Photo: Cheon Fong Liew
Forget the wooden frogs and silk scarves. Instead visitors should save room for cheap boots, dried fruits, easy noodles. These are some of the most popular, practical items foreigners buy to take home with them as worthy souvenirs, according to the lifestyle and tourism site Painaidii.
Smelling salts: After seeing enough locals huff on their ammonia inhalants for no particular reason, smelling salts have become popular with tourists. Duty-free juggernaut King Power is a popular source for packages of the stinky stuff.
Biscuit sticks: Pretz, Larb flavor: Larb or spicy minced meat salad recently has beaten the other flavors such as Pizza and Tom Yum Goong.
Boots: The ultimate in form-before-function fashion, such heavy stylish footwear has no place in Bangkok’s sizzling heat. But they’re cheap, and thus difficult to resist.
Crispy durian chips: Many consider the crispified version of the “king of fruits” superior to its regular fresh – and stinky – form.
Bento dried squid: Sweet, hot and available at 7-11. Irradiate slightly for maximum fishy aroma.
Sweet banana chips: The crack cocaine of relatively healthy snacks; it’s impossible to eat just one.
Naraya purses: With unique designs and attractive fabrics, this local brand has gained more international attention.
Instant noodles: Boil three minutes. Done. Everyone’s love of the mama is contagious, and there’s so many extraordinary flavors to consider, such as Tom Yum Goong, green curry, duck soup and more.
