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Fly to Koh Samui on your next vacation, and you will be glad you did! This beautiful island is the perfect getaway for tourists looking for pristine beaches to soak up some sun. Koh Samui has a number of beach front resorts, massage spas, safari parks, and waterfalls. There is so much to do and see on this paradise island, that you will soon be booking a second trip!
When it comes to shopping, Koh Samui doesn’t disappoint. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number of shopping markets that you can find in the city. The options are unlimited and the prices are fairly reasonable. Get the inside on where to go and what to buy, in our Koh Samui shopping guide.
Top 8 Koh Samui Shopping Places Where You Can Shop Till You Drop
Here are the best places to shop at Koh Samui:
1. Chaweng Beach Road Shopping
If you do not know what to buy in Koh Samui, simply head to Chaweng Beach Road. This super cute shopping area is touristy with plenty of stores to shop from. This market is compartmentalized into separate areas for jewelry, beachwear, and sports shops, that makes shopping here a real breeze. There are also a number of bazaar-like shops that sell DVDs and clothes for a fraction of what you will pay at Koh Samui shopping malls. Trust us when we say, it can take you a few days to exhaust the vast shopping possibilities at this six-kilometer long market area. This is hands down, the best place to go shopping in Koh Samui Chaweng.
Location: South Chaweng, just off the main street, Thailand
Timings: 4:30 PM – 12 AM
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2. Central Festival Samui
There is no shortage of things to buy in Koh Samui, and the best place to treat yourself to some world class shopping is – Central Festival Samui! Central Festival Samui is one of the largest lifestyle shopping complexes in Samui. Strategically located in the prime of the east coast resort town of the Samui Islands, this huge mall has three storeys and over 90,000 square meters of retail space. The trendy and airy complex boasts of a beautifully landscaped garden that is complete with benches, countless shops and restaurants, and even a kid’s playground. The entire complex has been classified into zones.
Chaweng Port, is the main entrance and houses numerous restaurants and bars. ‘Bird Cage’ is the fashion zone and is located in the central part of the complex. This zone has over 20 large stores that sell high end fashion brands. The ‘Fisherman Village’ zone is a shopping haven for those on the lookout for branded accessories and clothes. The ‘Beach Town Market’ is the last zone and features a partially open-air food arena and a large gaming arcade. Central Festival Samui is a mecca for shopaholics.
Location: Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: 11 AM – 11 PM
3. Lamai Walking Street
Thailand is known for its many walking streets, but Lamai Walking Street is by far the best. This is not the biggest Koh Samui shopping joint, but each booth has something more interesting and intriguing than the previous one. Two perpendicular streets are closed off to traffic, and one is dedicated to clothing, souvenirs, and trinkets, while the other is reserved for food and drink stalls.
This Sunday market is fun to meander around and the event is attended by not just foreign tourists but also locals. Just as you are done shopping, you will stumble across two stages at the end of the road, where local performers will awe you with various musical and fire acts. Be prepared to bargain with the vendors to get a good deal on the merchandise you wish to purchase.
Location: The first entrance to Lamai Beach coming from Chaweng
Timings: 5 PM onward
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4. Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
This one of its kind flea market brings the quiet and sleepy town of Bophut to life! If you have nothing to do on a Friday night, slip into a comfortable pair of sneakers and head to Fisherman’s village walking street. Most of the stalls do sell much of the same items you will come across in all Thai markets, and yet this one has an aura of its own.
You can pick up tees, simple jewelry, sunglasses, exquisite beer cozies and lots more, at the many boutique stores in this market. This is a great place to find a camera shop in Koh Samui, where you can buy yourself a cheap camera, and other electronics. The market also features a range of impressive food and drink stalls, where you can enjoy popular Thai treats such as tempura seafood and delicious banana pancakes for as little as 20 bahts.
Location: Bophut, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: 10 AM – 12 AM
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5. Lamai Night Plaza
Located in the heart of the down, bang opposite Mc Donald’s, you will find a mini-version of the famous Patpong night market. This is a shopping haven for those looking for really cheap merchandise and are prepared to haggle to strike a deal. With plenty of pirated goods, trashy swiss army and ninja knives, knock offs of branded clothes, and the usual display of colorful clothes and flip flops, this is a fun place to get all your Koh Samui shopping done.
While this may seem like a paradise only for those looking for knock-off goods, you will also find stands that sell locally made handicraft such as handmade elephants in varying sizes, trendy sarongs, and colorful lamps. The night bazaar also has a food center, pub, and café to cater to your rumbling tummy!
Location: Tailandia, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand
Timings: 5 PM – 11 PM
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6. Samui Hot Club
There is no place better than Samui Hot Club to enjoy clothes shopping in Koh Samui. This market has rows and rows of tees, shorts, beachwear and colorful sarongs dancing away under the strong ceiling and floor fans that keep the shop cool. Though customers aren’t allowed to try the items and the store doesn’t exchange purchased goods, the vast discounts and bargains make up for the strict rules. Most products sold at the shop are fairly original and make good gifts to take back home, as long as you get the size right!
Location: South of Nathon and downtown Lamai, Thailand
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
7. Maenam Walking Street
Ditch the malls, and head out to Maenam walking street. This lovely market can get noisy on Thursday evenings when the street is packed with people navigating the many interesting stalls, food carts, and mobile cocktail bars. This market has it all. Acres of denim, tees, and charming handicrafts dominate this market. If you are lucky you can also get an almost genuine pair of Ray Ban for a few bahts.
A walk down the street, will take you to a colorfully lit Chinese temple where you can click a few Instagram worthy selfies. Do not rush through shopping so that you are back in time for dinner as there are a number of eateries that serve delicious Thai food. Take your time exploring the many stalls in the market and be sure to smile throughout your transactions and bartering!
Location: Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
Timings: 5 PM – 11 PM (Thursdays only)
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8. The Wharf Samui
If you love shopping, you will love the Wharf Samui which is a stylish cross between the regular Thai markets and an upscale shopping mall. This 5,000 sq m open air market has over 120 units that have an impressive variety of good quality goods on sale. This is a relatively newer market that opened its doors to public in 2014 and features amenities such as an expansive car park.
The Wharf stretches all the way from the famous Beach road all the way to the western tip of Bophut Fisherman village. Though this shopping market doesn’t feature any brand names, there are a number of small boutiques that specialize in fashion clothing and pretty bring back home souvenirs. A food court on the premises serves cheap and authentic Thai dishes.
Location: 62 Moo 1 Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Timings: 6 PM – 12 PM
Further Read: Surin Islands: A Handy Guide To The Tranquil And Thrilling Thai Paradise
Make sure you pay these shopping bazaars a visit on a trip to Koh Samui. Each of these markets have a distinct flavor that is totally worth experiencing, so when are you booking your trip to Thailand? to enjoy Koh Samui shopping.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Koh Samui Shopping
What are some of the things that you should try in Koh Samui?
There are numerous things to do in Koh Samui. The best of them are snorkeling, scuba diving, kitesurfing, sea kayaking, swimming, Elephant trekking, off roading, go Karting, shopping and shooting. However, Koh Samui shopping experience outdoes them all.
What is the best time of the year to visit Koh Samui?
Koh Samui experiences little rain and plenty of daylight in the months of January to April. This is also the best time of the year to visit Koh Samui.
Is Koh Samui a good holiday destination?
Yes. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Koh Samui is a sleepy little village and an exceptional holiday destination.
How many days do you need in Koh Samui?
At least four days are required to cover all the important things in Koh Samui.
What are the best parts of Koh Samui to stay?
Chaweng, Lamai and Bophut, Maenam are some of the best areas of Koh Samui to stay. Sky Dream Villa, Sandalwood Luxury Villas, and Boujis Boutique Resort are some of the most famous Koh Samui hotels to plan a stay at.
Is Koh Samui expensive?
No, it is a budget-friendly option. However, it is a bit expensive compared to that of the mainland. The cost of living depends on you and your priorities.
What should I wear in Koh Samui?
You can wear jackets, jeans, long sleeves, long pants, shorts, and suits in Koh Samui. For women, pashmina and sarong is a great option. Women can also wear bikinis and swimsuits on the beach.
What are the transport options in Koh Samui?
Uber, Grab, Taxis, Motorbikes, Songthaews, and Public Cars are some of the transport options in Koh Samui.
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A writer by choice, a photographer by passion, a seasonal sailor preferably monsoons and a pilot when the wind is just right! When not in the city, I’m often found chasing sunrises in the mountains or sunsets at the beaches!
