Sending books to Thailand
February 10, 2012 11:49 AM Subscribe
What's the cheapest way to send my friend in Thailand some books? I can either mail him my own books from the UK or order the books online and have them shipped to him.
My close friend who lives in Thailand would like me to send him some English-language novels. I have copies of the novels in question and would gladly send them to him, but that's going to be expensive (they're thick paperbacks, think Game of Thrones and fatter).
I started thinking that it might be cheaper to order them from somewhere instead. I could order from the UK or US Amazon, or from some as-yet-unknown supplier in Thailand or elsewhere in Asia. They could be new or second hand. Any ideas appreciated, thanks.
My close friend who lives in Thailand would like me to send him some English-language novels. I have copies of the novels in question and would gladly send them to him, but that's going to be expensive (they're thick paperbacks, think Game of Thrones and fatter).
I started thinking that it might be cheaper to order them from somewhere instead. I could order from the UK or US Amazon, or from some as-yet-unknown supplier in Thailand or elsewhere in Asia. They could be new or second hand. Any ideas appreciated, thanks.
Best answer: Well, I would look to use Book Depository rather than Amazon for new books as they have free international shipping (and pretty good prices - this link is their UK site, they have a US one too). Better World Books has some secondhand books as well as new, and has very cheap international shipping. Asia Books is an English language book chain in Thailand, but may not have what you are after. There are a couple of huge Kinokuniya (Thailand) bookstores in Bangkok and they also have online shopping.
posted by AnnaRat at 12:15 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by AnnaRat at 12:15 PM on February 10, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks, AnnaRat, that's amazing about the Book Depository. Do you happen to know whether there's any issue of people having to pay taxes or import duty or anything when the books arrive in Thailand?
posted by hazyjane at 12:29 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by hazyjane at 12:29 PM on February 10, 2012
Best answer: Hi Hazyjane - I got books delivered to Thailand (Koh Samui) from the Book Depository some months ago and had no problems. I ordered about ten I think and they arrived within a couple of weeks in two parcels - no issues with tax or anything else. I'd very likely use them again.
posted by mudkicker at 12:52 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by mudkicker at 12:52 PM on February 10, 2012
Best answer: When I lived there, I didn't have any issues with books coming in. I did once have to pay quite a bit for a set of 8 CDs that someone had sent me. I think anything valued over 1000 baht may be assessed for duty (but not necessarily - it is a bit unpredictable and I'm not sure if books are exempt).
posted by AnnaRat at 12:54 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by AnnaRat at 12:54 PM on February 10, 2012
Response by poster: Superb, looks like the Book Depository is definitely the way to go. Thanks, all!
posted by hazyjane at 12:59 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by hazyjane at 12:59 PM on February 10, 2012
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posted by purlgurly at 11:55 AM on February 10, 2012