in Koh Samui is limited to three major areas, these
are Nathon market, Chaweng market and Lamai market. Many kinds of
retail goods from all over Thailand are available to make sure that
you enjoy great shopping on Samui. Thai silks and handicrafts are
just two examples of Thai goods which have become internationally
famous
Famous Thai Souvenirs:
One of the most perplexing situations
a tourist will have to face before going home is: what souvenirs should
I buy in Thailand? Silk, Woodcarvings, Silver, Brassware... the list
goes on...
Gems & Jewelry
Certain parts of Thailand are blessed with a natural abundance of rubies, sapphires, zircon, onyx, jade and opal. Local cutting, design and manufacturing skills ensure a fine range of quality items with a wide choice of prices.
The colored gemstones sparkling under the lights of the jewelry store windows can make anyone stop dead in their tracks. Samui has a first rate lapidary on the island, while other stones or set pieces of precious and semi-precious quality are hand picked from Bangkok. Pearls are the specialty of the South and they come in a variety of makes, sizes and colors. From Southern pearl farms come the rare south seas pearl, cultured pearls, and Mobe pearls in every shade of cream, to pink, and black. Imitation pearls from this area are made from ground pearl dust and cemented by a secret formula.
Silk
Legendary Thai silk reflects the rich diversity of Thai culture. Thailand's Northeast is home to Thais of various ethnic origins. Each has their own weaving and dyeing styles and techniques. Thai people of Lao origin (Tai Lao) living in the south of the region are renowned for their Mut Mee and Khit silk, usually made into tubular skirts, or Phasin.
In Southern Thailand, Pum Riang silk is produced by Thai Muslim villagers who apply traditional weaving patterns to Japanese silk, The Yok Nakhon cotton of Nakhon Si Thammarat is equally distinctive. Batiks and Patae skirts glow with the brilliant colors of Malay-influenced designs
Tailors
Chaweng and Nathon Town are excellent places to have some custom clothes
made to order by the resident dressmakers and tailors. Whether you
bring them your own personal sketches, or have clipped a photograph
of the style you wish, you can be assured of receiving a quality garment
within few days. Imported linens, blended wools, and print cottons
are popular fabrics to choose from, while the lustrous Thai silk is
hard to resist. For More information on Tailors please visit our
Tailors section Click
Here
Pearls
Cultured pearl production mimics the natural process
to produce pearls of guaranteed quality. Cultured pearl farms are
found principally in southern Thailand, particularly in Koh Samui,
Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Surathani provinces.
Gold
Gold has been used primary in temples and palaces, as
golden Buddha images, jewelry and royal insignia and decorations.
Buddha images are decorated with gold leaf and gold is used to enhance
modern jewelry.
Lacquer ware, Silverware, Nilonware, Pewter ware
Lacquer ware
is an ancient oriental craft, and entails a repeated process of coating
structural bamboo or wood with lacquer before hand-painting it with
elaborate designs. Generally, objects are produced in either gold
and black, or yellow and green on a red-brown background. Silver beating
is another traditional northern craft. Bowls, boxes, cigarette cases,
vases and cutlery are skillfully worked with relief patterns. Nilonware
is a related craft which has been practiced in southern Thailand for
hundreds of years. Nilonware, or khrueang thom, is the craft of decorating
objects with delicately etched designs which are filled with a metal
alloy to produce a smooth patterned surface in black and gold. The
art is widely practiced in Nakhon Si thammarat.
