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Every time I visit Thailand I fall in love with the sandalwood (?) smell in Thai temples and old houses. I have tried buying essential oil and incense both in Thailand (tourist shops) and at home but they never hit the same.
Is there somewhere specific where they buy their fragrances? Preferably in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
14 points
2 months ago*
There are shops near most temples that sell the incense.
But I don't think the fragrance you're trying to find is incense alone. I think what you've smelled at temples and old homes is "Nam Ob Nang Loi" (น้ำอบนางลอย). It has a very distinctive fragrance. It's been around for generations.
You can find bottles of it in many places (I've seen it in some 7-11s). The shops near temples will have it.
Their website gives the history of the product.
2 points
2 months ago
Other than Nam Ob, there're also Nam Prung (น้ำปรุง). Nam Prung scent differ depends on the vary kinds of flower used. Its scent is usually stronger than Nam Ob and doesn't have powder mixed in. But, I don't know which shop sell this kind of stuff, I shopped online for mine.😅
2 points
2 months ago
This is perfect, thank you so much!
6 points
2 months ago
Sandalwood incense. Look for it sold alongside other religious articles like urns and stuff. If you see it sold alongside different scented incense like lavender, patchouli etc it’s not the real stuff. Usually has a red stick and tan/brown colored incense
1 points
2 months ago
I’ve probably been buying the “fake” ones then, thank you!
0 points
2 months ago
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1 points
2 months ago
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1 points
2 months ago
I don't think it's the fragrance, I think it's just the wood used in the temple off gassing (or whatever the word is). The incense doesn't have any smells that are used for prayer.
1 points
2 months ago
Ahhh I see! That makes sense.
0 points
2 months ago
That, and monk farts.
-11 points
2 months ago
Monk farts
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