Ko Samui Shopping
With the influx of visitors to the island from time to time, there are
increasing number of shops selling varieties of items on the Koh Samui
Island. Vast array of souvenirs, clothes, jewellery produced in other parts
of Thailand are brought to Koh Samui to cater the shoppers from all over the
world. Try to make the best purchase possible by getting a fair price. Many
labour-intensive items are available locally, such as custom-made tailors,
handcrafts, souvenir items made of coconut raw materials, wood sculptures.
Moreover, there are many jewellery shops available on the island. Many of
these items can be bought at very reasonable prices.
Places to Shop in Samui island
Chaweng, Lamai and Nathon are major shopping places for something special
and souvenirs to bring home with you. Some decorative items include: Thai
triangle cushions to brighten up your living room, reproduced antiques and
Buddha images from ancient Thai civilizations of Ayuthaya and Sukothai and
brightly pointed batiks or silks, which are convenient to carry and very
affordable on Koh Samui. Shopping in Samui is concentrated in three major
areas; Nathon market, Chaweng shopping area and Lamai shopping area. Many
kinds of retail goods from all over Thailand are available to guarantee that
you enjoy great shopping on Samui.
Thai
silks and handicrafts are just two good examples of Thai products which have
become internationally popular.
The major shopping areas of Chaweng, Nathon, Lamai and Maenam have central
commercial districts. Most of the shoppers direct to Nathon for day-time
shopping, where many shops are open the whole day. Chaweng Centre's night
market, located along Chaweng's main street and surrounded by many
restaurants, stays open well into the evening. Lamai has a variety of
necessity products and souvenirs to fulfill the needs of shoppers from all
walks of life. Maenam is popular for the household products, accessories,
and construction materials basically for the local people and the property
developers. However, there are nice restaurants and luxury resorts located
in Maenam though.
Nathon town is really the main shopping centre. This is where the ferries
arrive, where the buses come in, the head offices of the banks and local
government offices, along with many shops, supermarkets, general shops and
small Thai restaurants. Although offering no western style night
entertainment, there are several very good and inexpensive restaurants in
Nathon along with several Karaoke Restaurants. Being on the western coast
with stunning sunsets over the Angthong Archipelago, planning a shopping
trip to Nathon, sunset dinner on the beach road. Make sure you arrange your
transport back to Lamai or Chaweng if you plan to spend your evening there.
During the night time,
transfers out of Nathon will be a tiny bit "spotty" after 7 p.m.
Of course, Chaweng, Lamai, Maenam and all other areas and towns On-Samui
offer extensive shopping experiences. Most of the high quality western-
style retail outlets are located in Chaweng or Lamai, not Nathon. Night and
day markets operate in almost all towns in Koh Samui. Selling everything
from imported underwear to everything, the local markets are worth a visit
for sure, regardless of whether you purchase something or not. Markets are
always a source of great colour and activity in Koh Samui, an early morning
visit to a market in Koh Samui Island could give you some of the best
photographs that you have taken long time ago.
