No vacation is complete without a bit of retail therapy. From roadside vendors hawking trinkets to weekend markets and luxury malls selling one-of-a-kind pieces and brand names, Phuket doesn’t disappoint in that department.
The swanky Central Festival Phuket & Central Phuket Floresta, run by Thailand’s top retailer are two of the biggest lifestyle malls on the island. Expect everything from international fashion brand-names, local handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, to antiques, electronics, and furniture. The latter also has a fabulous 3d theme park and aquarium that is home to over 25,000 sea creatures. And if all that shopping makes you hungry, there are a plethora of restaurants serving Japanese, Thai, Italian, Chinese and much more.
King Power Phuket also has an impressive range of international names and products as well as Thai crafts and souvenirs. Think Hung Boss, Omega, Rolex, Estee Lauder Calvin Klein, Canon. The difference is since the items here are duty-free, you can only collect them after passport control at the airport. But you don’t pay taxes.
One of the newer malls, Limelight Avenue, is an all-day shopping, dining and entertainment venue in Phuket Town. Other than many boutiques, restaurants and bars, it also includes a Tops Supermarket and a food court.
Robinson’s Shopping Center in Phuket Town is one of the oldest department stores on the island. It offers a wide variety of clothes, appliances, cosmetics, shoes, sports gear that won’t break the bank. The four-storey building also includes a food court, KFC, Tops Supermarket and a bank.
Located in Thalang Road, amidst the historical Sino-Portuguese buildings, the Sunday Walking Street Market (also known as Lard Yai) is the perfect way to spend an evening. The roadside market plays hosts to a wide variety of food stalls, mobile bars and vendors selling souvenirs, jewellery, T-shirts, home accessories, art and much more.