I am from England and I am spending a week in Thailand with a Thai family for an authentic experience. I want to give them a gift as they are kind enough to let me stay with them. But I have no idea what to give as a present because of the difference in culture. Please help!
2007-04-11 10:54:49 · 19 answers · asked by Lloyd R 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
I am from Thailand. I think giving money would be an insult to your Thai host. A gift like toys or clothes is more appropriate. Money is probably the last on my gift list.
2007-04-11 12:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
maibok is right. DO NOT give money. This makes them "lose face" and implying that they are so poor they need charity. People in Thailand are not all poor and destitute. A lot of people DO live a modern life as well.
IF you know they have children - toys will be good. Something from your country that would otherwise not be available is good. Remember that most things from overseas are avaialble in Thailand, so think of something that an average Thai won't get. Customary gift usually involved fruits but of course you can not brnig this into the country. Any souvenir item from England as a momento is appropriate.
Some suggestions: box of good chocolate or toffee, confectionery, wine, small household decorative item, small dolls of traditional english costume. Think of someting a tourist to England would buy.
Hope this help you with some idea
2007-04-11 12:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Thai and Buddhist tradition, offering money is considered as an insult to the host. However, if the family you will stay with are poor or have fewer resources, you could just buy some groceries for the household, which they will surely appreciate. You can take a look around the kitchen to see what they need but most probably it will be a bag of Thai jasmine rice, dried fish, various kinds of sauces, spices etc, which are pretty inexpensive in Thailand.
Since you wish to take them a gift as well, suggest you take something typically English. For example, there are excellent souvenirs of London that are available for foreign tourists. A couple of these souvenirs, English biscuits and any other food that will not perish during your journey.
2007-04-11 18:56:04 · answer #3 · answered by papars 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Billy J - have you been to Thailand? That would be an insult.
The answer depends on what sort of family is it you are staying with? Rich, poor, middle class, in the country, in the city......?
There are very rich people in thailand as well as poor. Do some discrete research first. Do they have kids? How old?
Possible gifts could range from
football souvenirs for boys
western whisky for dad
paying for a meal in a resturant
perfume for mum
sweets ( Kanom in Thai)
If possible something that is not available in Thailand so they can show their friends, colleagues and say this is from.....
2007-04-12 09:05:21 · answer #4 · answered by ultras67 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Thais are typically curious about foreigners and things from overseas. Import tax is quite high, so most Thais are familiar with local products.
They will be curious about your country. If you can bring them something that is unique to England, it will be nice. Souvenirs like baseball cap with England logo, typical English cured ham, home-made jams and such, simple English story books, etc. I hope you get my drift. These are what will appeal to them. You can try having a set of your currency for them too if you like. Maybe a coin set as souvenir for the kids.
Also, when you get to Thailand, buy a fruit basket for the family. A bottle of whisky during meals will also be appreciated. Meal time is a socialising time for most families.
If you like to contribute some money, do it indirectly, like offering to pay for marketing / grocery shopping as your contribution for your stay. Not outright cash. This should do too.
I guess you will be doing some visiting while you are there, just bring back some interesting souvenirs for the family once in a while. Won't go wrong there too.
Over all, stay with a smile on your face all the time and as you say you are there for an authentic experience, remember not to say no to anything they offer you. Even if you do not think you may not like something, like certain food, just accept and eat a bit rather than reject outright. The family will try to make you feel welcome as much as they can, so they will be watching you quite closely to ensure that they do not upset you in any way. This is typical Thai hospitality for their guest, so, smile through your stay please.
2007-04-11 16:01:57 · answer #5 · answered by peanutz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending where the family live will decide what to buy. If they live in a big city they more or less have access to most Western things. If they live in a rural area get good quality parfume for the women get a bottle of cheap whiskey for the men and sweets for the kids. Also money is always appreciated everywhere. Put it in a envelope and give individually. You'll proberly find that the present you've bought them you could have bought cheaper here in Thailand anyway. If you have any old clothes that no longer fit these will also make a good presents. Take no notice of the idiots saying "do not give money as Thais will lose face". Bulls**t, money is greatly appreciated. Beware of getting ripped off. Thais don't seem to lose face when they do this to Farangs, it seems to be a national pastime.
2007-04-11 16:48:59 · answer #6 · answered by Pragmatic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Common Billy. Most Thais live above poverty line. All of them have sufficient intake of nutrition and if the family can take on a British person for holiday staying, they should be well off. I've seen more Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini in Sukhumvit road more than around Park lane!
A token of your thought represent something that England is famous for would be a good gift to a Thai family. Generally, if you ask me, a model of London bus or anything inexpensive that England is original for will do just fine.
2007-04-12 15:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by Titan 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A very very good family place, Spend a couple of days in Bangkok to see the brilliant temples. Then take a stroll around the Nana area. on soi 4 off Sukhumvit road in the afternoon. Most amazing street scene. sit at one of the bars and have a cola. Spend a few days on the islands like Koh Sumuie. ( Phuket is the most expensive place in Thailand ) Head up north on the overnight train. 2nd class is fine no aircon just fans but good. Around Chaing Mai go for an Elephant ride in the jungle in the mountains.
2016-05-17 22:14:05 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giving money is certainly an insult to Thai, you'd better find some souvenirs such as picture of your country (or anything related to your home) they can put on the wall or something they can put on the shelf (dolls, etc.) or soccer T-shirt.
"Treat your guests and let them feel at home" That's what the Thai culture is no matter who you are and where you come from. If they welcome to your home then they will try their best to make you feel at home without expectation for anything in return. Small souvenir would be enough to express your gratitude.
Welcome to Thailand.
2007-04-11 15:32:41 · answer #9 · answered by Jet 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should take them out to dinner or cook a nice meal by yourself. It could be Thai food or your original English food.
Thais love to eat and that way, they can try something new, too.
(Thai food cooked by 'farang') =) Ask them first if they're OK with that. Make it a farewell party, if you could.
Or enlarge pictures of you and the whole family, put them in nice frames for them to hang in their house.
When you went back, you should send them Thank you card (write some Thais if you could), and call occasionally.
I hope you have a great time staying in Thailand.
=)
2007-04-11 16:29:29 · answer #10 · answered by SARA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋