[obHQNsY2]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question.....


Have visited Phuket a couple of times.
Each time a very helpful chap by the name of Winai has acted as our driver and driven us a round, taken us to see everything we have wanted to see, and patiently waited in his car whilst my fiancé (and sometimes myself) indulged in massages, elephant rides, shopping, assorted beauty treatments, shows, dinners, etc, etc, etc, etc.

Now given that this fellow feeds his wife and child and pays his bills by being helpful to tourists, it is no surprise he is friendly and nice.
And of course we paid him well for his services.

Once whilst we were there, his car broke down, and rather then display the reaction he expected us tourists to display, I opened his bonnet, and with the aid of my Leatherman, some cable ties I happened to have, and some stuff from his boot, I fixed his car.

So in spite of the fact he is just a man trying to earn his living, and we were just one of many many tourist customers, we kind of became mates.
He asked endless questions about Australia, etc, and we in turn about his life, family and Thailand.
Have kind of kept in contact, exchanged a few emails, phone calls etc, once back in Australia.

So here is the point:
Would like to send something to him, or at least to his 11 year old son.

He hasn't asked, and I imagine he probably does ok financially driving tourists around, but never the less I think it would be a nice thing to do.

Now.
What to send?

Is there something that I could post from Australia that might be easy to obtain here, but expensive or not heard of in Thailand that might be appreciated?

Obviously, the quintessentially Australian stuff is no good.
If I send a jar of Vegimite, a box of Lamingtons, or TimTams this seemingly average Thai fellow with a wife and son won't know what to do with em, much less appreciate them.
Similarily, Blundstone boots probably arn't real smart in the Tropics, and a rabbit fur Akubra would be next to useless.

Suggestions?
Thoughts and comments?

[bobibnoxx]

A gift voucher would be best so that he can buy whatever he needs.

[boXGWf04]

A gift voucher would be best so that he can buy whatever he needs.

also known as 'money'

[obHQNsY2]

I guess I may be somewhat alone in thinking this, but a gift voucher or money was always the gift you settled on when you weren't able to think of a gift.

I suppose I was brought up to think giving a gift is giving a gift, giving money is, well, giving money.

Certainly becoming a more prevalent, common and accepted thing though.
Hmmmm.

[adverwork]

I was taught it's the thought that counts and there's no thought behind a gift voucher or money.

David

[obHQNsY2]

Ok, so here is what I am thinking.....


Shoes.... not because there aren't shoes in Thailand...
Its just that every single pair I bought there fell apart....
So, a decent pair of Australian made shoes for Winai (the driver) and his son.
Decent, as in the kind of shoes I would expect to last me 3 years.

And maybe a book or two on Australia, Australian wildlife???? with lots of photo's etc.

I guess I am thinking more of his son...
Its hard to generalise about what a young lad - I think he is about 11, would want.
The kind of things the local 11 year old here get up to and are into are so very different from me when I was 11.......
So kind a hard to imagine what an 11 year old Thai boy I have never met might think is cool. I'm just making a wild guess....

[adverwork]

I guess I am thinking more of his son...
Its hard to generalise about what a young lad - I think he is about 11, would want.
The kind of things the local 11 year old here get up to and are into are so very different from me when I was 11.......
So kind a hard to imagine what an 11 year old Thai boy I have never met might think is cool. I'm just making a wild guess....

My stepson is now 13, but he is Thai and I've known him since he was 9 years old, and whenever he knows I am coming to visit he always gets mum to ask me to bring chocolate. And when I'm there he only ever asks me for money to buy chocolate, crisps and biscuits.

Last year I took him a talking sausage (Peperami - it's a bit of an animal!) and he played with it everyday I was there for a month.

David

[BUMbaronos]

I've ever sent gifts over to my bf's hometown before, most of them are quite the same age as the son of your thai friend here. Most of the time, I'd send them the latest games (playstation) which have yet been released in Thailand. For his nieces, it's really easy to buy gifts for girls(barbies, dolls, bracelets, necklaces), as for boys, I have to ask what he lacks of or try to recall what are his hobbies(his hobbies are apparently, PC games/Playstation). It doesn't have to be something they don't sell in Thailand, just as long as it's something they WANT, they'll eventually feel grateful for that.

You're a man, I'm sure you remember what you used to love playing when you're a kid yea?

Cheers.

[NutChusty]

I've always liked quality at a relatively affordable price, of course you can get top Australian stuff at "R.M. Williams" but the prices are over the top, I personally would go to the "Rivers" on line shop http://www.rivers.com.au/Online_shop.htm and pick something you like, that's more affordable, Australian design and Quality and it can be shipped directly to his address.

[Emunsesoxmete]

you must have been darned unlucky with your shoes mate. I haven't had to buy a new pair of Bata sandals for 4 years, same for my mum and sis who bought theirs here.

[DexOnenlyCymn]

A Thai does not want a pair of shoes, if you did send them, in a week they would have lost the laces and stomped the counters down til they looked like those rear loaders that have laces but rear entry and no counters.

and money to a Thai is the gift that keeps on giving and it is the thought that counts, and they think a great deal of money.

[bobibnoxx]

If David thinks gift vouchers have no 'thoughts' behind it, then he can send 2 flower bouquets with very warm thoughts, one for the father and one for his son.

[lXwVlTgO]

Chocolate, Yelly Gums etc. are always very appreciated by kids.

Like Jas mentioned, Computer Games (Playstation etc.) are good.

What about a nice watch for the father, as in Thailand many fake watches.

Parfume for the mother; as Parfume is expensive in Thailand and there are many fake ones.

[adverwork]

Parfume for the mother; as Parfume is expensive in Thailand and there are many fake ones.

My wife enjoys perfume I take for her but always complains because she says she can get it much cheaper in Thailand. "Only 200 Baht, smell beautiful."

David

[vNQmO2BF]

Plez believed me >>>>I was an international student at JCU and QUT.
I lived with Aussie homestay and also the other thai students.From our observation,
Aussie people likely pround and presented Velgamite.
I asked my friends and found out more than 95% of thai do not like taste of it.

[vNQmO2BF]

Chocolate, Yelly Gums etc. are always very appreciated by kids.

Like Jas mentioned, Computer Games (Playstation etc.) are good.

What about a nice watch for the father, as in Thailand many fake watches.

Parfume for the mother; as Parfume is expensive in Thailand and there are many fake ones.

Do not get the wrong idea about things in thailand.
For kid,as whatever you wrote , I am totally agree with.
For father and mother, firstly , you should mention about what they are really need and your budget.

In thailand , we have either very cheap goods with or without quality or high end products.

Mention about different people has got different taste

He will not wear a nice watch while driving taxi, coz him get in trouble from robberies.

and I do not think perfume is a good idea for every female till you exactly know which one she really like it

From my individual experience, my boyfriend brought my a bottle of Dior No.5 as he thougth it was a very great smell. I only used it twice and gave it to grandma

Tips: 1.any person who usually use perfume know exactly which bottle or brand she /he like
2.Many people do not like using purfume

[bobibnoxx]

Nice watch? Maybe, he already has one.

Perfume? You think it is the best brand. But he thinks it is suitable to his grandma.

I insist that a gift voucher is the best. You decide it to suit your purse. He will decide which suits him best.

[Emunsesoxmete]

I don't think a gift voucher is an impersonal, inconsiderate present. I suppose they are not very rich, so probably better for them to decide what to buy, a big bag of rice or a new pair of shoes for the boy or a golden necklace for the wife or whatever. I think just add something small that's personal.
btw, Timtams are available in Tesco/BigC/ even in 7-eleven recently.

[obHQNsY2]

Thank you everyone for your comments and thoughts.

A box has now been posted. I hope Winai and his young son appreciate what has been sent.
Again, thank you.

[NutChusty]

Plez believed me >>>>I was an international student at JCU and QUT.
I lived with Aussie homestay and also the other thai students.From our observation,
Aussie people likely pround and presented Velgamite.
I asked my friends and found out more than 95% of thai do not like taste of it.

There are only 2 foods I will not eat because of taste and that is one of them. I'm not the only Australian to detest the taste of Vegemite.