Hi!
I am leaving next Monday for Samui -BKK and Chiang Mai and although it's forecasted to be super muggy and cloudy I am soooo looking forward to it.
I was wondering if it's appropriate to brings gifts from home to give the staf the way we do when going to the Carribean...if so do you have suggestions of what is most appreciated...or is $$$$, the universal thank you gift, best?

When we were in Manila this year we gave the staff hershey bars- they went nuts over these.

I have often brought small gifts for staff but I still give money as well.

Yes, chocolate is an excellent gift. It always goes over really BIG with everyone! I buy a few boxes of Godiva and share them with friends. I also left a box for the maid who cleaned my apt each day. They do not spend their money on chocolate in BKK.
Carol

Take note that you oftern do not have to buy the expensive candy to make a hit with the staff ( and yes we tip in $ as well). Many times its the simple things we take for granted here that is in demand over there- i.e. hersheys, kit kat, nestle crunch, etc.

they need money...if you know the staff from previous visits i think they might appreciate something native to your home, plus money...but $$ is the primary...

Without wishing to upset the flow of chocolate, Hershey's, Kit Kat, Nestle Crunch are all readily available cheap in local 7-11's. There are few things 'not' available in Thailand.

Cash is the best, always appreciated.

My comments applied to our trip to Manila where such things are available but expensive.

It's true you don't have to buy the really good chocolate. Hersheys kisses would also be a big hit.

And yes, $$$ also. We (our group) are good tippers.

Carol

Yes hersey's kisses are a big hit in Manila. I am able to get these at rediculously low prices here- so we bring a lot on our trips and hand them out to everyone. On our last trip I brought candy canes that I bought here for a penny a piece - these are not the small ones but the regular size you hand on the Xmass tree. I then handed them out to the poor children that we came across in our travels. It lit up their day!

bill---you are famous for your kisses...i heard some people from manila talk about you just yesterday:
"here he comes again with those damn kisses or whatever, hasn't he heard that we are poor and need money??"

Bob
I'm laughing out loud though my neck/shoulders hurt just a little bit... This too shall pass.

Lest we forget:
Another favorite gift is for the staff back in the USA. One of our group members brought back a bunch of cell phone bags for his staff back at work in Chicago. They loved them! Another one of the guys will buy a half dozen or so on this upcoming trip for his female co-workers. When I was teaching, I would bring back little things for my closest fellow faculty members and they always appreciated it. For the students, it was things the group would appreciate together.

Carol

I do that too- bring back little gifts for my co-workers and those that I rely upon for key services. Now lets be clear- I tip in $$$ but I give- in addition- these candy gifts.

bill---i got a squished kiss in the mail today ---was it from you? or a secret admirer??

Bob that was probably sent by the manager at the BKK Marriott. By this time they should have named a wing after you and given you and your wife lifetime free access to the hotel!