BANGKOK -- Japanese sweets are becoming increasingly popular in Thailand as more Thai people have firsthand experience in Japan and social networks spread information quickly and easily.
"My daughter is a huge fan of Shiroi Koibito," said Chaluchorn Sukvirasthanon at a special sales event featuring Japanese confectionery at a department store in central Bangkok. The event runs from late April to mid-May. "Since this is a rare opportunity to buy it without going to Japan, I splurged on two packs," she said excitedly. Shiroi Koibito is a well-known Japanese cookie from Hokkaido, the northernmost island. A pack of 18 cookies, made and sold by Ishiya, is priced at 840 baht ($23.8), more than double the price in Japan. But that did not make her think twice.
