The 2026 gift guide

This one will actually get used. It’s the gift of giving someone a genuine fighting chance at clearing that reading list. For those who have 47 browser tabs open that they’re totally going to read (narrator: they did not) and whose nightstand is a precarious tower of dust-collecting books. If you know someone living this life, you’ve got your gift sorted.

The Kindle genuinely saved me from this exact situation. It’s compact, with storage that holds anywhere from 2,000 to 15,000 books depending on the model. Which means no more ‘I don’t have space’ excuses.

The basic one now comes in this matcha green colour and has faster page turns. If they’re bougie about it, the Paperwhite has a bigger 7-inch screen, is waterproof (bathtub readers, unite!) and the warm light feature is a godsend for your eyes at night. And the Kindle Colorsoft model actually displays in full colour now: comics, cookbooks, graphic novels, all of it. 

The basic Kindle starts around B3,900, Paperwhite is about B5,700 and Colorsoft is B10,000. Not super cheap, but also not remortgage-your-house expensive.

Where to buy: In Thailand, you can easily look it up and order through third-party retailers online (with a Thai warranty!)

I haven’t seen anyone carrying an actual wallet as of late. These phone cases let you stash two to three cards, prop your phone up to watch videos hands free and protect your phone from concrete induced trauma all at once.

The market is flooded with options with fun patterns. Some have those classic leather vibes and even stack in with wireless charging.

These run anywhere from B500-3,000 depending on how fancy you go. The cheaper ones work fine; the pricier ones just have better leather and won’t fall apart after three months.

Where to buy: To feel them before buying, visit Casetify stands at Central Department Stores or EmSphere, or browse local phone accessory shops at MBK Centre or Platinum Fashion Mall for tons of options.

Legos have had a glow-up. We’re not talking about those basic brick sets from your childhood. Now there’s a whole Game Boy that actually looks like a Game Boy (complete with cartridges!), a Wall-E set, Star Trek’s Enterprise, architectural marvels like the Trevi Fountain and even Suki’s car from Fast and Furious in all its pink glory. 

Hot sets for 2025/2026 include the Nintendo Game Boy (around 1,400 pieces), the Tudor Corner modular building (3,231 pieces) and if they’re into Star Wars, literally anything from that line because it’s always peak.

Prices range wildly. Small sets start around B700-1,000, mid-tier goes B1,700-5,000 and the big impressive ones can hit 7,000-20,000. But these things hold value. People literally collect and resell them.

Where to buy: Official LEGO stores (Siam Paragon), LEGO.com (they ship to Thailand) or Toys R Us (CentralWorld, One Bangkok, ICONSIAM). Also check Brickmania Thailand for harder-to-find sets.

Funko Pops are those bobblehead-style vinyl figures of basically every pop culture character ever. Got a Marvel-obsessed boyfriend? There’s a Funko for that. Dad won’t stop quoting The Office? There’s a Dwight Schrute one.

Thailand’s cultural icons have gotten the Funko treatment a few times now. There's the Sawasdee Ronald McDonald doing his wai greeting, hands pressed together, very Thai. And then our temple giants, the ones standing guard at sacred entrances.

But if you really want to go all out, get them a custom Funko that actually looks like them. It’s weird, it’s borderline narcissistic, so it’s great! 

Standard Funko Pops go for B350-800 (limited editions cost more). Custom figurines run B2,000-5,000, depending on how much you want their miniature face to actually look like them.

Where to buy: Hit Toys R Us or look for custom options online. For something bespoke, search ‘custom 3D printed figurine Thailand’ or check Instagram for local studios like MakerCarl.

Self-care gifts are always thoughtful whether for yourself or others. Some people go months without treating themselves but this will make them actually book that appointment they’ve been putting off. 

Do a little detective work: find out where they usually go or where they’ve been eyeing. Call ahead and prepay for a service or grab a gift card if they offer one. In Bangkok, a decent salon haircut runs B500-1,500. Mani-pedis go for B500-2,000. 

Where to buy: Call the salon directly and arrange a gift certificate. Most places now do digital vouchers you can just text over (perfect for last-minute gifting!).

Food delivery went from occasional treat to way of life somewhere along the way. Food delivery premium subscriptions usually run B19-99/month and slash prices on delivery fees. Your gift basically pays for itself after a few uses – like, hello, why am I randomly getting free dinner.

For the truly committed delivery fans, some platforms offer VIP tiers with perks like priority delivery and dedicated support. To be real though, even the standard monthly subscriptions are affordable enough that you could gift someone a year’s worth. 

Where to buy: Most delivery platforms don’t allow direct subscription gifting, but you can buy credit vouchers or gift cards through their apps or websites.

Everyone wants to be a plant parent until they actually have to remember to water the thing. Succulents and snake plants survive the neglect that comes with busy city life. They need a drink only every two to three weeks, survive in low light and instantly make any space look more put together. Pop them in a cute pot and one’s suddenly a responsible adult… kind of.

Where to buy: Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok has amazing plant sections. Chatuchak Weekend Market is plant heaven. JJ Mall Green Zone also sells tons.

Not girly territory, this one’s for everyone. Thailand’s sun doesn’t discriminate and Thai sunscreens rise to meet it. Formulated for tropical humidity, many meet International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards for UV protection. They’re lightweight and don’t leave that zombie white cast.

Top-pick Thai brands: Mizumi UV Water Serum (super popular, hydrating, SPF 50+ PA++++), Srichand sunscreens (so gentle and lightweight), Cathy Doll Ultra Light Fluid (Thailand’s best-seller, the very brand the Kardashians use!) or Her Hyness (won best-selling for sensitive skin five years running). These all test at SPF 50+ with PA++++ rating, which is the gold standard.

Thai sunscreens are also crazy affordable. Most run B200–B500 for 50ml. Western brands can charge three times as much for sunscreens that weren’t built for this climate.

Where to buy: Pharmacies all over Thailand or online. If you’re buying for someone abroad, grab it at the airport duty-free section.

Bangkok’s air quality can be… let’s say, challenging. PM2.5 pollution during burning season (Feb-April) makes breathing feel like a competitive sport. An air purifier with a HEPA filter captures 99% of that nasty stuff plus viruses, bacteria and even that mystery smell you can’t quite place.

Top options include The Sqair by Smart Air (compact, affordable at B3,800, good for limited spaces), Xiaomi Air Purifier 4 Lite (budget friendly, app controlled) or, if they are fancy, Dyson Pure Cool (expensive but doubles as a fan). For dehumidifiers, look for ones that specify mould prevention, which is crucial in tropical humidity.

Basic air purifiers start around B2,000-3,000. Mid-range ones cost B5,000-8,000. Dyson and other premium brands run B10,000-30,000.

Where to buy: You can find these at major furniture and home stores in Bangkok for in-person shopping, as well as online through various retailers.

Everyone knows to grab Doi Tung’s macadamia nuts and coffee when they spot them. Reflex purchase. But the rugs, fashion and homewares that keep arriving collection after collection are the sleeper hits. Older gens go absolutely feral for this stuff, eyes witnessed. That instant recognition in their eyes, the way they reach out to touch the fabric.

But gifting someone a rug can sound about as exciting as gifting socks – until you see Doi Tung’s. They’re hand-woven by hill tribe artisans in northern Thailand using the same techniques their ancestors used generations back. The patterns are intricate, pulled from local culture, done with natural fibres and dyes that get better the longer you have them.

Cotton-wool blends are your go-to for something durable but still soft. Pure wool if you’re feeling fancy and want the living room to look expensive. Smaller ones work well in entryways or (and I’ve genuinely seen this pulled off) hung on walls like tapestries.

Prices start in the low hundreds, climbing into the thousands for bigger pieces.

Where to buy: For online browsing, hit Doi Tung’s Instagram. In Bangkok there are shops at Siam Discovery, Big C Extra Rama 4, Talat Bon Marche and Suvarnabhumi Airport for last-minute panic shopping before your flight.

If somehow you’re headed up to Chiang Rai while reading this, hit the Doi Tung Development Project and Royal Villa. You can watch people actually making this stuff, see everything, the whole nine yards. Your money goes straight to fair wages and training for the communities making it – actual impact, not corporate virtue signalling nonsense.

***Prices listed are approximate as of late 2025 and may vary by location and current promotions.