Glossary of Phuket shopping (H - Z)
Handicrafts: these make the best gifts, although they can be bulky to carry home. It’s best to shop at the OTOP outlets on Bypass road or Kata beach, or in Central Festival. There are also small handicraft stands in Tesco Lotus and Big C. Handicrafts are also sold at stalls in Patong and Kata. Better value is had in Chiang Mai and Bangkok but these are cheap non-the-less, charming and plentiful.
Mobile phones: there are plenty of mobile phones everywhere but you should go to Big C (basement level) for the largest selection. Prices are good (new and used), the technology up-to-date and if you buy a 1000 baht of credit you get the SIM card free.
Perfume: counters in the department stores (Robinsons and Central) sell a good range of international brand perfumes. Fakes can be bought in tourist areas and at stands in Tesco Lotus and Big C with the scent varying quite a bit from the original depending where you buy.
Shoes: Phuket is home to a large Western ex-pat population and receives plenty of tourists, so shoe sizes are usually bigger than you’ll find in the rest of Thailand with the exception of Bangkok. New, modern and excellent quality shoes can be found in Central Department Store (Central Festival). Cheap, trendy shoes can be found at markets and roadside stalls near beaches.
Sportsware: there is a B2S sports store in Central Festival with goods ranging from treadmills, to dive gear, to swimsuits, running and hiking shoes, camping gear and workout bags. Central Department Store also offers a good choice of workout wear and shoes.
Sunglasses: these are abundant everywhere and Phuket is a good place to stock up with such variety. Optometrists such as Top Chareon, which has outlets all over the island, carry the real deal – Gucci, Ray Ban, Oakley and more – but at Western prices. Sometimes you’ll find a good sale though, or you can always ask for a discount especially when buying multiple pairs. Cheap knockoffs are for sale at stalls everywhere for around 100 baht and up but beware that they may be more of a danger than a help when you’re spending lots of time in the sun.
Surfing: a few ‘surf’ shops are located in Kata beach. It’s not the best place in the world to buy a surf board though, and you are recommended to bring your own if you want to surf, besides there aren’t exactly huge breakers on the Andaman coast.
Swimwear: Cute bikinis and sarongs are sold all around the main beach areas. If you’re looking for something with more quality, or for sizes up to XXL, try Central Festival.
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.
Toys: Thais love spoiling their children and since many toys are manufactured here or in China they are remarkably cheap and the variety mind boggling. Robinsons (Phuket City) and Central (Central Festival) department stores have good sections for kids. There are also plenty of cute clothes at good prices in the malls.
Watches: fake watches can be found at Patong and Kata beaches, but you get what you pay for. The real thing is available at Central Festival and besides the enormous watch department, there is also an entire store in the mall dedicated to watches. Don't expect any bargains on the imports from Europe.
Note! The 1stop series does not condone the sale of pirated goods, the choice to buy these remains entirely with you.
This is page 2 of 2. Go back to Page 1: The shopping glossary: A - G
