[QUOTE='tensity]Not knowing anything about shipping challenges and costs for Thailand, but, what about ordering your whey online in bulk rather than getting it in-country? There are several good online dealers. It may cost a bit up front but then you'd have a couple/few months' supply before needing more......[/QUOTE]
'tensity...thanks for the suggestion! I have infact ordered it online twice in the past (labrada nutrition, 30gm protein per 40 gm serving! Retail price - USD 40/ 3.3 lbs + freight. However, to minimize per unit cost, I normally order a lot of items together, in effect reducing freight). It is indeed almost 1/2 of the cost (even with freight included!!!!). However, customs in Thailand always create a huge problem because you are not allowed to import it and the labrada container is awefully huge to slip under the radar.
Apparently the reason given is that you need to register the goods with the Thai FDA and that these goods are already present on the Thai market and that is why the ban on further imports!
From my knowledge, there are about 4-5 brands available on the thai market and they are real crap besides costing a fortune! For example, the best that I have found is called "Thai Whey ", which retails for ~USD 40/ 2.0 lb and delivers 27 gms of protein per 40 gm serving. This barely lasts me 10-15 days and I can't afford USD 100/ every month on whey + all the extra foods and supplements required! This may not sound like that much money to you guys but you have to consider the cost of living and pay scale in Thailand (read on to better understand what I mean). The other ones available at GNC and other nutrition stores are even more expensive and delivers even less gms of protein per serving. (on a side note...there is actually, huge potential for business in the health and nutrional supplements market in Thailand, if anyone can find a way to reduce cost and selling price!!!! I wonder how much it would cost to make these things in India and China. Perhaps even the import duty may be worth it
For your comparision, a meal in one of the hawker centers (which can include chicken breast, some vegetables and rice) costs about USD 1.00 and a meal at McDonalds costs USD 2.20. My transportation costs for a day is about USD 3.00.....this should give you all a pretty reasonable picture of how expensive nutritional products are in comparision to living expenses and pay scales in Bangkok. So in effect, I could eat all I want for a little more than USD 150/ month!! The way I see it, no supplement can match that cost-effectiveness (perhaps I am wrong!)
Any suggestion would be highly appreciated...thanx a lot guys!