Unique Souvenirs to Remember Thailand By

Shopping and traveling go together, right?

For a lot of people, a trip is synonymous to making some purchases so that they can bring tangible memories back home. After all, a trip is supposed to be about good times, and more often than not, we want something to remember those times.

Thailand is a country that will definitely give you the time of your life. No matter what your preferences may be, there is something for you: from nightlife to food to culture to nature.

And yes, there is a lot of shopping that can be done as well. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against shopping for souvenirs. However, I think that souvenirs can come in forms other than that of cheap trinkets. These "alternative" souvenirs from Thailand is what this hub is all about.

Food items as souvenirs are not so unique, are they?

It depends on what you buy, really, and I have to say that my visit to Bangkok provided me with the opportunity to try out some of the most unique food items that I have ever tried. And I loved them!

Shown in the picture is tamarind candy of the hot variety. Tamarind is a fruit that has a sweet and sour taste, and this candy plays on that. The addition of chili and salt takes the candy to a different level. One that you won't get enough of.

Other interesting food items you can take home with you:

• Thai durian candy. Durian has gained a reputation for its really strong odor and many airports will not allow the fresh fruit. The candied version, however, does not fall under such restrictions and is a yummy snack.
• Instant Thai noodles. How about an instant bowl of tom yam noodles? You can have that wherever you are if you bring home these noodles you can find at any Thai grocery store.
• Thai seasonings. You will not lack for choices when it comes to Thai seasonings. Any market or grocery store will give you what you want.
• Thai coffee. Vietnamese coffee may be more popular, but Thai coffee will wake you up in the morning. I think that the coffee I brought home from Thailand is one of the strongest I have ever tried!

There is an overload of handicrafts in Thailand - as is the case in many tourist-centered countries. The trick is to find those which are not so common so that you do not end up with a cheap trinket that you will never use or appreciate.

I didn't really buy a lot of this type of souvenir during my trip, but what I did buy, I appreciate to this day. Here are some good ideas.

• Wooden carvings. I got a little wooden dragon polished to a shiny black. You can find a wide range of designs depending on your preference, and the quality is usually good that you will not mind displaying them at home.
• Masks. Whether you want to wear one at a masquerade party, or you simply want to hang them on your wall, the masks you can find at the markets are a sight for sore eyes.
• Paintings. Shipping is not as difficult as you may think. They're used to selling artwork to tourists so they will pack your purchases for you so they stay safe in transit.

What are the intangibles?

If you think about it, souvenirs are usually items that you can actually touch and see. There is another route to take, however, which will give you just as much pleasure. Maybe even more. I am talking about skills and knowledge.

How about learning how to cook Thai food? Instead of merely looking at the pictures of the mouthwatering food that you had every day in Thailand, why not make your own at home? You can take cooking classes in practically any major Thai city, and when you go back to the real world, you can create your own delectable dishes.

Then there's learning the Thai language. If you're really into the culture, learning the language is one of the best things that you can do. The next time you go back for a visit, you just might be speaking Thai like a local.

You can also learn how to do Thai massage. This might take a little more effort and time, but in my book, nothing beats a good massage at the end of a long day.