Thailand

froggone · #1 03-06-2006, 12:38

Hi

In your travels, has anyone come across any products that may be worth importing from Thailand?

Basically, something you can get in Thailand that you would like to get at home?....besides the girls and/or boys.

thanks

IRISH JONNY · #2 03-06-2006, 13:34

All There Fresh Spices And Herbs !!!!!!!!!!
Ij

steve@thaib · #3 03-06-2006, 15:21

I've tried it and found the costs prohibitive. You would have to do it on a big scale to make it worth your while in my experience.

If it's just a 'what' question then I would say craft products, some of the wood carvings are well worth having. Also, Thai silk seems to be top quality and worth looking at.

Caerphilly · #4 03-06-2006, 16:32

Silk ties are on my shopping/distribution list to blokes I work with, good for the suitcase a the little profit brings some "relief".

Agree with spices and that...low weight high UK value items, a wooden pot I paid £4 last year was very similiar to a pot OI saw in Next yesterday at £16...but some stuff too bulky for holiday imports

steve@thaib · #5 03-06-2006, 17:52

Silk ties are a good call. I have brought loads home in the past and seem to remember paying 60baht for them. Excellent quality and you can get lots in your bag.

steve@thaib · #6 03-06-2006, 17:54

Just on the herbs/spices front. I see that the OP is from Australia, I don't think taking foodstuffs home will go down well there. They seem pretty touchy about that sort of thing.

stevem · #7 03-06-2006, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Just on the herbs/spices front. I see that the OP is from Australia, I don't think taking foodstuffs home will go down well there. They seem pretty touchy about that sort of thing.

And also wooden items

Caerphilly · #8 03-06-2006, 18:59

trying to finish decorating before my trip and been looking for paintings etc....ffs they are unreal expensive here for decent oil painting

saw lots around last year but the size prevents the single traveller carrying home (not enough arms)

what sort of money is dhl or similiar transit from phuket to uk?

As need to compare e-bay stuff from china with what i could pick up on hols, but always best to see it "in the flesh"

steve@thaib · #9 03-06-2006, 20:10

Don't know about oil paintings, but I got some of the prints on rice paper (from Wat Pho I think) and they look fantastic framed. I also got some leather carving/etchings and they are nice too.

Paintings would be awkward and expensive to ship I guess?

LivinLOS · #10 03-06-2006, 23:20

Oil on canvas can be deframed and rolled with film and they bundle it into a plastic drainpipe for secure postage.. I have shipped quite a few back.. Just need to have it mounted and framed back home.

Theres a gallery near me where the guy has got a great eye and has started painting with gold oils and does some really great abstract pieces..

Caerphilly · #11 04-06-2006, 02:01

Thanks for advising, maybe you could point me in the direction towards his gallery in 3 weeks?

cheers
Dave

LivinLOS · #12 04-06-2006, 09:15

Sure..

Head from the Karon Raod into Patong.. Road arrives and bends left and new traffic lights (the right turn would lead you onto Nanai South) head along the road only 10m towards the beach road / Rat U Thit and on the right is now some art galleries and a couple of wooden artifact etc type shops..

His gallery is the one thats gone all upmarket with glassfrontage / spot lights / etc.. Some nice stuff in gold's, maroons, etc.. More abstract than pictures of stuff..

Caerphilly · #13 04-06-2006, 14:59

I think I know where you mean and maybe stopped there for a browse last year if memory serves.

Is this in the immediate vicinity between Simon Caberet club the bend in road from Karon to Patong in from of LayBinDee hotel?

Workshop galleries on LHS of road and around the bend on RHS a few more gallery shops which are up-market?

I'm staying just round corner (if my map reading is correct) in 3 weeks so hopefully lots of browsing/chatting time.

Thx Dave

LivinLOS · #14 04-06-2006, 15:04

Dont know Laybindee..

From Simon head back to Patong.. Traffic light then left turn and its on the right..

froggone · #15 06-06-2006, 04:57

Hi,

Thanks for your thoughts so far.

Australia does have some strict quarrintine rules so i would have to be careful about the products i bring back. Especially food stuffs and wooden items.

I am going to have a good look around on my next trip.

frog

Coolhand · #16 06-06-2006, 05:20

If you are aerious about importing things to make a profit, why not go to Bangkok when there is a trade fair on? I think they are held a couple of times a year. Look for laxquerware, silver, pewter other handmade goods supported by OTOP.

Denver · #17 06-06-2006, 19:28

Do they still make those huge Harley Davidsons out of hardwoods? I must admit I didn't see any of those this last trip over. There must be thousands of those stuck in peoples houses all over the world.

Used to see people walking around with those things under thier arms.

I must admit to liking some of the artwork out there this time and standing in front of the 'No photography' signs when they are painting trying to get a sneaky shot! Some very good quality copies of pretty much anything you hand over to them!

steve@thaib · #18 06-06-2006, 21:49

Just found this forum:

http://www.eximforum.com/

I don't know anything about it but is worth a look. Good for research if nothing else.

vxdxm · #19 17-07-2006, 06:02

How safe is it to import counterfeit items to the UK. As these types of items can bring a small profit. Especially desirable items

Coolhand · #20 17-07-2006, 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxdxm

How safe is it to import counterfeit items to the UK. As these types of items can bring a small profit. Especially desirable items

The punishment, if caught, can be up to 10 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

first time gal · #21 18-07-2006, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggone

Hi,

Thanks for your thoughts so far.

Australia does have some strict quarrintine rules so i would have to be careful about the products i bring back. Especially food stuffs and wooden items.

I am going to have a good look around on my next trip.

frog

You can bring wooden items in to Australia through the airport (ie in your luggage) as long as you check them thoroughly for insect holes etc. On a larger scale though I think you can have the items fumigated when they arrive if necessary. (or obtain a fumigation certificate from the country of origin.)

Not sure how familiar you are with importation procedures (so you may know this already), there's a lot of paperwork involved but if you use a freight forwarder/import agent, they do all of the hard work for you, with customs clearance etc.

The Thai handicrafts, wooden items, bags, silks, cushion covers, artwork is an importers dream as far as I could see... as long as you had the means to onsell (your own giftshop etc).

floppy · #22 18-07-2006, 17:09

not sure on wich scale you are considering importing into aus or what product..I have been manufacturing and selling furniture in aus for more than 30 years, and as most small manufactures and sellers of just about any homemade product we are getting the guts ripped out of our trade by imports from china .malaysia and los, and I think its inevatable that its a trend that wont stop..I have often thought its about time reluctantly that I follow this trend and with a little help from a few contacts at home I might see what los has to offer myself this next trip to bkk and phuket. unfortanetly you have to spend a dollar to make a dollar so make sure you do your sums very carefully,it can turn around and bite you in the bum!!..

but in saying that I think thai silk can still be bought in los (by the roll )and sold in aus and a profit can be made there just isnt anything on the market of the same quality and price that is comparable in Aus and I always bring back a few rolls and have had no problem moving it off the shelf..

vxdxm · #23 20-07-2006, 04:46

So basicaly if u want to bring something counterfeit back home, then its wiser to post it through the post?

vhtsiam · #24 14-08-2006, 08:06

Australia has the strictest rules in the world for wood importation. That said, a certificate showing the items have been fumigated will help clear customs. My wife is in the shipping business -- if you need details, PM me.

mars · #25 14-08-2006, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Sure..

Head from the Karon Raod into Patong.. Road arrives and bends left and new traffic lights (the right turn would lead you onto Nanai South) head along the road only 10m towards the beach road / Rat U Thit and on the right is now some art galleries and a couple of wooden artifact etc type shops

I had a walk down there last xmas and have to agree some of the artwork is fantastic, i was wishing if there was an easy way to some back on the plane with me.

Caerphilly · #26 15-08-2006, 03:03

On the Street that LIL gives directions to I ended up buying a set of 4 Thai symbols for Spring, Summer, Autun & Winter in oil paint (unframed) for 3500bhat. The cost could be considered excessive but they fit in well at home and local "oil painting" start from 5000 bht each so well happy.

Chose a size 400mm by 800mm and had them kept on their frames with no probs getting the package onto the Thai flight home. Granted that was before the recent "terror threat" situation.

In my sea