Chaweng Shopping

Where to Shop and What to Buy in Chaweng Beach

Most of the choice shopping in Chaweng is located along the Beach Road and, as is often the case in Thailand, is compartmentalised into areas for beachwear, jewelry, sports shops, with a long thread of bazaar-like shops selling clothes and DVD's the whole length of the road.  It'll take a few days to thoroughly exhaust the shopping possibilities in Chaweng as the Beach Road is some six kilometres long and many stores do not open until midday or later.

The central part of the road is a one-way system (heading south) so if you are on a motorbike, expect to loop back along the inner, Ring Road road. It is not advisable to attempt to shop with a car here as space will not permit.

Shopping Malls & Supermarkets

Peripheral to Chaweng and along the island's Ring Road you will find several malls and supermarkets

Tesco Lotus

This shopping mall is home to a wide selection of shops, restaurants, a food court, snack bars, a bowling alley and even a multiplex cinema showing Thai and western movies. Here, you'll find a large supermarket with surrounding one-off boutiques, banks, as well as a Levi's outlet, Triumph swim and underwear, brand-name watches, a KFC branch, an MK restaurant, Black Canyon coffee shop, a sportswear and accessory shop and everything you need for a major shopping spurge. Children's play area included.
Location: On the Ring Road between Chaweng and Bohput
Tel: 077-245400
Open: 08:00 – 24:00

Big C

Another large mall featuring a central supermarket with many satellite stores selling goods ranging from gold jewelry and cell phones to Persian carpets, sportswear, fashion accessories and children's toys to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. There are plenty of restaurants in case you feel hungry and a few banks in which to exchange money as well as a big, but bizarrely designed parking lot.
Location: On the Ring Road between Chaweng and Bohput
Tel: 077-960711
Open: 09:00 – 24:00

Makro

Makro is a high volume, low price, no frills cash & carry wholesaler, selling a full range of food and non-food products.
Location: On the Ring Road between Chaweng and Bohput
Tel: 077-96 0140-57
Open: 08:00 – 22:00

Wine Connection

Probably the best wine outlet in Samui – Wine Connection has a good selection of both Old and New World labels that are carefully transported and well presented. Given Thailand's exorbitant wine taxes, Wine Connection does a sterling job at attempting to keep prices as low as possible. 
Location: On the Ring Road between Chaweng and Bohput
Tel: 077-246071
Open: 10:30 – 21:30

Tops

Located downtown Chaweng, this is the place to stock up your mini-bar with reasonably priced snacks, drink and fresh fruits. Just a stroll off the main road, it's surrounded by restaurants and bars to add that extra bit of fun to your shopping trip.
Location: Central Chaweng
Open: 09:00 – 21:00
Tel: 077-231186

Chaweng Street Shopping

Starting from north Chaweng heading south, as most people do on Chaweng shopping expeditions, you will come across lots of street-side stalls selling T-shirts, cheap jewelry, DVD's, computer games, knock-off 'branded' clothes, soap carvings, imitation weaponry and a host of other goods you'll not be sure you need or not. Here, there are shops dedicated to rolling luggage, lots of flower-power bags and silk ties as well as sandals and hats.
Location: All along the Beach Road
Open: 11:00 – 24:00

Tailors

You'll be constantly approached along the Beach Road by Nepalese tailor touts who will ask where you are from and, in many cases, speak your language. If you've got time, have a chat and see what they have to offer. You'd be surprised at the skill of Thailand's Indian and Pakistani tailors but please remember to go for at least three fittings, do not leave purchasing to the last minute and do bargain hard as the opening prices are silly.
Location: All along Chaweng Beach Road
Open: 11:00 – late

Pharmacies

Watson's

Watson's pharmacy is located in central Chaweng near Soi Green Mango and has everything you might need while on holiday. They also have some great weekly deals so keep your eyes open while wandering around. There is a small confectionery section selling international sweets.
Location: Chaweng Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 23:00
Tel: 077-230327

Boots

There are two Boots stores in Chaweng, one in the centre near Tropical Murphy's and the second in the northern end of Chaweng. Open from 10am every day, this is slightly more expensive than Watson's with a wider range of pharmaceuticals.
Location: Central Chaweng Beach Road.
Open: 10:00 – 23:00
Tel: 077-413724

Opticians

Shoppers looking for bargains in eyewear will be in seventh heaven along Chaweng's Beach Road. Top Charoen and Beautiful Optical are both heavily represented and pretty much always have 'two-for-the-price-of-one' deals going as well as free, computerized eye tests.

Sawang Optical

By far and away the best opticians on Samui and certainly one of the best in the country is Sawang Optical. Using all the latest hi-tech optical equipment, the shop has been the best seller of Raybans in Thailand for the past few years. It also stocks a full range of Oakley, Dolce and Gabbanna, Gucci, Armani, Prada, Kenzo and Versace sunglasses.
Location: Central Chaweng
Open: Monday – Saturday 11:00 – 21:30
Tel: 077-230720

Jewelry

Classic Gems

Several gems shops line the road near Centara Grand Beach Resort. The largest of these being Classic Gems where you can order bespoke jewelry or choose from a wide range of rings, necklaces, bracelets and broaches. This is a reliable jewelry specialist with certified gemstones supplied and cut at the shop's own private factory.
Location: Opposite Centara Grand Beach Resort, south Chaweng
Open: 13:00 – 21:00
Tel: 077-230479

Sportswear

Most of Chaweng's sports and beachwear shops are located between central Chaweng and McDonald's and Tropical Murphy's – on either side of the road. These include Sports Stadium Samui, Life's a Beach, Hom, Phuket Mermaid, Quiksilver

Adidas

The signature black-and-white sports store is hard to miss along the Beach Road and even though prices are higher than on the street they're still a lot lower than in the west as these sports shoes are fabricated under license in Thailand. You can even trade in your old shoes here.
Location: Central Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-422284

Sports Stadium Samui

Sports Stadium not only stocks sports gear but also laid-back beachwear, baggy pants, T-shirts and sunglasses
Location: Central Beach Road
Open 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-422131

Life's a Beach

Stocking original imported Australian beachwear at a slightly higher cost than normal but better quality than those of its neighbours, Life's a Beach will have you looking classy and sassy on the sand.
Location: Central Beach Road to Northern Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-422630

Hard Core Surf

Selling Quiksilver surfing gear as well as swimming accessories, beachwear, sunglasses and all the paraphernalia that a surfing dude needs, Hard Core Surf has it all in quality beach gear.
Location: Next to McDonald's, Chaweng Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-413710

Books

Bookazine

If you need a book to read by the pool, Bookazine (two branches in Chaweng) has a great selection ranging from the latest international bestsellers, trashy novels and even classics. Alongside some beautiful hand-painted greetings cards, Bookazine also sells western newspapers and magazines. The chain stocks a huge range of guide and information books about Thailand, covering everything from the language to the food.
Location: Central and Northern Chaweng Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-413616

Clothes

Apart from the ubiquitous street-stalls selling knock-off clothing, Chaweng has plenty of upmarket boutiques and malls with fixed prices.

Khun Chaweng Shopping Centre

This shopping plaza is home to several western stores and branches off the sometimes claustrophobic Beach Road, allowing shoppers space and a breath of fresh air. Here, you can find a selection of individual concessions stocking a vast array of Western brand names such as Lee, Alain Delon, Saville Row, Ferand and Guy Laroche.
Location: Central Chaweng, Beach Road
Open: 10:00 – 22:00

Chandra

An exotic boutique retailing unique clothing and shoes, as well as handbags and fashion accessories, Chandra is certainly a class above the T-shirt and fake sunglasses brigade that surrounds it. The boutique features funky, exotic fashion sourced from around Asia, and exclusive designs from Bali. They stock many sizes, and the fabrics utilised are perfect for the tropics.
Location: Two branches – on the Beach Road near McDonald's and a second branch opposite Via Vai Italian Restaurant
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-422311

Udomagg & Findig

Never mind the weird name, this is the place to go if you're looking for footwear, handbags, hold-alls, textiles and souvenirs of varying quality. With the coolest air conditioning system in Chaweng, it's definitely comfortable shopping here. The store also sells charming wooden figurines and toys.
Location: Central Chaweng Beach Road (Two outlets)
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-413307

Samui Hot Club

Three floors of T-shirts, fisherman's pants, skirts and dresses, kids' clothes, sarongs, beachwear, shirts, hats and accessories, Samui Hot Club is one of the most colourful shopping experiences in Samui. The cheap (fixed) prices attract clients as well as the breezy interior. You can buy almost an entire wardrobe here.
Location: Central Chaweng Beach Road, opposite Tropical Murphy's
Open: 14:00 – 23:00
Tel: 077-422462

Jim Thompson

Named after the man who single handedly revolutionalised Thailand's silk industry, Jim Thompson sells all things silk: shirts, skirts, jackets, ties and even cuddly toys, all come in slinky silk and are expertly cut. If you're looking for quality souvenirs from Thailand, look no further.
Location: Centara Grand Beach Resort
Open: 10:00 – 22:00
Tel: 077-230521

Good to Know

Recent years have seen the arrival of smart, air-conditioned shopping malls offering Western brands and a few funky boutiques. It is easy to while away an afternoon or evening strolling down Chaweng Beach Road checking out the products on offer, and this may be the easiest way to browse for souvenirs. In fact, unless you need something specific, or want to visit some of the 'destination' stores listed below, then the roadside goods are replicated many times all along the strip so just take a walk and see what makes you want to reach for your wallet.

When buying from market and street-side stalls, bargaining is normal, and initial prices quoted can be quite high. Always work out what you are happy to pay, and engage in the bargaining process with a smile. If you don't manage to seal a deal, just politely decline and move on.

As well as souvenirs and tourist gear, it is also possible to have suits and dresses tailor-made, to buy or order custom-made fine jewelry, to get a free eye test and have designer glasses prepared, or even to order art canvases from catalogues or have a portrait painted. When having clothes tailor-made, try to allow time for two to three fittings in case alterations are needed, and if you want to purchase fine jewelry, be sure to visit only reputable, accredited stores. For those who need a visit to an optician try one of the nationwide chains such as Beautiful Optical or Top Charoen, both heavily represented along the central stretch of the Beach Road.

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