Shopping in Chaweng Beach
For shopping, Chaweng is equally hard to beat. Although there is a certain sameyness to the market stalls, which line most of the Beach Road, selling faux designer clothes, bags, CD's and DVD's, there are some very good Thai craft, jewellery, sportswear and swimwear shops. Chaweng also has the highest density of dive shops on the island, several high quality opticians and a vast array of tailors all touting for business.
On a practical level, Chaweng now has ATM's every 100 metres or so and plenty of currency exchanges. The island's most professional hospital, Samui International Hospital, can also be found on the north Beach Road.
Just a little farther south is Chaweng Noi. The beach here is smaller and just as pretty as Chaweng. There are not as many resorts and the area is a peaceful option that is not too far from the bustle of Chaweng. |
Very smart shopping arcade attached to Central Samui Beach Resort, that's well worth a look for genuine brand goods. Jim Thompson probably needs no introduction and, as elsewhere in the Kingdom, specialises in high quality Thai silk clothes and accessories. Oriental Gallery sells a wide range of authentic Thai and South East Asian antiques at authentically expensive prices. Magistral sells Italian bikinis in a full range of Western sizes. Splash sells golf gear, G-shock watches, Man U clothing and local brand surfwear. Try Out has some very elegantly designed handmade silver jewellery. The owners of Armani Suits International may have been nowhere near Milan recently, but the shop is still one of the best tailors in Chaweng and has an excellent selection of international fabrics to choose from. Finally, for visitors in need of a decent haircut, Jack Holt is up to international standards. Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng.
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| D and D Framed Asian Arts |
As the name suggests, D&D sells hand framed antiques from all over Asia. The pieces are all mounted on a Thai silk backing and are high quality, if a little pricey, souvenirs. Pieces are bought from all over the continent and include everything from Burmese opium pipes and Thai Buddhas to Japanese ceramic erotica and Chinese Feng Shui compasses.
The shop has over 180 pieces in stock at any one time, all between 20-65 years old. Certificates of origin and all the necessary paperwork are provided to ensure a swift passage through customs. South Chaweng, Behind Armani Suits.
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Producing a fine range of high quality ceramics, Samui Cera counts many of the island's top hotels amongst its customers and has two outlets - their headquarters in Maenam, which has imperfect pieces on sale from as little as 30 Baht, and the Just A Detail branch in Chaweng, which sells the top products from its range. Their range includes cups, mugs, plates and bowls and larger items such as sinks and vases. All the pieces on sale are fired at 1250 degrees and are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. There's a wide variety of designs and colours on offer and all the pieces get their base tone from local coconut wood ash mixed with clay, which results in a rich earthy finish. To see the potters in action, visitors are welcome at the Maenam branch - anyone interested is also welcome to have a go at making their own pot. Samui Cera at Just A Detail, Central Chaweng, opposite the Chedi Spa, open 12pm -11pm. Maenam, near Java Teak, open 8am - 5pm
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By far and away the best opticians on Samui and certainly one of the best in the country - as the shops long list of Bangkok based customers can testify to. Using all the latest hi-tech optical equipment, Sawang offers free eye tests and stocks a comprehensive selection of top of the range ultra thin plastic lenses and very reasonably priced designer frames. The shop has been the best seller of Raybans in Thailand for the past four years. It also stocks a full range of Oakley, Dolce and Gabbanna, Gucci, Armani, Prada, Kenzo and Versace sunglasses. Central Chaweng, open Monday - Saturday 11.00am - 9.30pm
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Stocks a small, but impressive, range of high quality baggy beachwear, including many items from their own collection as well as imports from Bali, India, Hong Kong and Singapore. The hand-beaded handbags from Hong Kong are particularly eye catching. The owners spend a lot of time trawling Asia for their stock and the results show in the eclectic selections, which are a cut above most other garments available on the island. North Chaweng, Near Poppies Samui, open 1pm - 11pm
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