Shopping in Phuket

For many years visitors to Thailand have liked to shop around for the range of beautiful handicrafts and unusual items that can be picked up in local markets.  Increasingly however, there are a number of tourists taking advantage of the fantastic bargains to be had in Thailand across a wide range of items, from clothes to electrical goods and jewellery.

Phuket offers the discerning shopper a wide range of shopping opportunities, without the hustle and bustle of the busy shopping malls in Bangkok.

Centred around Phuket Town and Patong, there are plenty of great shops selling all the latest luxury goods as well as small stalls offering fantastic handmade items and trinkets.

Phuket Town

Without doubt the nicest place for shopping in Phuket is to walk around the old streets of historic Phuket Town.  The area is not as commercialised as some of the more tourist orientated beach resorts therefore the same items can be purchased a little cheaper than say Patong, where prices can increase a little during the busy high season.

If you are interested in handicrafts and antiques there are a number a lovely little boutique style shops located in the towns “Old Quarter”.  Wandering around this area also offers you the chance to take in some of the stunning Sino-Portuguese style architecture that can still be seen in many of the buildings, dating back to when Phuket was a major tin producer.

If you are interested in gems or everyday items, there are also a few shops around the centre of town offering bargains.

For smaller items and souvenirs the downtown market is handily located right next to the beachside bus stations and there are also weekend markets selling all manner of inexpensive clothing, shoes and household items.

On the outskirts of town are a number of shopping centres where all manner of goods can be purchased.  Centres include Big C, Index Living Mall, IT City and Central Festival.

Patong

Offering a wider range of outlets but without the charm of Phuket Town, Patong is a great place to find all types of shopping.

The recently opened Jungceylon shopping mall has everything under one roof.  This huge complex is build on three storeys and incorporates a wide range of shopping options, from small designer shops to Carrefour and a Robinsons Department Store.   The centre also has a variety of dining options and a three screen cinema showing all the latest western releases.

For lesser known brand names, the Ocean Plaza department store is well worth a visit for inexpensive clothing and household items.

If you are looking for markets and stalls in Patong it is best to leave it until after dark when the streets are full of market traders selling a large variety of trinkets, hand made items, cheap clothing and local produce.  The length of the beach road transforms itself into a night bazaar and is an experience not to miss.

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