Chiang Rai, BKK, and Souvenir tips (please)
 

Hi everyone

We are leaving for Cambodia (Phenom Pehn and Siem Reap) and Thailand (Phuket, Chiang Rai, and BKK) next Sat (Jan13)... your help has really meant a lot to us, and has taken all of the anxiety out of planning our first trip to SEA. Just a few questions remain...
Based on some of the recommendations, we have opted to go to Chiang Rai instead of Chiang Mai for our "northern exposure"... does anyone recommend any guides from there? All the other postings were for guides from Chiang Mai. Also, are there elephant camps in Chiang Rai, or only CM? Any must do-s that may may have overlooked in CR?
Additionally, I'm looking for suggestions for good, inexpensive souvenirs ($5-10 each) to bring back to co-workers (our group tradition)(ages.. late 20's, early 30's, about 10 to buy for).
Will 5 days in BKK be long enough to get a few suits made? We were debating between Raj and Monet il Sarto, or should we have one made in each shop? Will also get some jeans made, as I'm sure nothing will fit anymore after we hit all the delicious restaraunts Bob has suggested. :)
Thanks again for everything; we'll be sure to post our pictures/experiences when we return!!!

in cR area...doi tung the princess grandmother's former estate is a must stop....the opium museum opposite anantara hotel in chiang saen area is excellent and only about 3 years old...

monet is cheaper than raj but raj has superior quality...5 days is tight but doable...i would touch base with them in advance of arrival..

house wares--placemats, cousters, pillowcovers, etc....not much for men....ties....

silk items of all sorts for women also....t shirts esp the ones at jim thompson

Junejuly -- read a few of your other posts to try to see what might appeal -- seems you live in NY so many craft type things in Thailand would be available here too. I'm not sure what you mean by "good" -- if you're thinking "quality" item, then this list might not work. But if you're thinking fun, funky, conversation piece then: in Cambodia you can buy ceramic "opium pipes" shaped like various animals (actually, that might make the good section too, they're quite nice) -- they were all over the markets. Also the little silver snuff boxes shaped like animals. I brought back Angkor Wat mousemats and Swatch type watches -- no one had one of those in NY. Saw some interesting straw flower string lights in the market in BKK. Also, sachets carved out of loufahs to look like animals and dressed up in little outfits. This takes the totally weird award -- I got six elephants dressed like ballerinas. They are a hoot.
Have fun !!

Cambodia was full of cool inexpensive souvenirs:

1)Kramas, traditional colorful cotton checked scarfs worn by Cambodians men and women to protect themselves from the sun and the dust (but more appropriate for women than men at home.) I also saw them used as sashes, sarongs, baby carriers and pillow covers. They were $8 at the Victoria Angkor gift shop, (where they're advertised as the "classic" Cambodian souvenir) but I bought 5 for $12 at one of the stands next to the moat at Angkor Wat. And yesterday I saw a woman wearing a krama at an LA Philharmonic matinee. (Tip: If you do buy the kramas, air them out outside when you get home; some have a musty odor)

2) At the Siem Reap Airport - brightly colored mini palm-baskets filled with spices (chili powder, curry, white and black pepper) for $2-$5. Sold in sets or individually, they come with recipes. I bought several and am really sorry I didn't get more. You can also get jasmine incense, which they burn all over in Siem Reap, in the same sort of basket container.

3) Also in the Siem Reap airport in the same shop as the spices: really great placemats in various colors for $2.50 each or tiny sterling elephant-shaped containers for $3

3) On roadsides near Bantay Srei you can pick up incredibly delicious palm sugar candy wrapped in palm leaves - 3 for a dollar, each leaf holds about 10 candies.

5) Land mine victims CD - surprisingly good music and quality recording. (We met the land mine orchestra next to Bantay Srei.)

6) In the Chiang Rai night market: Black cotton t-shirts with Thai writing for 1500 baht. (Still unsure about what they say, though.)

7) Also at the Chiang Rai market:
White jade elastic bead bracelets - 3 for 1000 baht. Probably not real jade, but the bracelets look great once you get them home.

As far as a guide, if you're going to the Golden Triangle area, Doi is amazing. You can contact and book her through the Anantara, but I believe she works for an independent company.

gold and semi-precious stones are one of the best buys in thailand

Thank you all so much for your valued, considerate input!!!

There are some silk items that make nice inexpensive souvenirs--for example, sunglass cases and jewelry pouches. Also, in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai there are really cute bags/purses with embroidery made by the hill tribe women.