Souvenirs from Thailand

Many holidaymakers bring home the strangest souvenirs as a reminder of the country they visited. They often disappear after a short time because the buyer quickly gets tired of them. It has been several years since a reader asked the 'Thailand experts' on this blog which souvenirs she should buy in Thailand. And of course the lady in question was not abandoned by the 'experts' and many suggestions immediately followed.

Markets and especially the evening and Sunday market of Chiangmai were advised to give the eyes a good living there. Naturally, the necessary suggestions followed such as silverware, silk scarves, pottery, silk cushion covers, carved pieces of perfumed soap, antiques, jewellery, amulets and a multitude of trinkets in which the elephant played an important role. Supplemented with the necessary recommendations and warnings. Visit markets and remember that Buddha statues are not allowed to be exported. And …. don't forget to haggle was the advice several times.

And what about the article 'Best buying tips in Bangkok'? Orchids, tailor-made clothing, CDs and DVDs, fine dining, Thai silk, bags and shoes, home accessories and ceramics.

And what about a Breitling or Rolex watch on your wrist. In addition, you can return home dressed in a Burberry or Prada outfit - or any other well-known fashion brand - as a man or woman of prestige. Of course these fakes cost you little, but no one will see that from you.

My keepsakes

Actually, I dare not tell; I also have two Thailand souvenirs for years. It's even worse than you might think because I look at them almost every day and they're still in my living room. Just two pieces of wood. Years ago I bought a block of wood somewhere in a tiny village in the far north of an old man who, next to his poor hut, was working a lump of wood into an elephant. He laughed when I gave my thumbs up and beamed with pride. Sitting on the floor I watched him for a while and without speaking each other's language we understood each other. He carved that simple piece of wood into Thailand's symbol, the elephant. Pure and raw, not sanded smooth nor painted. Honest pure handicraft.

My second memory was in the south at Hat Yai. In the middle of the city a man sat on the sidewalk in front of him a display of all kinds of odds and ends. Worse in between was a distorted piece of branch that, with a little imagination in my mind, resembled a two-faced torso. A police officer also came to have a look and probably thought I was just a strange guy. Saw him and the seller wondering what that farang wanted with such a piece of wood and completely crazy also wanted to spend money for it. At home I bought a matching block of granite from a stonemason and attached the torso as a kind of work of art. Julius now stands proudly upright in my room brotherly next to Jumbo, connecting North and South Thailand.