What to buy in Bangkok for Malaysians: Travel guide for snacks, souvenirs and more

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Travelling to the Land of Smiles and wondering what to buy in Bangkok? There are plenty of unique souvenirs and must-buys in Bangkok, and this guide will cover what you should look out for.

We’ll go through all you need to know, from what to buy in Bangkok for ladies and guys, to what to buy as souvenirs. We’ll also touch on the Wise card and how you can use it to save money when shopping in Bangkok.

What to buy in Bangkok for ladies

Bangkok can be a shopping heaven for ladies, especially when it comes to clothes, beauty products and makeup. Whether it’s unique Thai brands or exquisite Thai silk, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Ladies’ clothes and accessories

Not sure what to buy in Bangkok when it comes to ladies clothes? There are a wide variety of brands and clothes, ranging from affordable to high-end. If you’re looking for affordable clothes, The Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunum is the place to be. You’ll be able to find affordable pieces, and some stores even give discounts if you purchase multiple pieces.

There are also plenty of upscale local Thai brands such as Aimer, Blackdog BKK and Landmeé, which are beloved by celebrities like K-Pop stars Lisa and Jennie. You’ll be able to find these brands in shopping malls such as CentralWorld, Central Embassy and Siam Paragon.

If you’re looking for a unique piece, perhaps consider purchasing something made out of Thai silk. Jim Thompson is one of the better known silk retailers in Thailand, and the brand has a few stores in locations like Siam Paragon, Icon Siam and more. A 100% silk scarf can cost as little as 2,900 THB (around 380 MYR)¹, which is a good deal if you compare it to silk-cotton blend scarves from Malaysia which can cost around 365 MYR².

Beauty products and makeup

As for beauty products and makeup, you’ll easily save money on any foreign brand that you’re looking to purchase. For example, if you’re stocking up on face masks, the Garnier Bright Complete Anti-Acne Mask can cost around as little as 69 THB (around 9.03 MYR)³ while the same face mask costs 11.90 MYR in Malaysia⁴.

If you’re looking to purchase local Thai brands, you get even more bang for your buck. Such brands include Mistine, which is hugely popular in China for the company’s range of sunscreens, while Srichand is another brand that Thai people know and love for the brand’s powder foundations.

4U2 is popular for their lipstick range, and the 4U2 Tattoo Tint retails at 159 THB (around 20.80 MYR)⁵, which is a decent discount from the usual retail price of 35.90 MYR in Malaysia⁶.

What to buy in Bangkok for guys

Guys, don’t feel left out. There are plenty of options for you as well, whether it’s getting a sleek suit tailored or checking out casual wear at affordable prices. Here are some options if you’re wondering what to buy in Bangkok for guys.

Formal menswear

Thailand is famous for having great tailors, as well as tailors who can turn around a suit quickly enough for tourists. Getting a suit rushed out doesn’t always produce favourable results, but thankfully, tailors are also able to send suits overseas once done. If you’re in Bangkok for a longer period like a week or two, it might be worth seeing if you can get a suit made, since it might save you a fair bit of money.

Popular destinations include Pinky Tailor, Empire Tailor and Patrick and Co. Prices do vary considerably, since it’s dependent on what types of fabric is chosen as well as other factors. The general rule of thumb is that suits start at around 15,000 THB (around 1,962 MYR), with similar prices seen at both Pinky Tailor⁷ and Patrick and Co⁸.

Of course, there are cheaper tailors around, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

Don’t need a suit? These tailors can easily get shirts and pants done as well, and prices for shirts start around 1,500 THB (around 196.21 MYR).

Casual apparel

There are so many microbrands in Thailand that it can be hard to recommend just a few. Walking around Chatuchak market or Terminal 21 Asoke will unveil a whole treasure trove of affordable, local Thai brands with great designs. Some brands to keep an eye out for are Greyhound, Rudedog and Leisure Projects BKK.

Greyhound is a more upscale brand with fashion-forward designs, but if you’re just looking for casual printed t-shirts and the like, Leisure Projects BKK offers cool pieces at affordable prices.

Bangkok must buy souvenirs

Closet already bursting at the seams? That’s fine, because there’s more than just clothes to shop for in Bangkok. Here are some must buy souvenirs when you’re visiting Bangkok, whether it's snacks to share amongst colleagues or decorations for your home.

Thai snacks

If you’re a big fan of snacks, Thailand has you covered. First, how can we not mention the ever-popular dried mango? Thailand is known for its fruits and while it can be tricky bringing fresh fruit back to Malaysia, the dried version is infinitely more portable and convenient.

Large bags of dried mangos, freeze-dried mangosteens and even durian chunks can be found in convenience stores and big supermarket chains like Big C, so you won’t have to worry about not being able to find them.

If dried fruit isn’t your thing, how about some delicious biscuit rolls filled with coconut cream or pork floss sticks?

You could also opt for some MAMA cup noodles, especially if you can spot unique flavours that can’t be easily found outside of Thailand! Interesting flavours include green curry chicken, spicy basil and pad kee mao (drunken noodles).

Traditional Thai handicraft

Wooden carvings, yadom (not handicraft, but traditional and can go for workshops to make your own), Benjarong porcelain

If you’re looking for something a little more permanent, how about traditional Thai handicrafts that can be displayed? Wooden carvings are easily found all over Bangkok, whether it’s small statues of the traditional elephant, keychains or even larger pieces like wall clocks or art pieces depicting famous scenes in Thai history or mythology.

Benjarong porcelain is another great option, if you’re confident you can bring it back to your home country safely. This traditional Thai porcelain is hand-painted with intricate designs and vibrant colours, which will make it an eye-catching statement piece.

Want to do something a little more fun and leave with both great memories and a souvenir? While you can always buy the traditional yadom nose inhaler, there are also workshops that offer the opportunity for you to make your own.

Save more when you shop in Bangkok when you stretch your MYR to THB spending using the Wise card

There’s so much to see and do in Bangkok, but you won’t have to worry about paying more than you have to as long as you spend with Wise. With a Wise account, you can hold and convert between 40+ currencies and spend it in over 150+ countries.

You can order a linked Wise card before flying as well - simply top up your account with MYR and use the card to make payments in THB so you don’t get hit with unreasonable currency conversion fees. There’s automatic conversion between currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, with low, transparent fees⁹. If you prefer, you can also convert in advance when it’s at your desired exchange rate so you can manage your THB and card spending all through the Wise app.

Need cash on hand? You’ll be able to get 2 free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR with the Wise card, so you’ll be able to visit markets, restaurants, and shops while always having a way to pay.

For cheap and convenient foreign currency spending in Bangkok and beyond.

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1. Jim Thompson
2. Batik Boutique
3. Big C Thailand
4. Guardian Malaysia
5. 4U2 Thailand
6. Guardian Malaysia
7. Pinky Tailor
8. Patrick and Co
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