Shopping in Phuket is hugely popular; to the locals because hey, everyone loves to buy stuff, and for the visitors and tourists because $1 USD is about 35 Baht, –so not only is shopping interesting and exciting, but it’s also cheap! Also, shopping is something easy that everybody, especially women, can do; so there are no special classes, lessons, or information to get beforehand. On top of that, most apartments and villas in Phuket are close to outdoor markets or malls, so the walk or ride or drive is short, and its a readily available diversion for families or groups of tourists. Some of the most popular products and things to buy are Thai silk, jewelry, knick-knacks, furniture, clothes, art, cashews, ceramics and pewterware, and many other things.
Some of the most popular areas to shop are Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Phuket Town, Bang Tao Beach, and Kamala Beach. There are also a variety of different kinds of storres to shop in, in each of these locations, such as department stores, upscale retail stores, outlets and superstores, -furniture stores, street markets/bazaars, and fresh food markets. Some of the best shopping locations in Phuket and Patong Beach are Phuket Central Festival, Tesco Lotus, Jungceylon, Big C, Index Living Mall, Ocean Bangla & Ocean Plaza Patong. And remember, the first tip given by the best Phuket shopping guide online, is to smile– everyone loves a good smile, and these people work long hours to support families, so be kind while bargaining; it will get you a better deal, and make everyone’s day a little brighter.
