From bustling floating markets and colorful night bazaars to boutique-lined historic districts, Thailand is a shopper’s paradise. The country’s diverse crafts, flavorful snacks and traditional wellness goods offer visitors countless ways to bring a piece of Thai culture home. Whether you’re exploring Phuket’s heritage streets or drifting through Pattaya’s markets by boat, every shopping experience reveals something special.
Here are 10 of the best Thailand souvenirs to add to your collection.
1. Thai Silk
Renowned for its luxurious texture and vibrant colors, Thai silk is one of the country’s most iconic exports. Produced using traditional methods in villages like Ban Khwao and Jim Thompson’s workshops in Bangkok, authentic Thai silk features a natural shimmer and slightly uneven weave. You can find scarves, ties, dresses and pillow covers in a rainbow of hues. Light and easy to pack, Thai silk is a timeless souvenir with practical elegance.
2. Coconut Oil Products
Coconut is one of Thailand’s most versatile natural ingredients, and you’ll find it infused in everything from skincare to snacks. Cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is prized for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Shops often sell it in sleek bottles, along with coconut body scrubs, lip balms and hair masks. Many spas and wellness boutiques in Phuket and Pattaya offer high-quality versions, making this a useful and pampering gift.
3. Hand-Carved Soap Flowers
Delicate and fragrant, soap flowers are a unique Thai craft found in night markets and tourist shops. Each one is carved by hand into a blooming lotus, rose or peony and often placed inside a decorative wooden box. These vibrant, detailed creations are almost too pretty to use and make lovely decorative items or gifts. Look for artisans demonstrating their skills in market stalls throughout the country.
4. Thai Spices & Curry Pastes
Thailand’s bold cuisine relies on a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. You can find ready-to-use curry pastes for dishes like green curry, massaman and tom yum in vacuum-sealed packets ideal for travel. Spice sets featuring dried chilies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal are available at markets and cooking schools alike. These flavorful souvenirs are perfect for recreating your favorite Thai dishes back home.
5. Elephant-Themed Accessories
The elephant is a revered symbol in Thailand, representing strength, wisdom and good fortune. Elephant-themed souvenirs range from carved wooden figurines and embroidered bags to silver jewelry and hand-painted ceramics. You’ll spot them in nearly every market, but Chiang Mai and Phuket Old Town are known for higher-quality artisan pieces. These charming items are both meaningful and memorable.
6. Thai Lacquerware
Having originated in northern Thailand, lacquerware is created by layering and polishing resin over bamboo or wood, then decorating the surface with gold leaf, paint or mother-of-pearl. The result is a glossy, colorful finish found on bowls, trays, boxes and vases. It’s a beautiful combination of form and function. Look for it in specialty stores and markets like Chatuchak in Bangkok or Baan Tawai near Chiang Mai.
7. Muay Thai Shorts & Gear
Thailand is the birthplace of Muay Thai, the traditional martial art known as the “Art of Eight Limbs.” Fans of the sport often pick up Muay Thai shorts, gloves or even hand wraps as bold souvenirs. These items are available in sports shops and street markets alike, often in colorful designs and embroidered with the Thai flag or stylized tigers. They’re great for fitness lovers or anyone intrigued by Thai culture.
8. Thai Snacks & Candies
Thailand’s snacks are as colorful and creative as its street food. From crispy seaweed and coconut chips to tamarind candy and mango gummy treats, there’s something for every craving. Popular brands package these snacks in eye-catching bags that are perfect for gifting or snacking on during the flight home. Look for local treats at 7-Eleven, specialty snack shops or the airport duty-free section.
9. Herbal Compress Balls
Used in traditional Thai massage, herbal compress balls are bundles of dried herbs like lemongrass, ginger, turmeric and kaffir lime wrapped in cotton. They’re steamed and applied to the body to soothe aches and improve circulation. You can buy pre-made compress balls in wellness shops and spas, often packaged with instructions and essential oils. They’re a relaxing souvenir that brings the spa experience home.
10. Handmade Jewelry & Trinkets
Markets in Thailand are full of artisan jewelry made from silver, brass, beads and semi-precious stones. You’ll find everything from minimalist bangles to ornate necklaces with elephant pendants or Buddhist symbols. Places like the Pattaya Floating Market or Phuket’s Thalang Road have stalls filled with affordable, handcrafted designs. These pieces are easy to carry, easy to love and distinctly Thai.
Shopping Excursions in Thailand
These shopping-focused excursions offer a perfect mix of sightseeing, culture and retail therapy:
- Phuket Sightseeing and Shopping
- Visit coastal viewpoints like Promthep Cape, tour a cashew nut factory and enjoy time at Gems Gallery. Afterward, browse a popular shopping area with local crafts and optional massage or dining.
- Sanctuary of Truth and Pattaya Floating Market
- Explore the hand-carved beauty of the Sanctuary of Truth temple, then shop for handmade crafts and Thai street food at a floating market. A visit to Gems Gallery is also included.
- Best of Phuket Tour
- Tour sacred sites like Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha, explore Phuket Old Town, enjoy a seaside Thai lunch and stop to shop for cashews and souvenirs in a local marketplace.
Discover the Best Souvenirs in Thailand for Unique Finds
If you're wondering what to buy in Thailand, start with silk scarves, coconut oil products, curry pastes and elephant-themed keepsakes. Each item is a reflection of Thai artistry, tradition or flavor. Whether you’re browsing in a floating market, watching soap carvers at work or tasting snacks straight from a local stall, shopping in Thailand is an experience that stays with you — and your suitcase — long after you’ve left.
Keep Exploring Thailand
Want to learn more about this vibrant destination? Check out these guides to plan your next adventure:
- Phuket, Thailand Shore Excursions – Dive into culture, nature and shopping on unforgettable Phuket day trips.
- Bangkok, Thailand Shore Excursions – Discover Bangkok’s rich history and vibrant street life through curated excursions.
- Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand – From island hopping to temple visits, explore the top experiences in Phuket.
- Things to Do in Bangkok, Thailand – Wander grand palaces, cruise the Chao Phraya River and taste your way through Thailand’s capital.
- Best Beaches in Thailand – Find your perfect beach, whether you’re dreaming of quiet coves or lively island escapes.
