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| Phuket
Shopping |
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Phuket has some great
shopping. Fine examples of traditional handicrafts, textiles, jewellery
and antiques, gems, as well as more contemporary items from around
the country are available at the markets and specialty shops all
over the island. Phuket is also the source of some of the country's
finest gift and souvenir products. Several large department stores
like Big C, Tesco Lotus, Ocean Plaza and Robinson Department store
are located in Phuket Town.
Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at many other
places bargaining is acceptable and expected. Shopping in Thailand
is fun, easy and very rewarding. Shop smart, compare the prices
and obtain a receipt for goods bought. Some so called guides will
try to take you shopping because they will get commissions so you
will pay more if you go with one.
Ceramics
Contemporary and traditional styles of pottery are available Ceramics
of Phuket. The selection is plentiful and beautiful. Visit their
web site for the gallery and selections.
Antiques
Chinese, Thai, Burmese and
Khmer antiques are excellent buys. Certain pieces
are not allowed for export, especially Buddha images, so be aware
before purchasing. Other pieces may need an export license, but
a reliable dealer will be able to advise on restrictions and any
necessary documentation.
Clothing
Brand name boutiques are available in every
shopping centre, whilst clothing such as T-shirts and jeans are
easily found at reasonable prices from street sellers. Be aware
that most of them are copies of famous brand names on the street.
Some quality custom tailoring is very affordable and tailors can
produce or copy most styles in just a few days.
Cotton
& Batik
Thai cottons have been more and more popular and are a good buy.
Batik shops can be found everywhere on the island especially in
the tourist centres. Cottons woven by tribal people of the North
include bold designs and often lavish embroidery.
Furniture
Rosewood furniture and rattan
items are available in many designs and styles and can also be made
to order. You can find teak wood, one of the best
qualities available in upmarket furniture shops and boutiques. Most
of the professional furniture stores can arrange international shipments
to your home.
Gems
Thailand is 1 of the principal countries in the world known for
the coloured gemstone. Rubies and sapphires
are aboriginal, but almost all coloured gems, including diamonds,
can be found here. Visitors should be careful and buy only from
reliable dealers only.
Laquerware
A specialty of northern Thailand, this craft includes coating split
bamboo or wood with lacquer, then adding intricate hand-painted
designs usually gold-on-black lacquer or yellow and green on a red
brown background. Look for laquerware bowls, trays boxes and other
items for decoration or for souvenirs.
Neilloware
Practised in southern Thailand for hundreds of years, neilloware
is the craft of decorating gold and silver objects with delicate
etched designs filled with metal ware.
Pewterware
Pewter is created with great skill by Thai craftsmen, and the smooth,
silky finish of this alloy is enhanced by a delicate relief decoration.
Pewterware items include plates, vases. boxes and pocket flasks.
Silk
Perhaps the most famous of all local handicrafts,
silk is available in a range of patterns, colour's
and ply's, and is sold by the yard, or as ready-made clothing and
souvenir items.
Thai Orchids
Thailand is well known for a variety and number of orchids.
Their magnificent colour's and durable beauty make them a popular
purchase.
Cashew Nuts
It is the island's well-known local product. Because
of suitable climate, the cashew nuts here have a better quality
than those grown elsewhere in the world. There are different kinds
of cashew nut products available. From roasted cashew nuts with
salt, cashew nuts fried with garlic to cashew nuts coated with chocolate,
honeyed cashew nut brittle and cashew apple juice.
Bird's
nests
These are available on Phuket Island and its neighbouring provinces
and there are high quality bird's nests on sale in Phuket at economical
prices. |
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