Sustainable Souvenirs to Buy in Southeast Asia – No, Not Elephant Pants

Sustainable Souvenirs to Buy in Southeast Asia and Market Shopping Tips. Luang Prabang Puppet Souvenirs. Copyright © 2022 Terence Carter / Grantourismo.

Sustainable souvenirs to buy in Southeast Asia include anything that’s handmade and handcrafted, fair trade and ethically-produced rather than factory-made, and locally created rather than imported. Traditional crafts, art and artisanal wares, along with eco-friendly, pre-loved, recycled, and up-cycled things are all good sustainable choices. Elephant pants are not. There’s a reason I’m singling out … Read more

Shopping Mall Sugar Rush: Bangkok’s Sweet Spots

iBerry home-made ice cream, Siam Paragon, Bangkok. Bangkok's sweet spots. Copyright 2014 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

I will always choose savoury over sweet, spice over sugar. My ideal dessert is something like this traditional chocolate Catalan treat, because it includes salt and olive oil. I’ll eat – and I’ll enjoy – dessert when it comes at the end of a degustation menu and I’ll happily test out Terence’s chocolate experiments (like this … Read more

Bangkok Shopping Malls: Monsoon Havens & Modern Town Squares

Bangkok Shopping Malls: Monsoon Havens & Modern Town Squares. Loft, Siam Discovery Mall, Bangkok, Thailand. Copyright © 2023 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

The much-maligned shopping mall makes sense in steamy Bangkok, especially during monsoon season – just as it does in the oppressive heat of Dubai. Whereas the gritty streets of both cities offer few opportunities to escape the elements, air-conditioned shopping centres provide a respite from the humidity and, in Bangkok’s case in particular at this … Read more

Kicking Back in Bangkok: Talad Rot Fai, Weekend Train Market

Kicking Back in Bangkok: Talad Rot Fai, Weekend Train Market, Bangkok. Copyright © 2023 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

One of the best spots to spend a Saturday night in Bangkok at the moment is Talad Rot Fai – the Train Market – also known as Talad Dek Naew, after the vintage-wearing, retro-loving Thai hipsters who hang out here. We love Talad Rot Fai and can happily while away a few hours here on a … Read more

Bangkok Take-Homes – Homegrown Gifts from Thailand

Bangkok Take-Homes – Homegrown Gifts from Thailand. Bangkok Shopping Malls. Copyright © 2023 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

When it comes to shopping for souvenirs, Bangkok has some terrific shops where you can buy Thai made gifts. Most guidebooks will head you to budget shopping mall MBK or Jim Thompson for Thai Silk (which is stunning), but I also like to go to Chatuchak Markets and a handful of other shops where I know … Read more