Shopping in Koh Samui
From market
stalls piled high with fake watches and sportswear to
upmarket antique shops, Samui has something to satisfy most
shoppers. Bargain hard for market stall purchases - be
friendly but unafraid to walk away if you don't like the
price. Most enclosed shops have fixed prices.
Antiques & Furniture
Be careful if you're here to buy genuine antiques. There is
a thriving industry that produces top-quality reproductions.
These objects can be beautiful and are good buys in their
own right… provided they are sold at copy prices. Well worth
checking out for high quality furniture is the recently
opened Java Teak on Route 4169. Tel. 077 447 249.
Books
For a comprehensive selection of new books and all the
latest mags, go to Bookazine, opposite McDonald's in central
Chaweng. Tel 077 413 616. There are also numerous
second-hand bookshops around the island. By far the best is
Nathon Books on the same road as the pier.
Discs
The discs at market stalls are obviously pirated, but the
quality of CDs can nevertheless be pretty good. DVD's are a
bit more hit and miss - a bad soundtrack can frequently
render them unwatchable, so ask for a demo if possible.
Older films tend to be of higher quality. Games and software
should also be treated with caution. Expect to pay from
100-200 baht per disc.
Jewellery
Most of the world's gemstones are sent to Bangkok for
cutting and setting, and the prices in Thailand can be
considerably lower than elsewhere. Local gold and gemstone
jewellery can be a bargain. But beware of unscrupulous
dealers who prey on ill-informed customers - every year, the
Tourism Authority of Thailand fields over 1,000 complaints
about jewellery scams. It's best therefore to stick to
established shops such as Classic Gems, Tel. 077 230479. For
top-quality silverware, check out Farn Shop next to the Big
Buddha Wat, Tel. 077 245 245.
Optical Services
Designer frames and contact lenses are excellent value on
Samui. Professional eye examinations, contact lenses, Ray
Bans, Oakleys and the latest ultra-thin Japanese lenses are
available at Sawang Optical. Tel. 077 230 720, on Chaweng
Beach Road.
Beautiful Optical in Chaweng, Tel. 077 230 052, and Nathon,
Tel. 077 236 362 stocks a good range of frames, as does Top
Charoen Optical at its various branches: Chaweng, next to
Pizza Hut, Tel. 077 413 706, and also in front of Chaweng
Cove Resortel; Nathon, Tel. 077 420 442; and Lamai next to
Weekender Beach Resort. Market stall fakes give no UV
protection, despite stickers to the contrary.
Sportswear and Surfware
Adidas gear is made under licence in Thailand and is
considerably cheaper than in the West. Similarly, Nike and
Reebok also have factories here making clothes and trainers
mainly for export, so products crop up in sports shops and
occasionally on market stalls. If you want guaranteed
authenticity then stick to sports shops, although the copies
widely available on market stalls are often pretty good
quality. Real surfwear is available at Hardcore Surf in
central Chaweng (next door to McDonald's). All the usual
suspects such as Quicksilver, Roxy, Surfer Girl, Rip Curl,
Oakley and Fresh Jive are for sale.
Swimwear
Life's a Beach specialises in the finest Australian bikinis.
Brand names include Seafolly, Wahine, Wet Wet Wet, and
Bodypaint. Sizes vary from 6 through to 18 and many are
reversible. Bags are by Condura, Australia. (Opposite
Central Samui Beach Resort between Osteria restaurant and
the Rock Pub. 11am - 11pm).
Tailoring
Samui offers a great deal of choice when it comes to bespoke
clothing. Try to leave enough time for at least two
fittings. It's always worth negotiating on price if you want
several items, and don't be afraid to ask for alterations if
dissatisfied.
Thai Silk
Thailand's famous silk remains a perennial take-home
favourite. Samui's tailors and fabric shops can provide a
wide variety of different colours, designs and quality. It's
much cheaper than in the West, but don't be tempted by
incredible bargains, especially at market stalls - even if
the label does claim 100% silk.
Woodcarvings and Ceramics
Carvings and ceramics are widely available at market stalls
in Samui. Much of it originates in the craft centres of
Chiang Mai, and although the standard of workmanship is
variable, it can be high quality. For coconut-wood carvings
unique to Samui, check out the stalls at Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai.
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Koh Samui in Thailand is well known for its natural
waterfalls, artistically sculpted and colorful
Buddhist temples, interesting animal shows,
beautiful beaches with adventurous water sports..
These attractions obviously allure tourists to Koh
Samui. If you to wish to have a wonderful vacation
at
Koh Samui hotels, you will have to plan out your
trip, and the most important part would include
deciding the
Koh Samui hotel where you would stay! |
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