Phuket Shopping Guide
What to Buy in Phuket
Phuket has a great variety of Thai handicrafts, some of which come from other parts of Thailand and some which are regional specialities. Intricate filigree leather pictures, items made from coconuts and sea shells, bronze and lacquerware and ceramics are just some of the items produced.
Some have been created by craftsmen whose skills have been handed down for generations while others are produced in factories using the latest in advanced technology and quality control. You really need to see for yourself...
Phuket has a great variety of Thai handicrafts, some of which come from other parts of Thailand and some which are regional specialities. Intricate filigree leather pictures, items made from coconuts and sea shells, bronze and lacquerware and ceramics are just some of the items produced. Read More...
Wonderful antique, contemporary or handcrafted furniture from Thailand and the entire Asia region is available on the island. Cabinets, tables, dining room, bedroom and outdoor furniture can also be made to order in a variety of wood, including teak, rosewood, rattan and bamboo. Read More...
Thailand is a leading producer of sapphires and the world's largest cutter of coloured stones. Thai artisans can also craft jewelry to suit international tastes, with prices set according to the amount of workmanship and detail of the individual item. Gold jewellery is also a bargain in Thailand, with prices fixed according to "baht" weight of the item. Read More...
The range is huge: from clothing, jewelry and accessories to home decorations, fine furniture and handicrafts. Some are antiques and some are reproductions, while many others are made to classy new designs. Read More...
One way to make your mark anywhere in the world is to have the right car. In Thailand, the way to pick the right car is, first and foremost, to pick an imported model. Import duties in Thailand pile to around 100%, so your imported car is going to cost perhaps 50% more than a similar car made in Thailand, making imports more desirable as a status symbol. Read More...
Need a new suit? Get a made-to-measure cashmere suit in just a couple of days - for a fraction of the cost at home! One of the best value buys in Phuket is tailor made clothing. Cashmere suits, smooth dinner jackets, fashionable evening wear, hand-made cotton shirts - couture classics created in a couple of days. Read More...
Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys. Statues, fabrics, woodcarvings and furniture are just some of the items available. Excellent reproductions of antiques can also be found. There is an export ban on certain pieces, particularly Buddha images. Read More...
Thai silk is on the top of the best buy list in Thailand. Sold in a range of colours, and in various widths, lengths and thicknesses, or as ready-made products such as shirts, blouses, men's suits and ladies silk jackets, bedcovers and furnishings. Prices and quality vary greatly, but good quality silk is easily found at Jim Thompson in major shopping centres and shops at major hotels. Read More...
Sa paper is a durable, natural handmade paper that has been produced in Thailand for centuries. Today, it is used for the delicate painted umbrellas the Chiang Mai craft industry is famous for, and is also made into masks, notebooks, picture frames, stationery, lamps and artificial flowers. Read More...