This is certainly leagues away from a visit to HomePro or Ikea and just browsing through the shop is a memorable experience.

With its high ceiling and open spaces it has a warehouse-like atmosphere and indeed it shares space with a timber outlet called Teak Pro – an outfit specialising in wooden flooring, frames and doors made to customers’ specifications and this alone is worth visiting if you’re looking for quality Thai teakwood.

In the corner stands a gorgeous rectangular floor lamp covered entirely with sea shells and there are several large attractive shell-framed mirrors in varying designs while high up on the walls hang works of art and paintings by local artists. To put it mildly there is no noticeable organisation to the place (yet) and wandering through, you’ll be constantly surprised by the variety of unusual but very well executed objets d’art, decorations, lamps, furniture and household accessories. There are even robust garden benches and other outdoor furniture items. In fact it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Hi So is probably the most unique shop on the island.

The shop enjoys plenty of natural light and is a breezy place to explore with several friendly dogs that come out and greet you as you arrive.

• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
• Location: 185/9 Moo 7, Srisoonthorn Road, two kilometres from the Two Heroine’s monument heading towards Cherng Talay and Surin Beach
• Tel: 076 272 635 (Thai), 081 090 3100 (English)