot dai mai? |
| Can you gift-wrap it? | ห่อของขวัญได้ไหม | Hor khong khwan dai mai? |
| A receipt, please | ขอใบเสร็จ | Kho bai set |
FAQ
Where can I see good Thai silk in Bangkok? At the Jim Thompson House, 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, open daily 10:00–17:00, about 250 THB entry, near BTS National Stadium.
Can I take a Buddha statue home? Buddha images need permission to leave Thailand, except small medallions and very small statues. Antiques need a Fine Arts Department licence. Ask the shop and Thai Customs (1164).
How is Thai gold sold? By baht weight (15.16 g for 96.5% gold bullion), at the Gold Traders Association's daily price.
Do VAT-refund goods have to go in my hand luggage? Luxury items worth 40,000 THB or more each must. They are shown to Revenue officers again after passport control.
Need a car for a shopping day or a ride to the airport with extra bags? Message us on WhatsApp or LINE.