Souvenir shopping has been an important part of the holiday experience since tourism was first invented and is now a major industry in its own right. The key to it is finding something which reminds you of a fantastic holiday; which just looking at causes your mind to conjure memories of Phuket’s wonderful white sands, nodding palms, vibrant nightlife and exotic cuisine. The challenge is finding that souvenir without getting ripped off!
To help you in this quest, we’ve created this list of the 5 most popular souvenirs from Phuket, with suggestions of where you can find the best items at a fair price.
T-shirts and singlets
Phuket Weekend Market
“Been there, done that, got the t-shirt,” as the saying goes – and a lot of people have indeed got the t-shirt. Amongst the popular proofs of having visited Thailand are the glow-in-the-dark ‘Full Moon Party’ shirts, Chang Beer singlets, ‘Same Same But Different’ shirts and dodgy copies of famous football kits. There is a very wide range of designs available, with many of them being extremely popular right across the country. Look around long enough and you can find something a little different, too. The quality varies a lot, but the prices are universally low – generally not much more than 200 baht each. Read More...
- Location: Phuket Town
Elephants and frogs
Expo Phuket
Elephants are synonymous with the Land of Smiles and an elephant trekking trip is the highlight of many a holiday. Likenesses of these majestic creatures are available to adorn your house in a great range of sizes and materials, including lacquered wood, metal and stone. When you get them home, they should ideally be placed facing a doorway (it’s a Feng Shui/tradition thing). If elephants aren't your thing, little wooden frogs which make a "ribbit" noise when you rake the stick across their ridged backs are also popular. Both start from as little as 50 baht for a small one. Read More...
- Location: Phuket Town
Silk and other fabrics
Jim Thompson
Probably Thailand’s most famous export is its first-class silk. It’s not just any old silk – it’s Thai silk! Thai cotton is also rising in popularity and batik is especially popular in Phuket. The quality is often extremely good for the price, with beautiful intricate designs. You can very easily find Thai silk scarves, ties, saris, shirts, shorts, tablecloths, cushion covers and more on market stalls or in dedicated stores, or you can go to one of the countless tailor shops and get a suit or dress made up. Beware of cheap imitations (made of polyester), which are usually identified by their unfeasibly low price. You should be paying about 500 baht upwards for a good scarf. Read More...
- Location: Central Festival Phuket
Spa products
Luxury spas
As with the local silk, Thai massages are so renowned that they are considered to be in a class of their own, separate from any other kind. As a result, spa treatments are extremely popular, as are massage classes. Relive that sensation of total relaxation (or practise your newfound skills on your friends) with the genuine article – Thai spa products. You can generally pick up anything from massage oils to bath foam, with cheap options found at most of the markets and high-quality products often sold by the spas which use them. The higher the quality, the higher the price tag, but why not spoil yourself – you’re on holiday! Read More...
Soap flowers
Karon Market
Yet another notable symbol of Thailand (it has quite a few, doesn’t it?) are its beautiful flowers. You might have received a garland of orchids when you arrived at your hotel, but they won’t last long before they begin to wither. They certainly won’t survive the journey home. Fortunately, there is a way you can take home an example both of Thailand glorious horticulture and its amazing craftsmanship – soap flowers. As the name suggests, they are intricately carved from a small block of fragrant soap and are quite amazingly realistic in appearance. Prices are pretty reasonable, too – usually not more than 100 baht. Read More...
- Location: Karon Beach
Bonus Extra
Thai Cook Books
Most book shops
Who wouldn’t want to know how to cook with Poo? Poo is a person, by the way – the jolly Thai lady on the front cover. This book is the gift that gives double – a fun talking point for your coffee table and a great resource for amazing your friends with brilliant Thai cuisine! Read More...
