Shopping in Andaman Coast
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Baru
OK, imagine that (fashion) disaster has struck. More specifically, that the ‘bozos’ at the airlines have misplaced your bags. Which means that you have arrived on Phuket with only the clothes on your back – ie sweaty leather shoes, a ‘comfortable’ (read: unsexy) ankle-length skirt and a long-sleeve knit sweater (relax, we know, you were dressed for the plane). But now the sun is shining, the beach boys are beckoning and you need a shot of beach sexy (think skimpy bikinis, beach wraps and candy-coloured flip-flops), and fast. Welcome to your Eden.
reviewed
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B
Heritage Collection
Without a doubt, the owner of this gallery (he has two galleries in Phuket and another two in Bangkok) has the single best collection of traditional Southeast Asian art in Thailand. In this museum-quality showroom there are 3m Buddhas encrusted with precious stones, ancient teak shrines, Buddha’s glorious footprint carved from sandstone and a large alabaster Buddha carved from one rock. Some pieces are for sale (deals are only done face to face and prices can be more than one million baht). Others are just for show.
reviewed
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C
Jung Ceylon
Even anticorporates will have to admit that this is a pretty cool mall. Yes, the major multinationals (Apple, Starbucks, Adidas, er, Dairy Queen) are well represented here, but the Sino-Phuket wing has a decent international restaurant row and the top-floor cinema is plush. Thankfully authorities seem to have dispatched that stall in the back corner that once sold automatic weapons and flak jackets. Yeah, from here on in gunlovers will have to settle for simulated war on the top floor.
reviewed
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Talat Mai
Nudge your way deep into one of Chinatown’s famous capillaries, where vendors sell dried goods, half-alive filleted fish and vats of unidentifiable pickled things. The soi ’s (lane’s) poetic finale is lined with stalls selling elaborate funeral offerings and ‘passports to heaven’ that include paper houses and cars to take loved ones into the next life. You’ll find all the action in Soi 6, also known as Trok Itsaranuphap, off Th Yaowarat.
reviewed
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D
Baan Thai Antiques
A glorious collection of antiques and new-production traditional art from Myanmar (Burma), China, Laos and Thailand crowd this small shop. There are 70-year-old alabaster Buddhas, gongs, temple bells (the real thing), lacquerware, ceramics, enormous doors and teak-wood reliefs. This place is not cheap, but serious collectors won’t mind the expense of shopping at Baan Thai.
reviewed
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E
Lemongrass House
Phuket’s best producer of all-natural health and beauty products. Its hippie-chic shelves are packed with creams, lotions, scrubs, masks, essential oils, shampoos and washes made from all-natural materials. The chunky bars of soap have a cottage-industry feel and smell divine. Oh, and that nontoxic mosquito repellent really does the job.
reviewed
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F
Banzaan Shopping Plaza
Banzaan has two faces. There are the tumbledown shopping stalls with your garden-variety knock-offs and handicrafts if you’re into bargain hunting, and the newly built fresh market. It’s a posh version of a traditional Thai market, with a terrific seafood selection, a food court upstairs and just enough funk to satisfy the soul.
reviewed
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Siam Paragon
A shopper could dive in and never resurface in this airport-sized mall dedicated mainly to a Milky Way of famous luxury brands. More popular is the lobby atrium, referred to by some Thais as their new park, and the basement-level Gourmet Paradise. If you collect trivia, this is allegedly the biggest mall in Southeast Asia.
reviewed
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Baanboonpitak
Ready for a treasure hunt? Hidden in this dusty antique shop is an array of teak sculpture, paintings, some excellent bronze work, massive buffalo-skin drums, bejewelled royal dogs and a lot of high-quality teak furniture. So get dirty and find something beautiful. The sardonically sweet shopkeeper will arrange shipping.
reviewed
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Mae Ubol Market
This market has two shifts. In the morning, head to the warehouse, where you can see a bustling fresh market hard at haggle. It’s an entertaining scene. At 5pm the night market opens for business, meaning you can eat good Thai food and fresh seafood all night long if you want to.
reviewed
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Amulet Market
If you need a charm to stop bullets or even a set of pre-owned dentures, wander through this streetside market catering to fate and fortune and the ability to alter the two. The amulet market begins on Th Maharat and follows the narrow soi that lead to the river.
reviewed
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Pak Khlong Market
Get up early or stay out late to catch this 24-hour flower market, where the city stocks up on orchids, lilies and other tropical flowers. Pak Khlong is also one of Bangkok’s biggest fresh fruit and vegie markets. Located near Saphan Phut (also known as Memorial Bridge).
reviewed
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Or Tor Kor Market
Across the street from Chatuchak Market, Or Tor Kor is Bangkok’s most upscale fresh market, selling what many swear are the tastiest pomelos around. Next to the produce vendors are food stalls that earn equal veneration for duck curries and other street treats.
reviewed
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Mango Tree
You can get a massage at this cute day spa, but the real stars are its branded, handmade spa products. The outdoor shelves are packed with glycerine soap bars, aromatherapy oils, lavender and mandarin bath crystals, and lemongrass shampoo and massage oil.
reviewed
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Island Paradise
Set in the same old relic as Siam Indigo, this lovely and expansive hippie-chic boutique, featuring nothing but up-and-coming Thai designers, has stylishly flowing dresses, silk skirts and blouses, and exceptional jewellery. This shop is a must.
reviewed
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Chatuchak Weekend Market
You’ve got to see it to believe it: this market is a veritable village of vendor stalls selling clothes, decor, junk and collectibles. It is the number-one shopping destination in the city despite the heat and crowds.
reviewed
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Suan Lum Night Bazaar
The Night Bazaar specialises in modern Thai souvenirs, clothes and handicrafts. Highlights among the 3700 stalls are handmade jewellery, one-of-a-kind designer T-shirts and a unique furniture and home decor section.
reviewed
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Kee Plaza
A mod open-air mall opposite La Flora resort that features some of Bangkok’s best up-and-coming labels, including Century 22, in one fashionable row. Venture deeper inside to find the best boutiques.
reviewed
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Elephant Plus
Almost too upscale and tasteful for the Kata crush, here you’ll find high-end designer jewellery imagined by Mrs Mom Tri, as well as speciality stemware, antique carvings and top-shelf silk sarongs.
reviewed
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Amarit
This small but lovely art and antique shop is stocked with Thai paintings and Buddha sculpture. It’s definitely worth a look if you are contemplating converting your garden back home to Buddhism.
reviewed
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Nui Cowboy
Feeling your inner cowboy? Your inner biker, perhaps? Then ride your stallion (steel or otherwise) over to this leather workshop to get your jacket, overcoat, belt, bag or, um, pants custom-made.
reviewed
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V Multi-Gems
Peruse cases of rubies, pearls and sapphires. Sure, it has hideous print shirts and cheesy tea sets, but check out those strands of light-bending cultured pearls. Great deals abound.
reviewed
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Rishoes
This branded shop is the brainchild of a French designer. Inside are boots, hip and splashy handbags, and belts encrusted with semiprecious stones, rivets, beads and shells.
reviewed
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Cháco
A flash boutique that looks like it was shipped straight from Rodeo Drive. The designs here range from trendy to classic and it produces custom suits, shirts and dresses.
reviewed
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Day Market
This market near the town centre traces its history back to the days when pirates, Indians, Chinese, Malays and Europeans traded in Phuket. You might still find some fabrics from Southeast Asia, though it mostly sells food now.
reviewed
