What to Buy in Thailand

Local goods and souvenirs worth bringing home — with photos, typical prices, and where to buy them.

Celadon ceramics

USD 20–150

This stoneware has a cracked glaze effect derived from wood ash and natural minerals.

Celadon ceramics
Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. (CC0)
Where to buy: Siam Celadon, Chiang Mai night markets

Natural herbal balms

USD 3–10 · From Chiang Mai Province

Local medicinal blends use forest-gathered ginger and lemongrass for muscle relief.

Natural herbal balms
Steffen Buus Kristensen (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Pai Walking Street evening stalls

Thai silk

USD 30–200

Known for a unique iridescent sheen created by hand-reeling individual silk strands.

Thai silk
JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Jim Thompson House or the boutique shops in Siam Paragon.

Lanna-style silver jewelry

USD 20–100 · From Chiang Mai Province

These pieces feature high silver content and intricate nature-inspired stamps from local artisans.

Lanna-style silver jewelry
anonymous (CC0)
Where to buy: Small craft shops on Rangthiyanon Road.

Natural Herbal Balm

USD 2–7 · From Chiang Mai Province

Small-batch balms use local lemongrass and ginger to soothe sore muscles.

Natural Herbal Balm
Steffen Buus Kristensen (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Pai Walking Street health stalls

Thai Silk Cushion Covers

USD 15–40 · From Surat Thani

Vibrant colors and durable weaves make these a practical way to bring Thai style home.

Thai Silk Cushion Covers
JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Textile shops near the Phangan pier.

Pai coffee beans

USD 8–20 · From Chiang Mai Province

High-altitude beans grown in the surrounding mountains offer a bright, acidic profile.

Pai coffee beans
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Pai Coffee or local roasters along Ratchadamnoen Road

Cashew Nut Products

USD 5–25 · From Phuket Province

Phuket is a major producer of these nuts, offered here in flavors like tom yum or honey sesame.

Cashew Nut Products
Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Sri Burapha Orchid

Dried Mango and Tropical Fruits

USD 5–20 · From Surat Thani

These local sun-dried fruits contain no additives and capture the intense sweetness of Thai mangoes.

Dried Mango and Tropical Fruits
Armineaghayan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Thong Sala morning market

Tea from Doi Mae Salong

USD 5–30 · From Chiang Rai

Cool mountain air produces exceptional Oolong varieties that compete with international premium harvests.

Tea from Doi Mae Salong
User Iateasquirrel on en.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Tea plantations in Mae Salong or central city tea houses.

Hand-Carved Soap Flowers

USD 3–10 · From Surat Thani

Fragrant bars are meticulously sculpted into lotus or jasmine shapes by local craftspeople.

Hand-Carved Soap Flowers
Thelmadatter (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Lamai Night Market

Traditional Thai Fisherman Pants

USD 5–12 · From Surat Thani

Light cotton wrap-around pants remain the most practical garment for island heat.

Traditional Thai Fisherman Pants
Eljaybe9 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Chaweng Walking Street

Golden Triangle Arabica Coffee

USD 8–20 · From Chiang Rai

High-altitude beans from nearby slopes offer a cleaner profile than commercial robusta blends.

Golden Triangle Arabica Coffee
MarkSweep (Public domain)
Where to buy: Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, various growers at the Saturday Night Walking Street.

Hand-painted Batik Sarong

USD 10–25 · From Krabi

Local artisans use wax-resist techniques to create vibrant floral and ocean-inspired patterns.

Hand-painted Batik Sarong
Hiart (CC0)
Where to buy: Maharat Road morning market

Ceramic Essential Oil Burners

USD 15–50 · From Surat Thani

Hand-fired pottery studios on the island produce unique designs inspired by local coral textures.

Ceramic Essential Oil Burners
Micha L. Rieser (Attribution)
Where to buy: Srithanu village art studios

Doi Chang Coffee Beans

USD 8–20 · From Chiang Rai

High-altitude beans grown in the nearby mountains provide a complex, floral flavor profile.

Doi Chang Coffee Beans
MarkSweep (Public domain)
Where to buy: Doi Chang Coffee specialty shops

Dried Cashew Nuts

USD 5–25 · From Phuket Province

Phuket is a major producer and the snacks are far fresher than exports.

Dried Cashew Nuts
Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where to buy: Sri Burapha Orchid.

Northern Thai Lacquerware

USD 10–60 · From Chiang Rai

These hand-painted bowls use a centuries-old resin technique to achieve a glass-like finish.

Northern Thai Lacquerware
Hiart (CC0)
Where to buy: Chiang Rai Night Bazaar stalls

Handmade Leather Sandals

USD 20–45 · From Chiang Mai Province

These durable leather slides are crafted locally for comfort in the heat.

Handmade Leather Sandals
AIDEPCUL (CC BY 4.0)
Where to buy: Small boutiques along Rangthiyanon Road

Northern Thai coffee beans

USD 8–20 · From Chiang Mai Province

High-altitude beans from nearby mountains offer a rich flavor profile distinct from southern crops.

Northern Thai coffee beans
CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Where to buy: Big's Cafe; various small roasters along Ratchadamnoen Road.

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.