what to bring as presents for the Thais?

[elem]

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)

[Guess]

Cash

[elem]

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

[Jaime]

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.

[PeteC]

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. Pete

[PeteC]

It is not the thought that counts but the value. Simple as that.

LMAO X 1000....look at my post Jaime, made 2 minutes after your's. Good night Stan...good night Oly.

I still think something nice, wrapped up and presented is good too. Pete

[DawnHRD]

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

[lomuamart]

Education.

[Jaime]

Good night Stan...good night Oly.

*In indignant Oliver Hardy tone*: "It's-the-thought-that-counts!... Hmmph!" *Flaps tie and walks away*

[PeteC]

Good night Stan...good night Oly.

*In indignant Oliver Hardy tone*: "It's-the-thought-that-counts!... Hmmph!" *Flaps tie and walks away*:P

I'm only 88 kilos at present Oly. Stan

[STEVE G]

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

[Toni]

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]

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]

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

[elem]

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