Glossary A – G
Antiques: The best places to shop for antiques are Chiang Mai and Bangkok. But if you’re desperate to have a look in Phuket, you can find some good shops at the entrance to Laguna resort complex and try walking around the older parts Phuket City. A trip to Soul of Asia is also recommended.
Art: If you are looking for very good copies of the masters, the Artist Studio Gallery in Patong and Kathu has a team of artists working on all types of paintings, with some original paintings as well. They say most of the artists on the island have passed through here at one time or another. The two outlets are definitely worth checking out for good pieces that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for something more original, you should venture into Phuket City, to the Phuket Art Gallery. This small gallery was opened by a local art-loving family who also owns a small guesthouse across the road. There is a revolving exhibit in the front of the shop that changes every month and displays all original work by local artists. A static display inside includes paintings, sculptures, mixed-media works and photographs. This should be the first place you look for art if you are interested in something original and not made for tourists.
Bags and accessories: Knock-off handbags are available in Patong but you’ll find the real deal in Central Festival. Styles are modern, trendy and quite appealing.
Books: New books on Thailand and other popular subjects as well as the latest in fiction are available at B2S (third floor, Central Festival) and SE-ED Books (Big C and Lotus). There are also numerous second hand bookstores scattered about in the various tourist areas but despite their good selection of ‘beach reads’ they aren’t terribly ‘second hand’ in price. Some better value ones are found in Phuket town.
CDs and DVDs: Pirated CDs, DVDs and computer games are plentiful at Patong beach. Quality isn't always guaranteed and the very newest movies are most likely ‘zoom’, or shot with a video camera inside a movie theatre – very poor quality viewing. Local movie distributors have responded with competitive prices and genuine shops in the malls have a decent selection of DVDs for around 250-900 baht and VCDs for 120 baht, however these most cover the Thai tastes and preferences for action, ghost and shallow subject movies. If you buy a VCD, make sure you check the language is in English (or ask the shop keeper).
Ceramics: Ceramics of Phuket is well worth a mention for its stunning and original pottery. Created with local clays and ingredients that reflect the spirit of Phuket and the colours of the sea, all the pieces are incredibly beautiful and unusual. You can find tea sets, incense burners, vases, dishes, and much more, that are all made in pleasing and modern styles.
Clothing: You can find plenty of cute and trendy clothes at cheap prices and cheap quality at the markets and small shops around the island. Most are in smaller sizes though. If you are looking for quality and Western sizes, shop at Central Festival, which offers plenty of brand name selections at great prices. There are good sales at the end of the high season. Tailors are plentiful in Patong and Kata beaches and they can knock together a suit or dress for you in 24 hours; you can even bring a photo of something you like and they will replicate it.
Computer hardware: laptops and other electronics can be bought at various shops in Phuket City but if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s best to shop in Central Festival at the few computer shops on the second floor.
Digital cameras: there are few deals to be had here, but you can find a good choice of cameras in the small camera shops in Central Festival, Big C, and Lotus.
Dive gear: regulators, BCDs, dive computers and other imported equipment is not cheap in Thailand due to the import duties. However, Thai-made wetsuits can be a good bargain and of good quality. While individual dive shops have some supplies, Dive Supply in Patong is the best place to shop.
Food: it’s quite popular for Thais to take a gift of food back home when they visit a place and every region of Thailand is famed for particular foods. In Phuket, you’ll find cashew nuts, dried squid and shrimp paste are readily available and packaged for gift-giving. There’s a cashew nut factory and outlet in Chalong for those who want to take their nut knowledge to the next level. The daily food markets around the island are a good place to see some foods you might not be used to.
Gems: Thailand has some lovely gem shops but buyers should know what they are doing or go to a reputable shop. We recommend Wang Talang for those wishing to buy loose gems and jewellery. Custom-made jewellery is beautifully and tastefully done at DD Jewel Design but make sure you have some time to wait for it to be completed. Don’t be scammed into buying cheap smuggled Burmese gems, because they are invariably fake and by the time you discover this, the shop would’ve closed and moved!
This is page 1 of 2. Go to Page 2: The shopping glossary: H - Z.
