Collecting

[PeteC]

We have any collectors out there who have been able to maintain their hobby once moving here? (Collecting girlfriends doesn't count )

I would imagine for those into coins and stamps this is fertile ground for regional items hard to get back in the home country. Buddha amulets and other local antiquities is another, but you really have to know what you're doing.

I've never been very formal, just shells from beaches everywhere and a lot of Baseball items all of which now sit in the US. I knew a girl from Japan once who collected sand. She had clear 35mm plastic film tubes with beach sand she had collected from all over the world.

Anyway, would be interesting to hear what people are into. Pete

[Nereus]

............I would imagine for those into coins and stamps ............

I guess that the only stamps being used now would have to be from overseas. In fact, I recently received a magazine from Australia that has a nice stamp on it. I saved it to show to my Granddaughter, and she is completly puzzled about just what it is! Most things, even from overseas, that get posted now have some machine printed strip on them, rather than a stamp.

[caller]

Although not yet in Thailand, I have an interest in and small collections of watches and art. I'm looking forward to continuing that when I get there.

[PeteC]

^ You will then need to visit Pattaya. You can buy a pirate replica of any brand watch on any street corner. Pete

[STEVE G]

Having spent the greater part of my life living out of bags, I've never had much opportunity to collect anything. I used to have a modest collection of first edition literature but I had to get rid of the majority of it back in the nineties when I sold my last house in the UK. The remains of it has been boxed up in my father's attic for the best part of twenty years but that is probably a better environment for books than the tropics.

[dozer]

I collect hats and caps, sports, military, cowboy, civil war, and over 300 baseball type caps, sports, vendors, manufacturers, institutions, theme,etc.

I also collect Die-cast models, Dinky, Matchbox, Corgi, UK and American trucks and construction vehicles and equipment.

[Siani]

From the age of 18 years old I have been an antiques dealer.
I did find however it really difficult to find antiques in Thailand when I was there. I went to Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, I found a few things, but nothing great. There was some really good items of jewellery, but quite a lot of rubbish.
In Hua Hin, Cicada Market was not too bad, there were bargains to be found there, some authentic stalls and I did make some purchases. A friend of mine who runs a café near Monkey mountain said he was going to try and sell collectables with his partner at his café. I am not sure if he is doing it now.
If collecting amulets, there is a shop in HH in the centre of town, cannot remember the Soi, but thought it to be expensive.

[PeteC]

Amulets are really in their own little world. Some are junk made in someone's garage, but others looking exactly the same, and original, go for millions of Baht in some cases. There used to be a weekly tabloid with photos in Thai which collectors/traders used as a buying guide. I assume it's still published but not sure where you can find it. You really need to partner with a knowledgeable Thai for this one. Pete