Island Shopping
The Money in Thailand
The currency used in Thailand is the Baht (THB). One baht is divided into 100 Satang. There are six different coins and five different notes (bills) in Thailand:
 25 satang coin (Yisip-ha satang)
50 satang coin (Hasip satang)
1 baht coin (Nung baht)
2 baht coin (Song baht)
5 baht coin (Ha baht)
10 baht coin (Sip baht)
20 baht note (Yisip baht) in light green color
50 baht note (Hasip baht) in light blue color
100 baht note (Nungroy baht) in red color
500 baht note (Haroy baht) in purple color
1000 baht note (Nung phan baht) in white color
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A printer friendly version is found here
Koh Samui Shopping Areas
When it comes to shopping, Samui was not a competitive alternative in comparison with Bangkok or most larger cities in Thailand, until the beginning of the 21st century. Prices were higher and the range of shops and goods were rather insufficient on Samui. Nowadays, this has changed for the better.
WOMAN'S PURSE - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
Chaweng Shopping
Chaweng is by far the beach with most shopping alternatives on the island. Nowadays you will find all kind of shops and boutiques here. There are a number of skilled tailors and dressmakers, who can sew a perfect fitting suit or dress of your choice. You will also find several sport shops, beauty shops, clothing and fashion boutiques (brand names in the shops and the copies outside) a few DVD and CD shops, photo shops and opticians etc.
There are also a few gold, silver and jewelry stores as well as souvenir shops offering Thai traditional handicrafts such as Thai silk, lacquer ware, oil paintings and more.
7-Eleven and Family Mart (Japanese chain) and local owned convenience stores are found all over Chaweng, if you are in the need of hygiene products, ice creams, pops, snacks etc.
Talad Laem Din
The Chaweng Market. A traditional Thai market with fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, seafood, meat and also some cheap clothes etc.
Tops Market Place
Tops is a modern supermarket situated in central Chaweng, just North of McDonald's and close to the beach. Here you'll find a wide selection of local and imported food and articles. If you want to buy food from outside Thailand, Tops is a good choice.
Tesco Lotus
Tesco Lotus is a large shopping center, located between Chaweng and Bo Phut, north of Bangkok Hospital. In Tesco Lotus you will find food and groceries, clothes, household equipment, electronics, toys, office equipment, furniture's, tools and car accessories etc. A modern cinema and bowling alley is located in the same complex.
HomePro
In the same building as Tesco Lotus you will find Home Pro (Home Product Center). This store has all kind of electronic tools and household equipments such as refrigerators, freezers, fans, air-condition systems, TV sets, DVD players, music systems, domestic appliances, vacuum cleaners and some furniture etc.
FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
Lamai Shopping
In the Lamai area you'll find a number of small shops and boutiques. Especially along the beach road and in Ban Lamai (Lamai village) on the Ring Road. You will find the same range of products as in Chaweng but in a smaller scale.
Many 7-Eleven and Family Mart and local owned convenience stores are also found around Lamai area. Friendly Mart, in middle Lamai, has a good selection of both Thai and foreign food, drinks and snacks.
Talad Lamai - Lamai Market
Lamai Market is a traditional food market in Lamai with about same assortment as in the Chaweng Market but the one in Lamai is much smaller. It is located at Ring Road, close to the PTT petrol station and Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri bank).
Top Harvest
In Top Harvest you are able to buy a wide range of imported food and ingredients such as ham, cheese, sausages, salami, flour, bread, cream and much more. The shop is located a little south of the Lamai temple (Wat Lamai).
Villa Coco Super Market
Here you will imported products and brands. Everything from American peanut butter to Norwegian or Swedish crisp bread. Located in the same shopping alley as Buddy Samui Boutique Hotel in north Lamai, opposite Buddy Beer Restaurant.
Thai Fisherman's Pants Shop
This specific kind of comfortable trousers have been worn by fishermen in Thailand for centuries but the origin of the trousers is disputed. Some fisherman's pants comes with a attached belt made of the same fabric as the trousers, while other pants require that you use them together with your own belt.
Today the pants are not just worn by fishermen, but also by backpackers, yoga instructors and people in general. They have become very popular as they both are very comfortable to wear and attractive.
If you are looking for genuine Thai fisherman pants in Koh Samui, there is a shop available in Lamai, close to the beach and a bridge that takes you to there. The pants are available in many fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, hemp and various organic materials. The quality is very high. For further information, their location and contact details, please check out their website here
FISHERMEN'S PANTS ON A LINE - Photo by unknown
MANNEQUIN - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
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Nathon Shopping
In Nathon you will find several souvenir and clothing shops as well as banks, pharmacies, electronic stores, household shops and also a few supermarkets and department stores. There are also several Thai banks located in Nathon.
Maenam - Bo Phut Shopping
Maenam and Bo Phut has been developed with new shops and convenience stores (7-Eleven etc) the last years. A range of souvenir shops are found in the area as well.
TROPICAL FRUITS - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
Koh Phangan Shopping Areas
In Thongsala and Had Rin you will find the same range of products and shops as on Koh Samui but in much smaller scale. You'll find batik shops, pharmacies, handicraft/souvenir shops, photo shops, 7-Elevens and local marts etc.
KOH PHANGAN SHOP - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
Koh Tao Shopping Areas
Sairee and Mae Had offers basic shopping facilities. But there is no problem to purchase diving equipment, food, snacks, drinks, sunscreen lotion, clothes, swim suites, hygiene products and medicines etc.
Don't make a thief happy while staying here!
Shopping in Bangkok
Thailand, and especially Bangkok is a metropolis of shopping with low prices and a very wide range of shopping facilities. Click on the link below for further information.
Guide to Bangkok shopping
A BUNCH OF CAPS - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
ATM Machines and Banks
Nowadays you'll find many, many ATM's (Automatic Teller Machine) on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. These accept most credit, debit and electron cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB and Diners Club etc. There are also several banks in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan as well as even more micro brand banks or exchange offices.
Banks in Thailand
All major Thai banks are represented on Koh Samui. You will also find these banks in Suratthani and a few of these on Koh Phangan and Koh Tao:
Bangkok Bank
Bank of Ayudhya (Krunsri Bank)
Kasikornbank (Farmers Bank)
Krung Thai Bank
Siam City Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
Thai Military Bank
Buy Thailand related books, DVD, CD online here
Send flowers to someone in Thailand here
A daily updated currency converter is found here
GAS STATION, PHANGAN - Photo by Jens W - Kohsamui.org
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Tip of the top » Most department stores in Thailand have only genuine brands, but you can never be sure on the street ;-)
