I've tried searching for ideas of what to bring back from Cambodia, but found little information. I've read many things about Thailand...

Any thoughts? I'll be shopping for my 21 year old daughter, my mother and mother-in-law...

I will be there also in Dec. and very interested to hear answers to this-have already planned on Artisans d'Angkor shopping.

I brought back about a dozen silk scarves that I bought in the market in the center of town, not very expensive, a couple of dollars each. I should have bought two dozen at least! We bought some polychromy at Artisans D'angkor and they are significantly tarnished (and were expensive). I bought two lovely silk/beaded evening bags in a shop next to the upscale french restaurant in town. I gave one away and use the other one alot.

I'm not a big shopper but I did buy quite a bit at a store in Siem Reap (right near the market) run for the benefit of landmine and polio victims.

Here is a link:
http://www.bigpond.com.kh/users/wthanchashop/

A few things I bought: fabric/batik purse and bag, glasses case, wooden cheese knives, xmas ornaments made from coconuts, etc.

Thanks! I want to make sure I allow enough room to bring things back...

Do you know what the name of the store was that sold the items that benefit the landmine victims? it doesn't really say on the web site...

I'm glad to see they had Christmas items listed. I try to bring back a Christmas ornament from each place we travel...which sometimes can be tricky! (Egypt last year...finally found one in Hurghada!)

I'm not sure of the precise name of the store, but if you ask around for the Cambodian Handicraft Association store or the landmine victims store I'm sure your guide or hotel could tell you. Siem Reap's "downtown" or shopping area is pretty compact.

You're right...I'm sure Ponheary will know. Thanks for the input.

If the scarves are THAT reasonable I may be in some serious shopping trouble!

Yup, Ponheary will know. She brought me there!
Did you see the product pricelist at the bottom of the website? Should get your shopping juices flowing.

http://www.bigpond.com.kh/users/wthanchashop/

I did...and I was positively giddy! I better not show that list to my husband before we leave...

silk...cotton...look at the mkt nitely on "farang way" in LP

Just want to say thanks for the info in this thread!
Liz

When I departed Siem Reap the year before last, I was able to purchase, in the airport shop, sets of spices in small & large baskets positioned 2 or 3 on a tray. The spices were black pepper, red pepper, red curry powder, cinnamon, and similar.

I think I need to take a larger extra bag! It sounds like the shopping is better is SR than it will be in Chiang Rai or Mai.

>>> It sounds like the shopping is better is SR than it will be in Chiang Rai or Mai.
<<<

No, it is the total opposite. Siem Riep is not some shoppers paradise, far from it. I bought a painting (on wood) from the school where they teach deaf girls to paint traditional pictures.

I also wouldn't call Siem Reap a shoppers paradise. Fun to browse, and you can find good souvenirs, but many of the things for sale were available and priced better in Thailand.

Artisians D'Ankor is good for getting quality carvings and there are a few other similar shops. The old market is fun to browse, but much of the stuff there is not as marked; "silk" shawls and scarves, "antique" wood and metal sculptures, etc. Unless you know your stuff, assume everything is fake and haggle accordingly.

Chang Mai, Thailand is the shopper's paradise. I bought a dining room set in carved teak (which was priced with shipping back to the states), tons of silk (much better than Jim Thompson in Bangkok) and various things from night market. Also, weekend market in Bangkok is a great source for reasonable items. In addition, bought carvings from Artisans d'Angkor in Siem Reap. Bought lots 0f silk scarves from market in SR. Lots of options everywhere!!!!! Have fun!!!!!!

I am in SO much trouble!!!My husband's going to leave me behind!

Leave your husband behind....you can use the extra baggage allowance!

When you shop @ Artisans d'Angkor or the landmine victim's shop the money is going to the charities that fund these training schools to help develp traditional Khmer culture & to keep families from going hungry or their kids from being sold to pedophiles. The child sex trade in Cambodia is illegal but huge. In addition to the Old Market, there is the New Market, which is where the locals shop. The Old Market is for tourists.

Most of the gems sold in Thailand are smuggled in from Burma & go to support the Myanmar dictatorship. Human rights groups are asking tourists not to buy gems in Thailand... BBC World News & CNN have run reports on it. The military junta in Myanmar owns all the mines & forced labor & child labor is quite common.

We bought a lot of small items, like lovely soaps, small silver boxes and silver card holders, scarves and shawls, placemats. We splurged on a gorgeous silk patchwork bedcover from Artisans.