The Kitchen Sink

[PeteC]

I would really stress to bring casual summer clothing. There are Thai sizes here and farang sizes. For example, even with foreigner sizes no two waist size 38 shorts will fit the same, even from the same brand name. Bring enough of the type you'll wear almost everyday to last you until a trip home, then bring more. If you do buy anything here don't ever believe the size label, try everything on. Pete

[margaretcarnes]

I agree with Moja about the bread. There's a much better choice in HH than a few years ago, and some good continental bakers. A lot though depends on whether you prefer white or brown bread. Thai supermarket brown bread is fine for me - the white is sweet. I wouldn't cart any kitchen appliances personally, including irons. Keep ironing to a minimum by buying drip dry and using laundries, which are cheap. Ironing in that climate is a horrible sweaty business and best avoided!
Kettles are always an issue - some hate the Thai kettles. I love them and use one in the UK. Again - depends what you prefer. If you drink coffee the Thai ones are fine IMO, but don't boil sufficiently for tea.
I've never had a problem with Thai toasters, irons or hairdryers. FM radios though are expensive compared to he UK.
The one thing I wish I'd taken with me was a good magnifying mirror! And a few decent forks (cutlery variety) wouldn't have gone amiss. Thai forks must be what Uri Geller uses. Also you can't get those decent veggie peelers - the sort with the string wrapped round the handle - or decent darts and flights.

[Big Boy]

Contrary to what Mags says, every time my daughter returns to Thailand, she takes a decent iron. However, she can't afford laundries.

[moja]

Decent forks are no longer a problem - Index has an excellent selection.

I have found that Thai irons are very erratic when it comes to temperature control so now buy when I am in the UK.

The one thing I really wish we had brought with us was our upright deep freeze - there are only chest freezers here and everything seems to get lost at the bottom. I did not think I would really need a freezer here and that the small section on the top of the fridge would be enough but it is not.

[Terry]

As mentioned - Drill Bits

Even the local 'good ones' are shite and wouldn't last through a pound of butter.

So - if you are a DIY fan or are just picture hanging, then bear this in mind.

[hhfarang]

Decent darts and flights can be purchased from Bobby of Bobby's bar on Soi 102. I think he imports them from the U.K. or a shop in Bangkok. Anyway from what he's told me they are professional quality...

As far as drill bits go, I brought all mine from the U.S., but they were for a normal drill used in U.S. style construction. Even though I brought wood, steel, and masonry bits, they are of little use here with the impact drills needed for cement block and plaster walls...

[STEVE G]

Now ironing is an activity that I've tried to avoid since leaving the military in 1990, but having read this thread this morning, I did have a quick look in Buriram Big C whilst my partner was buying another fan.
The most expensive one was a complicated looking Phillips thing costing over 5000 bt, so if that isn't 'good' it's definately overpriced!

[kendo]

Decent forks are no longer a problem - Index has an excellent selection.

I have found that Thai irons are very erratic when it comes to temperature control so now buy when I am in the UK.

The one thing I really wish we had brought with us was our upright deep freeze - there are only chest freezers here and everything seems to get lost at the bottom. I did not think I would really need a freezer here and that the small section on the top of the fridge would be enough but it is not.

We perchased a large upright fridge freezer silver Toshiba from Tesco Lotus in Surin.
Kendo.

[fach3003]

Hi All,

Its great to read all these replys

my list is getting longer....

Im taking it all on board.

Keep them coming...

[moja]

We perchased a large upright fridge freezer silver Toshiba from Tesco Lotus in Surin.
Kendo. [/quote]

I will have to look when we are in Tesco on Friday - have to admit it is probably a year since I last looked. If you wait long enough everything makes it to Hua Hin eventually!!!

[kendo]

We perchased a large upright fridge freezer silver Toshiba from Tesco Lotus in Surin.
Kendo.

I will have to look when we are in Tesco on Friday - have to admit it is probably a year since I last looked. If you wait long enough everything makes it to Hua Hin eventually!!![/quote]

We perchased that fridge freezer 3 years ago up in the Surin branch, things like this you will find a global price on when the exchange rate is around 65 baht to the pound for example in the U.K my micro wave went bang, because i couldent be arsed to go into the city i just went to my local Tesco and perchased a silver micro wave for £45.00 1 year later i perchased the same micro wave in Tesco Lotus Surin for 3000 baht, so the same price.
I also looked at Playstations and flat panel tv's and they also where around the same price.
I would strongly expect with the exchange rate that these items will cost at least 15% more than before with this diyer exchange rate.

I am very surprised that anyone is making the dream move with the exchange rate the way it is.
Kendo.

[fach3003]

Hi all

Thanks for the priceless info

Even if the baht continues to plummet
ill be there....Had my fill of this rock

Regards to all

[margaretcarnes]

It's good to hear that there are better supplies of some essentials now in HH - like darts! One time it meant a trip to Bangkok to stock up.
But seriously this thread does show that more and more items are readily available. It's just a case of asking and looking around. And even if the exchange rate makes some things a bit more expensive in the LOS, there has to be the consideration of baggage weight and hassle of carting stuff to take into account.
I do take points made about some electrical goods bought in LOS being less than efficient, but I seem to remember some debate ages ago about the possible effect of the less than reliable electricity supply causing problems?
And as for drills - agreed - probably not Western standard - but they are often up against very hard woods of the type rarely encountered in the UK for example.
It does surprise me that no-one ever seems to mention Thai paint though. Again - maybe good quality paint is available now, and probably at a price too. But I've spit many a brick in the past while using Tao rubbish in it's utility colours! The problem is that you do actually get used to it in time, like most other things.

[crazy88]

A decent set of screwdrivers and an estwing hammer and as many unchipped i-phones or similar that you can get your hands on.

Crazy 88