SHOPPING

Phuket offers a great variety of shopping, from bustling open-air village food markets, noisy night markets, street stalls and local shops to air-conditioned department stores and upmarket specialist shops.

Thailand has a wealth of local crafts - ceramics, silks, textiles, tailor-made clothing and excellent furniture to name a few. If you simply want a few souvenirs or some inexpensive beach or sportswear, the local stalls in Phuket City and the beach resorts have masses.

If you need the essentials, head for the Western-style department stores or the superstores - Tesco-Lotus and Big C - on the edge of town. For distinctive items like gems and jewellery, there are specialist shops like Gems Gallery along the main bypass road, and shops selling Chinese or Thai ceramics and antiques. Many local sightseeing tours will take you to these places, or you can simply hire a car and go by yourself.

Export Restrictions

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

Bargaining

Most department stores and large retail outlets have fixed prices, so bargaining is not applicable. At markets, small stalls, shops or street vendors, bargaining is the norm. Expect to pay from 10-40% less than the original asking price - depending on your bargaining skills and the will of the vendor.

Smile: Bargain with a smile and you will be rewarded. Many Thais work long hours, so they appreciate a smile and good humour - you'll get better bargains.

Beware of Touts: The Tourism Authority of Thailand warns against touting taxi drivers and tour guides who offer to take you shopping and receive commissions for bringing tourists to various places to shop. Often the experience is a waste of your valuable shopping time.

Shopping Destinations

Department stores

Robinsons, Tilok-U-Thit 1 Rd, Phuket City
Ocean Shopping Mall, Tilok-U-Thit 1 Rd, Phuket City
Phuket Shopping Centre, Rassada Rd, Phuket City
Central Festival, bypass rd, Phuket City
Ocean Plaza, Thaweewong Rd, Patong
Ocean Plaza Bangla, Bangla Rd, Patong

Upmarket retail centres (antiques, art, handicrafts, etc)

Canal Village, Laguna Phuket, Cherng Talay
A cluster of high-end shops just outside the Laguna entrance, Cherng Talay
Jungceylon, Rat-U-Thit Rd, Patong (to open in 2005)

Superstores

Tesco-Lotus, bypass rd, Phuket City
Big C, bypass rd, Phuket City
Makro, Wichitsongkram rd, Phuket City

Furniture Stores

Intercraft Furniture, Chao Fa Nok Rd, between Phuket City and Chalong
Home Pro (in Tesco-Lotus), bypass rd, Phuket City
Courts Megastore, bypass rd, Phuket City

Street Shopping/Open Markets

Historical district, Phuket City (Dibuk, Thalang, Phang Nga, Rassada, Yaowarat roads)
Ranong Rd market, Phuket City
Chatuchak Phuket, Phang Nga Rd, Phuket City (weekends only)
Paradise Complex, Rat-U-Thit Rd, Patong
Bangla Rd, Patong
Thaweewong (beach) Rd, Patong

Fresh Markets

Ranong Rd market, Phuket City
Robinsons market, Phuket City
Bang Tao village market, Cherng Talay

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