Phuket Shopping by Areas
Where to Shop in Phuket
Since a few years now, Phuket has seen a surge in shopping opportunities. No longer a twice-weekly event at a local market, shopping in Phuket is a multi-faceted affair that takes in several world-class malls with their satellite businesses, elegant boutiques selling antiques, brand-name clothes and expensive artifacts.
Add to that colourful art galleries, large lapidaries, Thai silk and textile emporiums and even furniture shops and you're beginning to get the picture.
Some of the island's best finds for antiques and other treasures can be found at Laguna's Canal Village and in the rows of shops just outside the Laguna entrance. The open-air village markets are also worth visiting, if only to take in the sights and sounds of a typical Thai bazaar. Read More...
Chalong is not a major shopping destination as such, but its facilities are good enough for holidaymakers to get by. With the opening of two supermarkets and malls, Villa Market and Tesco Lotus @ Park Rawai locals are no longer obliged to make a long trek to Phuket Town or Kata and Karon where there are a lot more options for fun and souvenir shopping. Read More...
Tourist items such as various silks, wood carvings, beachwear, batik items, jewellery and tailors shops can be found all around Kamala. Mini marts offer bread, milk, eggs etc but there's no supermarket of note. Twice a week there's an interesting fresh food market where you can find meat (very fresh) and all the fruit and vegetables you'd expect and many you probably haven't seen before. Read More...
Whilst Karon's nightlife doesn't have the frenetic pace found in Patong there's still plenty of fun to be had. Revolving around bars, Karon's nightlife is packed into a small area with many places to choose from. The bars are popular with both expats and tourists, some are beers bars but they're harmless enough. Most places start to close at midnight. Read More...
Kata Beach lies south of Patong on Phuket's west coast. The shopping area stands back from the beach. Kata offers quite a varied selection of shopping opportunities for visitors and, although somewhat sleepy during the day (everyone's on the beach), many souvenir shops open in the early afternoon and shop owners are there to barter with until late at night. Read More...
Since the opening of Turtle Village, holiday shopping is possible without having to travel too far. Located just a short walk from Anantara Resort and JW Marriott Phuket, this uniquely designed 'village' has two levels and covers over 3,000sqm of retail. Here, you can find gifts, Thai souvenirs, clothing selections and dining. Read More...
Nai Harn is not Phuket’s best shopping destination – its beach, verdant hills and tranquility are its main assets and the area has more of a residential feel to it than other West Coast destinations. However, shopping for groceries in Nai Harn has become a lot easier lately with the opening of several 7-Elevens and if you’re after souvenirs there are several shops selling original paintings and others knick-knacks. Read More...
Every evening it seems that Patong turns into a giant market as market stalls appear from nowhere on all the main streets (and many minor ones). You can virtually anything you need but you must haggle to get a reasonable price, haggling should be done with a smile on your face. Read More...
Phuket people love shopping and there are lots of great spots to pick up clothing, local handicrafts and more for a bargain in Phuket City. Check out the city's night markets, stroll along the streets of downtown or stop in at a department store - the variety of goods on offer is truly bewildering. Read More...
Rawai, for all its charms, is not a major shopping destination. Phromtep Cape has a large range of souvenir shops for batik, shells, T-shirts and holiday paraphernalia. Rawai Shell Museum certainly is the place to go if you are looking to buy shells but for bargain-price copied clothes, DVD's, jewelry and other items you'll have to look elsewhere. Read More...
Surin is not a notable shopping destination but there are some interesting places to stop in at if you're in the area. Start at the upmarket shopping mall the Surin Plaza located just before you reach Surin Beach from Cherng Talay. Then there are some nice shop-houses with good quality items near the beach itself. Read More...
