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Patong Beach (see Map)
 Shopping
in the heart of Patong at the night markets is a case of what
you see is what you get. Everything available lines the streets
in brightly-lit stalls as far as the eye can see. The night
market offers products such as handicrafts, silk scarves,
sarongs and other beach and leisure wear, leather goods and luggage,
CD's, computer games and electronic gadgets and toys. The main
night market is easily found, extending all the way down the beach
road and into small secondary soi (lanes) on all nights of
the week. Along Raj-Uthid Road, there is another market
that sets up 2-3 nights a week, usually Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays which includes in its merchandise -- recycled jeans, funky
shoes and clothes, Thai sweets, orchids, ornaments and hair accessories.
Set-up time is usually around 6-7pm until late late late.
 During
the day, much of the merchandise available at the night markets
can be bought from stalls and small shops in the area of beach
road that are open day and night. Such shops don't usually open
until late morning - around 11.00am.
A host of small shops selling souvenirs and crafts exist in Patong,
as do tailor shops, jewelry stores, and many more.
Patong also has 3 department stores where all the essential
items can be bought. Ocean Department Store has 2 branches,
one in Soi Bangla, and the other on the beach road past the Holiday
Inn. Big 1 Supermarkets are found in the basement of each,
selling toiletries, bakery items, fresh fruit and vegetables and
snacks. Patong Shopping Centre is also on the beach road
near Molly Malones and KFC. on the top floor is Tower Records,
offering a good selection of contemporary local and imported music.
Travelling along Raj-Uthid Road heading out of Patong towards
Karon and Kata Beach, is a selection of furniture stores on the
right, and painting and artifact shops on the left.
Phuket Town (see Map)
Fresh Markets
 In
Phuket town, there are fresh markets held every morning. The largest
is the central market behind Ranong Road, which goes from the
early hours until 9-10am. During the day, some vegetables and
dry produce is still available, but the colour and bustle is missing.
The other fresh market is held next door to Robinson's Department
Store on Ong Sim Phai Road at a similar time. During the day there
is nothing to be seen until late afternoon when food vendors start
gathering for the night market. Other markets function throughout
the town on a rotational basis, on any afternoon through the week.
Along Tilok Uthit 2 Road there are Bazaar- like markets selling
all manner of household goods, accessories and Thai sweets. The
opposite side of the road is lined with gardening stores where
orchids and other tropical plants and flowering shrubs can be
purchased, along with beautiful ceramic pots, tubs and garden
ornaments. Unless you are a long term visitor, you will be unlikely
to want to purchase live plants, however a wander through to see
the exotic orchids and plants on display here is worthwhile.
Night Markets
 For
a good view of what Thai hawker food is all about, a visit to
the night markets held next door to Robinson's Department Store
on Ong Sim Phai Road, is a must. Vendors set up their mobile cooking
units, tables and chairs, and display their fresh ingredients
for passing customers to view. This colourful market offers a
wealth of Muslim, Thai and Chinese cooked meals and sweets. Simply
point at what you want to take away or eat right there -- most
vendors are perfectly happy to share the business with other vendors.
What they don't have, they'll get for you from another vendor.
Department Stores
Phuket Town is home to two large department stores. Robinson's
Department Store is located on Ong Sim Phai Road. It opens
from around 11am to 9pm daily. In the basement is Tops Supermarket,
and on the 4th floor is a foodhall featuring a selection of noodles,
rice dishes, Thai snacks and sweets. On Chalerm Pakiat Road heading
out of Phuket Town towards Patong, is the new Tesco Lotus Supercentre.
Similar to a hypermarket, all manner of inexpensive household
goods, clothing, food stuffs etc can be found there as well as
a small selection of restaurants and specialty shops.
Specialty Stores
 A
walk around the central area of Phuket Town will reveal some wonderful
shops - not least because of the beautiful wares sold, but also
because these shops are located in some of the finest old Chinese
shop houses - renovated and ramshackle alike. Along Talang Road
is The
Loft Art Gallery specializing in Southeast Asian art from
the Mon civilization up to and including the Colonial era; with
emphasis on rare or unusual examples from Burma and Thailand.
Around the corner is Baan Boran Textiles, selling exquisite hand
made garments from Thai silks and cottons. Close by are the China
Shop and Gecko Gallery, both of which offer a good selection of
gift items from the Asia region, and a number of furniture and
antique shops. Close by on Ranong Road, you can find a fascinating
array of shops selling wickerwork, bird cages, cooking utensils,
clothing, traditional medicines and more.
Kamala Beach (see Map)
Kamala provides an enjoyable and inexpensive shopping opportunity
to sightseers and visitors, in the form of its twice-weekly village
market. Held each Wednesday and Saturday afternoon along the highway
at the southern end of the bay, it provides ample colour and fun.
Mingle with friendly local residents, and sample locally produced
fruit, vegetables and delicious snacks.
For the bare necessities of life, there are a number of minimarts
in the village, a chemist and some small souvenir and leisure
ware shops.
Bang Tao / Surin Beaches
(see Map)
Bang-Tao Bay holds the following shopping alternatives for visitors.
Fresh Markets
 The
village of Bang Tao itself - along the main highway leading from
Kamala, Surin, through to ChoengTalay, holds village markets on
Friday and Tuesday afternoons - similar in style to the neighbouring
Kamala markets. Choeng Talay - only 2 minutes drive from the Laguna
Resort also hosts a village market on Sunday afternoons. Take
your umbrella -- rain or shine -- and dress down!
Resort Style Shopping
Within the luxurious Laguna Resort lies the Canal
Village, a picturesque, lagoon side development offering
upmarket boutique shopping. With over 40 shops to browse through,
you can find souvenirs and gifts, apparels, handicrafts, elegant
Jim Thompson silks, tailors, jewellery, leather, antiques and
cafes. Canal Village is conveniently serviced by regular tuk tuks
and boats from all Laguna hotels, and is a great place to visit
from any part of the island.
Also within the Laguna Resort, are the Banyan
Tree Galleries, which specialise in products from around
the Asia region. Handwoven textiles, garments, jewellery, handicrafts,
contemporary and tribal art, and leisure wear can all be found
in these 6 outlets which are located in each of the 5 hotels within
the resort, and at Canal Village.
Other On Srisoonthorn Road near the entrance to the Laguna Resort,
lies a small collection of stores. Among them can be found some
interesting wooden artifacts and decorative items. Across the
road is a great paint shop specialising in reproductions of your
favourites. Look for Tatonka Restaurant and Joe's Jungle Bar.
Nearby, Choeng Talay village has the usual collection of mini-marts,
chemists and other such stores.
By Location: Patong
- Phuket Town - Kamala
- BangTao/Surin
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