what to bring as presents for the Thais?

elem · Specialist Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 203 Location: HH

Can anyone advice on what kind of presents one could bring from Europe to the maid/driver and other thai staff? (and NO, I will not bring latest version of techthingie, nor buy a scooter/MC/house) Shocked

Guess · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject:

Cash
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G

elem · Specialist Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 203 Location: HH

I knew someone would tell me that!!!!
thx anyway... Rolling Eyes

Jaime · Ace Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1898 Location: Sh*t Creek

That may seem like a flippant response from Guess but it's the truth.

Before I ever went to Thailand my family were very good friends with a Thai family whose son also went to our school. They were upper class Thais and the father of our schoolfriend was a consultant cancer specialist at University Hospital, Cardiff.

Anyway, we kept in touch and as a doctor he gave me my first references for jobs etc. So, some years later, when I eventually decided I was going to marry my Thai wife I went to ask his advice on dowry, whether I was being fleeced etc. etc. Thankfully it was all good but when I asked him for ideas for presents for my in-laws he answered just as Guess. In fact, he went further. He actually told me that money was the best present you could ever give to a Thai of any social status.... that or gold. It is not the thought that counts but the value. Simple as that.
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prcscct · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject:

Cash is a good one, but just like anywhere else in the world, "it's the thought that counts". They'll appreciate some small token and probably treasure it and talk about it for a generation or so, especially if they've never received anything from overseas before.

A good pen knife with some kind of crest on it for a man, maybe some little cup/saucer or figurine thing for a woman that she can display. If younger women, a European scarf (not winter wear but fashion wear). If they're football fans, some kind of reproduction World Cup photo or some other kind of memorabilia.

Honestly, whatever you bring you'll be in their good book for a long time. Cheers

Pete

prcscct · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:

DawnHRD · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject:

I don't know about Thais per se, & will definitely bow to everyone else's wisdom on that, but as a parent, I always find a gift for my son more welcome than a gift for me. How about a specifically European gift for their kids? World cup football, Hamleys set of toy cars, whatever the latest craze is in Europe, particularly if it's been heard of here. Just an idea Idea

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lomuamart · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject:

Education.
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Jaime · Ace Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1898 Location: Sh*t Creek

prcscct · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject:

STEVE G · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject:

I have found that Thais appreciate a good bottle of whisky, but it might not be appropriate for the driver!

Toni · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:11 am Post subject:

Speaking from my own experience, I'm not convinced Thais actually "appreciate" any gift. I've bought whisky and other spirits for the in-laws before now and they just get guzzled within about 20 minutes of me handing them over. I don't think they'd be able to tell the difference between a bottle of Glenfiddich and a bottle of Tesco value whisky!!

STEVE G · Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 4:53 am Post subject:

Toni Wrote;
I don't think they'd be able to tell the difference between a bottle of Glenfiddich and a bottle of Tesco value whisky!!

I know a few Thais who do like decent blended whisky, but I wouldn’t bother with anything more exotic. If they guzzle it in twenty minutes, like you say, they would be happy with Royal Spey from 7/11!

tbuzzi · Banned Joined: 24 Jul 2006 Posts: 44 Location: Chumphon

Is this your staff or the staff of a freind?
Are you coming from Europe or USA?

elem · Specialist Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 203 Location: HH

Thx all..
Theresa; I wouldn't call them "mine", but they do stuff for us in the condo. From Europe