Koh Samui Shopping

Whether you are looking for designer labels, cheap counterfeit goods or Thai handicrafts, you can find it all on Koh Samui. As far as Koh Samui shopping goes, there are literally dozens of shops, street stalls and markets to choose from, but some places are certainly better than others. The best places for shopping in Samui include Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, Mae Nam and Nathon.

Markets

The biggest and best market for souvenir hunters is Bophut Plaza down at Bophut Beach. The plaza opens up around 6 p.m. Here you’ll find everything from fake designer clothes and watches, to CD’s and Thai handicrafts. You can find some very cheap goods here, but the thing you need to remember is to bargain at all times. More than likely, the first asking price is not the real price, and you’ll be able to bargain it down considerably. Just remember to be polite and smile at all times while doing so.  Other good markets include the long stretch of beach road at central Chaweng, and the fresh market at Lamai where you can find many local Thai foods, as well as the usual fake goods and souvenirs.

Malls

Chaweng Beach is home to several malls where you can buy everything and everything at relatively cheap prices. Tesco Lotus and Big C are the biggest two malls, and in both places you’ll be able to find brand name shops selling clothes, jewelry, electrical goods, kids’ toys, pharmaceutical goods and much more. As well as this, both malls have many smaller stalls and shops inside, restaurants and cinemas.

Boutiques

For more stylish shoppers who want to splurge, there are a whole bunch of upmarket boutiques at Bophut. Siddharta is the most famous of these boutiques. Located on the main street, it is a great place to go for elegant dresses and stylish beachwear. Chaweng is also home to a few fashionable boutiques, notably Chandra and Udomagg & Findig on Beach Road. Both of them are good places to find fashionable footwear, handbags and clothes.

Jewelry

Koh Samui has a whole wealth of options for buying jewelry. My Jewel International, located in Nathon is one of the best value jewelry shops on Ko Samui. The selection of gold, silver and gems isn’t quite as good as some other shops elsewhere on the island, but the prices are hard to beat. Over at Chaweng Beach, the best place for jewelry shopping is Classic Gems, near the famous Centara resort. Classic Gems have a huge selection of rings, chains, necklaces, and they also offer bespoke (custom made) jewelry. Another shop worth checking out is Silvermania at Lamai Beach. The name of this shop says it all of course. They stock all kinds of silver jewelry and silverwear, including cutlery, plates and ornaments.

Handicrafts

As well as the regular tourist fare that you dotted around all the markets and street stalls on Samui, there are a few specialist, better quality shops specializing in local arts and craft. One of the better ones is called About Arts and Crafts, a very quaint little shop and café that sells handmade ceramic kitchenware, watercolor paintings and more. You can find it at Chonwithee road in Nathon.