Phuket Shopping  

Phuket offers a great variety of shopping alternatives for visitors. From bustling open-air village food markets and colourful, noisy night markets; or little shops and street stalls selling inexpensive, beach and sportswear and all manner of souvenirs; to western style department stores, which make it easy for visitors to find the essentials, and up-market boutique shopping offering the best of Thailand and Asia, Phuket has all this and absolutely everything in between.

General Tips

• Bargaining The general rule of thumb when shopping is that department stores and large retail outlets sell fixed price merchandise, although discounts can sometimes be given on certain items when paying cash. When shopping at markets, small stalls and shops or from street vendors, bargaining is the norm. Expect to pay around 10-40 percent less than the original asking price - depending on your bargaining skills and the will of the vendor. It's always a good idea to check around with other vendors and stores to make sure of the price range for whatever you are buying. The Tourist Authority of Thailand warns against following up shopping recommendations from touting taxi drivers and tour guides who receive commissions for bringing tourists to places to shop. Often the experience is a waste of your valuable shopping time.

• Export restrictions Be aware that it is forbidden to take images of Buddha, deities, and some antique artifacts from the country without first obtaining approval from the Fine Arts Department in Bangkok.