What to buy
A wealth of shopping opportunities awaits the visitor, and bargains abound throughout the country in
traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewelery and antiques, as well as more contemporary items.
Clothing & Silk
Clothing
Thailand is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of ready-to-wear clothing. Fashion boutiques are found in
every shopping mall, while cheaper clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are available at bargain prices from
street vendors. Custom tailoring is also very affordable and tailors can produce or copy most styles in just
a few days.
Silk
Probably the most famous of all the kingdom's handicrafts, silk is available in a range of colors,
patterns and plays, and is sold by the yard, or as ready-made clothing and souvenir items.
A unique style of Thai silk is Mat Mee, a tie-dye silk traditional to the North-east.
Cotton & Batik
Thai cottons have become increasingly popular and are a good deal. Particularly notable are the hill tribe cottons woven by the
tribal people of the North,
typically displaying bold designs and often lavish embroidery. Equally distinctive are original batiks crafted at
several studios in
Bangkok.
Cotton & Batik
Pewter ware
Pewter is fashioned with great skill by Thai craftsmen,
and the smooth, silky finish of this attractive alloy is enhanced by delicate relief decoration. Pewter ware
items include plates, boxes, vases and pocket flasks.
Gems
Bangkok is the colored
gemstone capital of the world. Rubies and sapphires are
indigenous stones, but virtually all colored gems, as well as diamonds, are available. Shoppers should exercise
caution and buy from reputable dealers only.
Antiques
Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Khmer antiques are excellent buys.
There is an export ban on certain pieces, particularly Buddha images. Other pieces may require an export license,
but any reputable dealer will be able to advise on restrictions and any necessary documentation.
Ceramics & Celadon
Ceramics
Both traditional and contemporary styles of pottery are available throughout the kingdom. Best known are the
distinctive sea-green celadon from the Sukothai area, and the central provinces' colorful Benjarong
(five color) porcelain, which are unique to our country.
Nielloware
Practiced in the South for hundreds of years, nielloware is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects
with delicate etched designs filled with a metal ware. Nielloware trays, boxes, vases and other items are
some of our best buys.
Lacquer ware
A specialty of Chiang-Mai and the north, this craft involves coating split bamboo or wood with lacquer,
then adding intricate hand-painted designs typically gold-on-black lacquer or yellow and green on a red brown background.
Look out for lacquer ware bowls, boxes, trays and other items for decoration or for souvenirs.
Nielloware & Lacquer ware
Thai Orchids
Thailand is famous for our huge variety of orchids and their magnificent colors and durable beauty make
them a popular purchase. Specially packaged flowers, complete with water supply, are easily transported
and can be conveniently purchased at
Bangkok International Airport.
Furniture
Rattan and rosewood furniture items are available in many designs and styles and can also be made to order.
Shops have a wide selection and can arrange shipment overseas.
Hilltribe Crafts
The
tribal groups who live in
the hills of the north make a variety of beautifully embroidered textiles and silver jewelry.
They are on offer everywhere in Thailand.
Where to Shop
Art & Craft Shop
Siam Celadon's Phuket
Ceramics of Phuket
71/3 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu, Phuket 83120
Tel.0 7632 1917, 0 7627 2151-2, 0 7620 2086
Website: www.ceramicsofphuket.com
Oriental Design Concepts
Viset Road Rawai, Muang Phuket 83130
Opening Monday - Sunday: 10.00 a.m. - 18.00 p.m.
Tel: 0 7638 4011,Fax: 0 7638 1693
Website: www.orientalwicks.com
Siam Celadon's Phuket
4 Soi Romani, Talang Road, Muang, Phuket 83100
Tel. 0 7621 2154 Fax: 0 7621 2154
Website: www.siamceladon.com
Fabric & Textiles
Jim Thompson Outlet
Jim Thompson Factory Outlet
Courtyard by Marriott , 90/5 Chaofa Road, Tambon Wichit, Muang, Phuket
Tel: 0 7626 4468-9
Website: www.jimthompson.com
Mani Fashions
8/14 Moo-1, Patak Road, Soi Karon Noi, Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100
Tel. 0 7634 4095, Fax. 0 7634 2229
Phuket Batik
371/4 Yoawarat Road, Taladyai, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel.0 7621 1849,0 7622 3918
Website: www.phuketdir.com/phuketbatik
Radsada Handmade
29 Rasada Rd.,Phuket Town, 93100
Tel.0 7635 5439, 08 1893 9014
Sirirat
135 Thalang Road, Taladyai, Muang Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7621 1181, Fax.0 7621 4606
jewellery & Pearl
Pearl Factory
Kinnaree House
82/9 Moo 4, Patak Road, Rawai, Muang, Phuket 83100
Tel.0 7628 1050,0 7628 1051; Fax:0 7628 1054
Mook Phuket
65/1 Moo 1, Chaofa Road, Muang, Vichit, Phuket Thailand 83000
Tel. 0 7621 3766, 0 7624 4042 Fax: 0 7622 6125
Mobile. 08 1891 2173, 08 1892 3407, 08 1737 2331
Website: www.mookphuket.com
Pearl Factory
58/2, Kohkaew, Muang, Phuket 83200
Tel. 0 7623 8002, 0 7623 8337, 0 7637 7730-1, Fax. 0 7623 8337
Website: www.phuketpearlfactory.com
Canal Village Shopping Center
Shopping Mall & Department Store
Canal Village Shopping Center
Laguna Phuket,
390/12-13,15, Srisontorn Road, Chenglalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110
Tel. 0 7627 1311 ext.12-13, 0 7627 1304 ext.15
Central Festival Phuket
74-75, Vichitsongkram Road, Muang, Phuket 83000
Opening Hours : Mon-Thu 11.00 a.m. - 09.30 p.m., Fri-Sun 11.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
Website: www.centralfestivalphuket.com
Home Work
79,Chaofa Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7660 8000 ext 419
Central Festival
Website: www.homeworks.co.th/plaza/phuket.html
Index Shopping Mall
76 Chalerm Phra Kiat, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7624 9541-9
Website: www.indexlivingmall.com
Jungceylon (Phuket Square)
181 Rat-u-thit 200 Pi Road, Patong, Katu, Phuket 83150
Opening Hours: Daily feom 11:00 a.m. - 23:00 p.m.
Tel. 0 7660 0111 Fax: 0 7660 0222
Website: www.jungceylon.com
Index Living Mall
Ocean Department Store
Branch 1 : 31 Bangla Road, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150
Tel. 0 7634 1163-6, Fax. 0 7634 2271
Branch 2 : 48-48/1 Thaweewong Road, Patong, Katu, Phuket 83150
Tel. 0 7634 1297-8, Fax. 0 7634 0395
Branch 3 : 18 Tilok-U-Thit 1 Road, Taladyai, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7634 1637, Fax. 0 7634 2271
Website: www.phuketoceangroup.com
Robinson Department Store
36 Tilokutis 1 Road, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel.0 7625 6500-12
SCB Design Square
Wichit, Muang, Phuket, Phuket 83000
Jungceylon
Tel. 0 7630 4155, Fax. 0 7630 4165
Website: www.sbdesignsquare.com
Shopping Center
62/20, Rasadanusorn Road, Muang, Phuket 83150
Tel. 0 7621 3416, Fax. 0 7621 2942
Premium Outlet Phuket
888, Koh Kaew, Mung, Phuket 76120
Opening Hours : Open Daily 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tel. 0 7635 0500-3
Website: www.outletmallthailand.com
Other Shop
Tesco Lotus
Big C Super Center
72, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7624 9444, Fax. 0 7624 9450
Website: www.bigc.co.th/en/
International Wine Importers Co., Ltd.
Address: 382/69, Dusit-Laguna Road, Choeng Thale, Thalang, Phuket 83110
Tel. 0 7627 0852, Fax. 0 7627 0851
Website: www.wineandtaste.com
Super Cheap
46/5 Thepkasatri Road, Rasada, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7629 8600, Fax. 0 7622 6015
Website: www.supercheapphuket.com/index.html
Tesco Lotus
104, Chalerm Phra Kiat, Rasadanusorn Road, Muang, Phuket 83000
Tel. 0 7625 4888, Fax. 0 7625 4914
Website: www.tescolotus.com/en/
Buyer Beware
The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints a year about fake jewelry purchases.
To avoid being a statistic, you must stay alert to the warning signs of a swindle at work. Heeding the Tourism
Authority of Thailand warning could help you stave off unpleasant surprises and make your vacation
what it should be - full of sparkle.
The following are valuable pointers for your protection :
● Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.
● Buying gems or jewellery to resell at double or triple the purchase prices is an
impossible proposition under any circumstances.
Buy jewellery only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones.
● Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry.
● Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you.
● Do not believe special (jewelry) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers
hardly ever offer sales and never send touts to lure tourists to their stores.
● There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorized by
the government or any official agencies at any time of the year.
● The government does not own, operate, subsidize, or authorize any jewelry stores.
● As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees,
unchecked documents, unauthorized verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters
and the like do not constitute verification. Remember, you are your own best protection.
● All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding
goods that are bought in Thailand.
When in doubt about a gem shop, check it with the Tourism Authorities at:
● Reputable shops will give a written agreement to a full refund on any goods returned within 90 days.
If a shop refuses to do this, go elsewhere.
● Shops in hotel arcades pay high rents and accordingly prices tend to be higher than at street shops.
On the other hand, hotel arcades are very convenient if you have little time for shopping.
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