My Go-To 7-Eleven in Thailand: A Treasure Trove of Essentials

I'm absolutely obsessed with 7-Eleven in Thailand. Every time I visit, I head straight to this store to grab the essentials for my vacation. I always pick up travel-sized toiletries like body wash, shampoo with conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, and deodorant. I manage to use them all up within two weeks – 7-Eleven sells them in mini formats, even anti-perspirant the size of my pinky. I always buy a lot and take them back home because it's super convenient to carry to the gym or in my bag.

I don't forget to grab a pack of laundry detergent. I wash my clothes and socks in the hotel. The detergent here is also compact – about the size of my palm.

I always return to Russia with a whole suitcase full of 'travel-sized cuties.' It's like a trial run, you know? If I like it, I buy the full-size version, and if not, I don't mind tossing it.

My favorite Hada Labo lotions, which I bring back home in droves every year For example, I always pick up different Hada Labo lotions and creams in travel formats of 30 milliliters: • HADA LABO hydrating lotion 125 THB / 350 RUB

• HADA LABO premium lotion 135 THB / 380 RUB

• HADA LABO aging care lotion 145 THB / 410 RUB

• HADA LABO premium whitening 135 THB / 380 RUB

• The blue bottle of premium lotion for skin with inflammation and breakouts is 125 THB / 350 RUB

The selection in each store is different. Some are packed to the brim, while others are almost bare. I picked up my stuff at the 7-Eleven right across from the Naklua Fish Market. It's a small store, but it's packed with some really interesting products.

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📍 Check out my review of the Naklua Fish Market, where you can find an incredible array of fresh seafood.

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🏃🏻‍♀️ LET'S GET MOVING AND EXPLORE THE AISLES!

💊 THE SUPPLEMENT AND ADDITIVE SECTION. Thailand's got a ton of 'beauty treats' to offer, including collagen in various flavors, plus all sorts of vitamins and supplements. To be honest, this is one thing I've yet to try. But I know the locals love these products and they fly off the shelves.

A whole shelf of collagen for any taste. What would you choose?💊 A Wellness Pocket. For years, my husband and I have been actively buying those Thai inhalers (the ones in green bottles). Inside them, there's a mesh with herbs that you inhale like an inhaler. They're great for when you have a stuffy nose and are perfect for people who don't use nasal spray, like my mom. I used them for a while to get rid of dizziness and even took them with me on trips when I got motion sickness. However, I soon realized that my whole bag and clothes were infused with this smell, and I started smelling like a Thai massage parlor (not the spa aromas, but a massage session for osteochondrosis) and got rid of all the bottles! 😆 Thai inhalers for colds and dizziness. Note that their scent may not appeal to those around youWhat I'd recommend buying from this shelf:• Body acne spray – if you have issues with breakouts and sweat. I sprayed it on my husband's back and it helped. • Hiruscar gel for scars – I used it on my scars after gallbladder removal surgery, even a year after the operation. The scars became much lighter. • Coconut oil in a small bottle – a universal remedy for any situation. I love using it to moisturize my heels and elbows. • Burnova gel –

krem s centelly, which helps with burns and other skin damage. It heals well, and also helps with dryness and hyperpigmentation.

I didn't see this one, but generally, 7-Eleven sells good motion sickness meds like Dramina and Dimen. The first one can cause drowsiness, while the second one is a great option. Definitely grab it if you're planning to travel to water islands.

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💊 MEDICINE CABINET FOR PROS. In the top left corner, there are packets of skolopendra. They're meant to ease throat pain and cough. I tried them, but didn't notice any effect, just like with Thai herbal mixtures. I prefer pharmacy meds. In Thailand, I usually buy Betadine for sore throats: I sprayed it – my eyes widened, but my throat was fine. If you like gentler treatment methods, this cabinet might be for you. I just walk past it.

I do like throat lozenges, though. They help well, but again, I'd choose Strepsils from the many options.

medicines for colds might be for you if you like treating yourself with herbal remedies and soft folk remediesBy the way, they're also promoting and loved by the Thais, Fa Talay Jon tablets. They boost the immune system, help fight viruses, and recover faster. Personally, I think they're fumigants and I try to avoid them.From everything listed, I'd only buy Antacil gel for heartburn – if it gets bad, and I don't have Nexium or Omeprazole on hand… Gaviscon, at the very least.

I was really looking forward to trying out the tooth care products here, but the Thai toothpowder in capsules didn't quite work for me - it was way too harsh on my teeth. I ended up using it to clean my sink, and to my surprise, it did a great job and lasted a long time (it rinses off really easily). On the other hand, I always pick up classic toothpaste when I travel, and I've got a soft spot for the lime-green paste on the right-hand side. I don't usually buy it to take home, though, since it takes up too much space in my luggage.

Definitely give the Thai toothpowder and toothpaste a try - I'm not sure if you'll like it, but it's definitely worth a shotOne thing that really stood out to me, though, was the huge selection of toothbrushes - they had an entire shelf dedicated to them. But this year, my search for a new toothbrush turned into a real challenge. Everywhere I looked, in this store and in other supermarkets and pharmacies, all I could find were toothbrushes with super-soft or very soft bristles. I ended up spending half the day searching for a medium-bristled one. Guess I'll have to bring my toothbrush with me on my next trip. DEODORANTS AND POWDERS. The deodorants were pretty straightforward, but the powders left me a bit confused. The Thais use these powders as face powder, and popular brands like Ponds are really popular. I tried them all out and sometimes used them as a substitute for face powder, but I still don't really get the product. Anyway, they've got powders for just about every occasion: underarms, face, and other body parts.

Deodorants in all sizes and powders to your taste I usually buy packs of 10 Nivea mini deodorants. You can spot them on the shelf, smaller than the full-size ones. This time, I picked up two anti-perspirants from a Thai brand. I'll give them a try and share my thoughts. The salesperson highly recommended these products, but it's weird to ask locals for their opinion on this, considering they hardly sweat. 😏 Unlike me.

SUN CARE AND SPF PROTECTION ON THE SHELF. Thais don't like dark skin and go to great lengths to protect themselves from the sun. So, it's hard to find something without SPF. Maybe that's a good thing, as it's easy to get sunburned even on cloudy, rainy days here.

In Thailand, using SPF products is a must. Make sure to get a lip balm with sun protection too. From what I've seen on the shelf, there's Citra sun cream. I didn't get burned, but it needs to be reapplied after every shower, as it gets washed off completely in water. On the plus side, it's not sticky and doesn't stain clothes – I applied it on my walks around town. Nivea lotions are also really pleasant. Honestly, I wanted to buy everything here, especially since the bottles are small, so I'd finish them before they expire. I also grabbed a lip balm with SPF, but I preferred another brand, not available in this store.

I'm really particular about my skincare routine, and I've tried a ton of different products. CLEANING MY FACE. FACE WASHES. MICELLAR WATER. Micellar water is pretty standard across most brands, so I won't go into too much detail there. I do love Ponds, Senka, and Dr.Montri face washes, though. I've tried a bunch of others, and they're all decent. I usually bring home a dozen or so different ones to try out.

I'm obsessed with Thai travel-sized face washes. I buy them all individually and they last me until my next trip. I'd recommend avoiding Hada Labo, though.Unfortunately, this store didn't have any of the travel-sized face washes I was looking for, but they're pretty common. I love the Hada Labo brand, but their face washes just didn't work for me. I've tried them a few times, but I always end up with those awful skin bumps. The last time I used them, I felt like my skin wasn't even clean, like there was still something left behind.xa0

MY SKINCARE COUNTER. I usually just pick up one or two new products at a time and give them a try. Like I said, I love Hada Labo's moisturizers and also enjoy Rojukiss and Ponds. Looking at the photos, I realize I completely overlooked Nisita – I didn't even pick up any of their products. What a shame.

I've got to say, I think every kid deserves some TLC. I'm buying just one at a time, and it lasts me a whole year. With brands like Garnier, L'Oréal, and Olay, I think it's clear what I'm talking about. But I've noticed that these products are different from the ones I've bought back home. For some reason, I see results after using them, unlike the ones I picked up in Moscow. It's a paradox: the Thai Nivea deodorant works wonders on me, while our own version doesn't, even though the packaging is identical. 🧼 FACE WASH AND BODY WASH. Any face wash here is great. I'm particularly fond of the green Shokubutsu body wash on the bottom shelf – it's got a lovely fresh scent and my skin feels silky smooth after using it.

You can safely pick any face wash you like – they're all equally good. 💄 THE COSMETICS SECTION. Everything's nicely organized in pouches, which is super convenient. The foundation's a standout – you can test it out on holiday and then buy the full-size version if you like it. I love buying aloe vera in these travel-sized packets; I once used it on a sunburn and it worked like a charm! Just make sure the packaging says 99% aloe vera or more.

Tone-on-tone products, including foundation and even mascara in palettes I've got to say, I'm a big fan of the foundation bases with SPF - I've tried almost all of them and haven't noticed a huge difference in quality: they're all pretty great. You can even find mascara and lip products in some palettes, and I've tried those too - they're all really good quality.

PALETTE WITH PADS. In Thailand, the pads have their own thing going on. Some people might love them, while others might not be a fan. Generally speaking, they're really long... ridiculously long. This applies to both day and night pads. Keep in mind that some packaging even lists the length as 35 centimeters!

Pads in Thailand are long and often have a 'chill' effect Be careful - some of them have a cooling effect. It's like when you put one on and it feels like you've sat on a cold rock. PALETTE WITH SAUCES. Thailand is basically a kingdom of different sauces. Each dish has its own unique flavor! Since we were in these parts for the seafood, we couldn't go without soy sauce. We just managed to get one bottle for our trip. We chose Kikkoman - a tried-and-true option.

I highly recommend bringing back some Thai sweet chili sauce for chicken. The best sauce is the one with the rooster on the label - it's a game-changer! I also love the oyster and fish sauces. Don't miss the green chili sauce for seafood on the bottom shelf - it's a must-try!

Tip: Before buying the sauce, make sure to check the label. Each package has a heat level indicator - use it to avoid any surprises. Thais love their spicy food!

a variety of sauces: fish, oyster, soy, chili, and moreAlthough the idea of bringing back sauces from another country might seem a bit questionable (especially since many of them are available on marketplaces), the pastes are a must-have. Unfortunately, I missed the pasta shelf and didn't get a photo, but I'll list my favorites: tom yum paste, tom kha paste, and pad thai paste. You'll be nostalgic for your favorite country when you cook them at home. They take up minimal space in your luggage and are lightweight. And the price will be ten times cheaper than back home.xa0

🍜 THE NOODLE SHELF. Thai 'doshirak' is a far cry from what we're used to. The flavors are incredibly diverse and too specific - they're hard to describe in words, as they're unlike anything else. If you don't like the taste of one pack, don't write it off just yet: try another one - it might be completely different. Just keep in mind that all the noodles here are spicy.

Thai noodles are seriously spicy, and the flavor is unlike anything I've ever had. 🌶️ THE CHIP FLAVOR BAR. This is where things get really interesting, even more so than with the noodles. What do you think of these flavors? Seafood seaweed, nori, spicy lobster, larb tod (a traditional Thai dish made with meatballs), chili shrimp – these are just a few of the options. But there are also some more traditional flavors. These chip flavors are definitely unusual, but they're super familiar if you're from Thailand. 🥛 THE MILK FLAVOR BAR. Thai milk and yogurt are seriously delicious. You'll even get a little spoon when you buy yogurt at the checkout, and a straw when you buy flavored milk. Don't be shy to ask if you forget!

When buying milk, keep an eye out for natural or soy milk. Natural milk in Thailand is super delicious!Be sure to check the labels, as a lot of dairy products are made from soy. Don't get it twisted! I highly recommend Dutchie yogurts - they've got huge chunks of delicious fruit. Even my husband, who's not usually into that sort of thing, loved them. I also suggest trying Meiji strawberry and banana milk. 🥪 BAKED GOODS. 7/11 has a few shelves dedicated to bread and sandwiches, plus a separate section for their in-house products. Most of them can be heated up at the counter for just 10 baht. I'm obsessed with their mini sausages in dough: they come in packets, either two big ones or loads of little ones. The dough is sweet - it's weird, but trust me, it's amazing. Highly recommend! You can ask to heat up sandwiches or buns at the counter In many of their stores, you can also ask the counter staff to cook up hot dogs or assemble a sandwich. 🍛 PREPARED FOOD.Food-wise, the selection is huge, and they heat it up super quickly. It costs 10 baht to warm up the food. We regularly bought rice with seafood we got from the market.

the food is always fresh. warming it up will cost 10 bahtThe booze selection is pretty sweet, with prices way lower than duty free. If you're looking to grab a Thai Hong Thong or Sang Som, Seven Eleven is one of the best places to get it.

alcohol sales are restricted from 11.00-14.00 and 17.00-24.00☝️ Don't forget that strong booze and beer aren't sold from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 24:00. Also, there's a ban on booze sales on holidays. You can grab a tourist SIM card or top up your existing one at the store. Some tourists have managed to find cards for 99 baht for 10 days or 199 baht for 30 days. There are rumors that the staff hide them from tourists, but the clever ones always find a way.

☕️ The coffee at the counter is amazing. The drink menu is pretty extensive, and the prices are relatively low. I've bought loads of different drinks, and I'm always satisfied. The cold Thai milk tea is a must-try!

The coffee shop menu in the store was a real treat - I fell in love with their Thai tea. The store had a great selection of ice cream and you could even find ice for drinks. Plus, the water was super affordable. They had a ton of useful stuff like stationery, luggage locks, Scotch tape, plastic wrap, bags, and disposable cups. It was basically everything you'd need for a trip. I was blown away by the massive selection of Coca-Cola flavors and other fizzy drinks. But, to be honest, the Thai juices didn't quite hit the spot for me. They were super watered down and tasted like they had artificial flavorings. My taste buds were a bit disappointed. Although, maybe it's just that they don't add sugar like we're used to?

A SMALL PART OF MY SHOPPING SPREE. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a sucker for cosmetics, and this time was no exception.

- Citra's SPF 50 sunscreen with watermelon- Nivea's micro bubbles face wash

- A popular Thai brand's face scrub

- Hada Labo's hydrating face cream- A face cream from a Thai brand with tamarind

I picked up a bunch of fabric conditioners with different scents to test and then order my favorite from Valberis. I also grabbed two big packs of Thai milk tea from different brands. Stay tuned for my thoughts on those. ☝🏻 7-Eleven often runs promotions where they give out stamps for every purchase! Don't throw them away – each stamp is worth one or three baht. You can use them to pay or save up and exchange them for some cool freebies. On my last trip, I accumulated 73 stamps, which let me get some awesome freebies worth 208 rubles. If I hadn't lost half of them, I would've gotten even more!

So, how was my shopping spree? You're already itching to visit Thailand, aren't you? By the way, this 7-Eleven chain is available all over Asia. Wishing you all happy travels!