Gifts to bring from the US

[JNLBC]

Avoid bringing things like democracy with you. Apparently the new government isn't too keen at the moment.

They don't have that in the us either mate.


Anyway gifts for thais? Candy. Most thais love everything thai anyway. Bring stuff for yourself like herbs spices rubs sauces that you hanker for

Western herbs and spices are actually a great idea. Never thought of that one.

[pseudolus]

Yes most but not all American chocolate is pretty bad however there are many small purveyors who make amazing chocolate.

I agree. I had a mate who brought me some chocolate from America. I assumed it would be that watery sweet shite like hershy what ever its called, but no! This stuff was amazingly high quality and the only problem was that he did not bring enough of it!

[ltnt]

Licorice twists. Both those red and black types. You can get Aussie licorice, but it tastes different. Big Jelly beans assorted flavors.

Trader Joe's, wow! Wonder why they don't have an operation here? Or Fresh Choice?

[Humbert]

^ Damn it Itnt, you are a genius.

[Humbert]

I agree. I had a mate who brought me some chocolate from America. I assumed it would be that watery sweet shite like hershy

Hershey's adds milk to chocolate and sells to the mass market. European chocolate is market to an upscale consumer. Nestle is a Swiss company that also sells milk chocolate to the mass market.

[pseudolus]

I agree. I had a mate who brought me some chocolate from America. I assumed it would be that watery sweet shite like hershy

Hershey's adds milk to chocolate and sells to the mass market. European chocolate is market to an upscale consumer. Nestle is a Swiss company that also sells milk chocolate to the mass market.

Most places make Milk Chocolate; its a standard. Hershey is incredibly sweet though, and they legitimacy get to label vegetable oil as Cocao Butter due to some labeling loophole. Doesn't taste as chocolaty as a result.

However, some of the America chocolate I tried, especially the stuff my mate used to bring, was amazing. Blew me away to be honest.

[ltnt]

Damn it Itnt, you are a genius.

That's why they pay me the "big bucks," Humbert.

[bsnub]

However, some of the America chocolate I tried, especially the stuff my mate used to bring, was amazing. Blew me away to be honest.

This is true of most American foods, wine and beer. The stuff that is the easiest to get it is shit however when you look around you will find many excellent foods free of GMO's that taste incredible. The same is true with American beer as well. The key word is "micro" when buying beer in the US. Here is Seattle we have a ton of local handcrafted beer and make no mistake some of it is among the best in the world.

[ftpjtm]

RE American chocolate - Per an acquaintance working at Lindt USA, mass marketed chocolate sold in America contains more wax than European chocolate due to the warmer climate. US boutique chocolatiers have more control of the environment their goods are in from manufacturer to shelf, and therefore offer a better product. European brands produced in the US or Asia are never as good as the European product, but European sourced chocolate can be pretty tough to transport around Thailand without melting.

RE a good gift - This may sound absurd but a favorite of our relatives living up country is American pharmaceuticals. They all swear that anything from the US is more effective than locally sourced items, despite being chemically equivalent. So we usually bring giant bottles of asprin, multi vitamins, Tylenol, antacids, etc. And the villagers literally fight over them.

[LEGENDARY]

RE American chocolate - Per an acquaintance working at Lindt USA, mass marketed chocolate sold in America contains more wax than European chocolate due to the warmer climate. US boutique chocolatiers have more control of the environment their goods are in from manufacturer to shelf, and therefore offer a better product. European brands produced in the US or Asia are never as good as the European product, but European sourced chocolate can be pretty tough to transport around Thailand without melting.

RE a good gift - This may sound absurd but a favorite of our relatives living up country is American pharmaceuticals. They all swear that anything from the US is more effective than locally sourced items, despite being chemically equivalent. So we usually bring giant bottles of asprin, multi vitamins, Tylenol, antacids, etc. And the villagers literally fight over them.

I second this about the pharmaceuticals and drug store items... not only for potency, but for price. Typical American drug store items are far cheaper than Thai and if you're considering constructed items like band-aids, far better constructed.

[Johnny Farang]

I once was planning a trip to Thailand and was thinking about gifts to bring for some Thai people I knew, people who'd been to university in New England. So I asked my friend Somchai (a Boston resident (and a real person, not a caricature)), "how about maple syrup?"

He grimaced and wrinkled his nose, shrugged his shoulders and said something like "nnnyyhhehhh... " adopting the sort of tortured posture that effectively says "that's a lousy idea but kreng jai prevents me from coming right out and saying it."

Okay fine I thought, maybe maple syrup's a little too strange/unfamiliar for the Thai palate, forget about it then.

Shortly before my departure I get a call from Somchai asking if I'd be kind enough to take a few things to give to his friends back home. Bottles of maple syrup.

[LEGENDARY]

I once was planning a trip to Thailand and was thinking about gifts to bring for some Thai people I knew, people who'd been to university in New England. So I asked my friend Somchai (a Boston resident (and a real person, not a caricature)), "how about maple syrup?"

He grimaced and wrinkled his nose, shrugged his shoulders and said something like "nnnyyhhehhh... " adopting the sort of tortured posture that effectively says "that's a lousy idea but kreng jai prevents me from coming right out and saying it."

Okay fine I thought, maybe maple syrup's a little too strange/unfamiliar for the Thai palate, forget about it then.

Shortly before my departure I get a call from Somchai asking if I'd be kind enough to take a few things to give to his friends back home. Bottles of maple syrup.

This must have been before 9/11.

[pseudolus]

However, some of the America chocolate I tried, especially the stuff my mate used to bring, was amazing. Blew me away to be honest.

This is true of most American foods, wine and beer. The stuff that is the easiest to get it is shit however when you look around you will find many excellent foods free of GMO's that taste incredible. The same is true with American beer as well. The key word is "micro" when buying beer in the US. Here is Seattle we have a ton of local handcrafted beer and make no mistake some of it is among the best in the world.

I can well believe that not that I get much of a chance to try the stuff. Marketeers call people such as me "innovators" in that if I see something new I will buy it and give it a try. Often I pick up weird looking stuff in the big expat shops here from the US (having googled quickly to check it is not the hugely mass produced shite) and usually find it to be great.

Unless the NSA has red flagged me for some strange reason I plan in the next couple of year to take a long relaxed tour around the US for a few months staying mostly in smaller cities and towns, trying out the local goodies.

[david44]

Just had an urgent telegram from an almost bankrupt regime

Please bring some Christmas Cheer.Stop

Badly need to rsert sanook.Stop

Gold Frank sense and more.Stop

[david44]

However, some of the America chocolate I tried, especially the stuff my mate used to bring, was amazing. Blew me away to be honest.

This is true of most American foods, wine and beer. The stuff that is the easiest to get it is shit however when you look around you will find many excellent foods free of GMO's that taste incredible. The same is true with American beer as well. The key word is "micro" when buying beer in the US. Here is Seattle we have a ton of local handcrafted beer and make no mistake some of it is among the best in the world.

I can well believe that not that I get much of a chance to try the stuff. Marketeers call people such as me "innovators" in that if I see something new I will buy it and give it a try. Often I pick up weird looking stuff in the big expat shops here from the US (having googled quickly to check it is not the hugely mass produced shite) and usually find it to be great.

Unless the NSA has red flagged me for some strange reason I plan in the next couple of year to take a long relaxed tour around the US for a few months staying mostly in smaller cities and towns, trying out the local goodies.

Curiously my plan too health permitting self drive ,I'll start San Francisco stop Eureka Astoria Portland Sequim Port Angeles then over Juan de Fuca by ferry to Vancouver Island and often ignored Victoria a very nice place,

Kamloops then into Boise Spokane Bozeman Flathead Lake,Yellowstone then south through the Mts back rds to the great Salt lake a surprisngly interesting burg even if you only require one wife,then Incline a lakeside community near Reno California border ,Sacramento,Dublin and back.

If your renting cars it can be simpler to do one either side due to insurance hikes,Its also possible to do West Coast cities by rail/bus however the small places are better and normal life in small town America away from the Walmarts and riots and New York LA overspill is still fine.

A camper Winnebago is one way but tends to cut you off from loals tho will meeet lots of similar folks at the hook ups .

[pseudolus]

^ Was thinking about the train actually. 45 day rail pass from Amtrak

Amtrak - Reservations - USA Rail Pass - Select Pass

Then if not bored of trains, get another 45 day one

[Humbert]

Dublin

Why would you go to Dublin? It's just a bedroom community on a freeway.

[ltnt]

Because its close to Lawrence Livermore Laboratories and the Linear accelerator?

How about picking up a couple gallons of Egg Nog while at it?i Can't find it here.

[Humbert]

^Nice view of Mt Diablo.

[ltnt]

^On the way to the Clairmont hotel on Sunday for their Brunch?

[fishlocker]

I haul almonds as a snack in carry on. Gardettos vanish the first night in Laos. The big hit with girls mom was a jar of honey. I bring the foil packs of tuna as fresh French bread is readily avalible in Pakse. I also bring out the Helmans "bring out the best"? May have it but like all imports its super costly. A one dollar can of sardines was three dollars in a super market. Levis jeans and old army jackets are a winner at our camp. Cheese for me. A big can of powdered Gatoraid for the dehydration I usually suffer after I get the spits from local food. Jonson's baby powder as all talcum powder or corn starch is high priced and I will use it!!!! Sun block is also a must. Oh and real fishing rods and reels and lures is a hit. Thats a partial list of things I take into Laos. And Usingers garlic summer sausage because it packs well and lasts forever. Goes great with good cheese!

[fishlocker]

I'm talking southern Laos though. Bkk it's not. I could have bought rods and reels in pakse just not shimono or any other name brand for that matter. In fact there was one guy that had a few of them at his "stand" Chinese makes. No lures, pack your Rapalas.
I give flash lights as gifts. The LED type. I have about 30 for my next visit.The kids love them and they are usefull, lots of batteries too.Durocell multipacks. I use Black Dimond camp lights.Way cool in Laos I guess My brother in laws (so to speak ) four of them will receive leather man skeletools as it has the belt clip bottle opener. They seem to use their teeth if nothing else is handy.
Taylor your gifts to who is receiving and what they may need and you will be fine, I'm sure. Best wishes as always.

[ltnt]

^You should open a shop Fishlocker.

[fishlocker]

Been there, done that. Gave girls mom a small sum to start a restaurant. Said she failed as wimpy would gladly pay her on Tuesday for a hamberger today. A couple of years ago I pissed off the lady down the road as I lent the bil 500 to buy a pool table . His brother had a cooler thus that became a local hangout and not the lady's . His wife now sells beers and snacks I think. I bought two kabota tractors with the promise of pay back. I dought I will recoup money but now I am in position to say I'm done with the lending tree. Tractors were about 4000 each. Now they can till their own lands and make $ tilling others.
For me its fine as the girls three sisters may take care of me when I get old. They are super nice to me and they have no Idea as to my financial health.
I plan to never open a shop or hotel ect ect ect. I will buy a bigger boat as I plan on doing more fishing.
All will be a gift when I expire. Take some honey and maple syrup for now, oh and chocolates. Soak dee duh.

[marybelleaustins]

Hello,


Maybe brings key ring from your town.


I like it and got this stuff back to Thailand when I was in LA.