Batik
The brilliant colours of Phuket's tropical surroundings can be
captured and taken home in the form of a piece of Batik made right
here on the island.
Sarongs, shirts, bags and light clothing decorated with patterns
evoking themes and colours from the rainforest and sea, are available
at many small stores around Patong.
Leather Goods
Good quality leather goods can be found in markets and department
stores around Patong. Items in department stores are usually available
for a fixed price, whereas in the markets, prices will vary widely
and can be bargained down.
It is best to shop around at a few stalls before settling on any
item, to compare prices and make sure you're not paying too much.
Popular items include jackets, footwear, belts, handbags, luggage,
and various accessories.
You can have leather trousers, jackets or coats custom made at
various shops around Patong.
Nielloware
One of Thailand's more unique handcrafts, Nielloware is a traditional
craft of the southern province of Nakorn Si Thammarat.
Nielloware is the art of applying etched designs made from an alloy
of lead, silver, copper and sulphur, onto silver or gold.
Items ranging from coffee and tea sets to fittings for handbags
and buttons are available in many shops.
Paintings/Pencil Sketches
Choose from traditional or modern Thai themes, or commission your
favourite scene to be replicated in a painting or sketch. Portraits,
sketched or painted are very popular. Many artists draw from photographs,
so that you don't have to sit around for hours.
Some hotels like the Holiday Inn Resort and Le Meridian, have in-house
artists which provide portrait services, and where you can watch
the artists at work in the hotel lobbies most afternoons or early
evenings.
Portraits are available in Sepia, Charcoal, Pastel and Oil Colour,
for around 1,500-2,000 Baht depending on the medium used and size
of the portrait. Takes about 2 -3 days.
On Rat-U-Thit Road leading out of Patong Beach towards Karon, are
a number of shophouses where artworks are ready for sale and special
commissions are accepted. Framing can also be carried out inexpensively
on the island and there are a number of alternatives.
Most art shops can recommend places close to where you are staying.
Cashew Nuts
Highly prized in some parts of the world, the production of cashew
nuts is one of Phuket's lesser known local industries. You can buy
them in their natural raw state, or prepared with a variety of spices,
salt or flavours.
Look for them at any of the local food markets and department stores
around Patong.
Bronzeware
Thailand's high-quality bronzeware has long been a favorite item
for visiting shoppers. Produced by traditional techniques yet employing
a number of modern innovations like a silicon coat to prevent tarnishing,
this craft is employed on bowls and cutlery guaranteed to provoke
admiration at a dinner party back home, as well as on large, striking
figures such as animal, ideal for home decorations.
Patong features an astonishing variety of Thai handicrafts, many
of which are created by craftsmen whose skills have been handed
down for generations. Others are produced in factories using the
latest in advanced technology and quality control.
Patong is also known for designer copy clothing, accessories and
video/CD games etc - of various quality and price range. Check through
the following guide on what to buy.
Textiles
Cotton - Thai cotton products are known for their supple texture,
durability and beautiful colours. A specialty of the North of Thailand,
a broad a range of clothing and household items can be found for
sale in the streets of Patong.
Broad weave cotton shirts, pants and skirts are the perfect antidote
to hot weather, and often breath better than closely woven, fine
silk. Table clothes, napkins and cushion covers in natural, modern
colours make wonderful inexpensive gifts. All such products can
be found in the night markets.
Silk - On the top of the best buy list in Thailand. Sold
in most colours, in various widths, and thickness', or as ready-made
products like shirts, blouses, bathrobes and kimonos, ladies silk
jackets, bedcovers and furnishings etc. Prices and quality vary
greatly, but generally, good quality silk is easily found at the
many tailor shops around Patong and at major hotels. In the night
markets at Patong, mass produced squares of woven silk similar in
size to a sarong, are sold by street vendors at very cheap prices.
Although they are not the best quality silks to be bought, they
are very pretty and great for gifts to take home.
Also available at most markets are imported Chinese silk garments,
which also make inexpensive gifts.
Tailor-made Clothing
Local tailors can copy or make up outfits in a matter of days -
even hours! Many tailors offer special deals offering 2 suits and
a dress or similar for a fixed price. They will design outfits from
magazine illustrations, or copy sample clothes brought along by
the customer.
Usually 1 or 2 fittings are required to get the finer details right.
Choose your cloth carefully. Although the workmanship is good, the
cut may not be and copies of existing outfits tend to give the best
results. Tailor shops are everywhere so check fabrics first.
Furniture
Wonderful antique and contemporary or recreated handcrafted furniture
from Thailand is available in shops on the outskirts of Patong.
Cabinets, tables, dining room, bedroom and outdoor settings and
fittings can also be made to order in a variety of mediums, including
teak, rosewood and bamboo.
Head out of Patong along Rat-U-Thit Road toward Karon Beach, where
there are a few shops lining the road that sell recreations of wooden
antique furniture to order.
Gems, Gold and Jewelry
Thailand is a leading producer of sapphires and the world's largest
cutter of colored stones. Quality items are available at competitive
prices, however unless you are knowledgeable about stones, care
must be taken to shop at reputable specialist stores that will issue
certificates of authenticity.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand issues frequent warnings about
gemstone shops that dupe customers into buying worthless stones
for large sums of money. Thai artisans can also craft jewelry to
suit international tastes, with prices set according to the amount
of workmanship and detail of the individual item.
Gold jewelry and ornaments are also a bargain in Thailand, with
prices fixed according to "baht" weight of the item and
the level of workmanship. Items bought in Thailand can be resold
at current international prices. Excellent bargains in gold chains,
earrings, bracelets, pendants, and other delicate handed crafted
items can be found in Patong and most major hotels offering exquisite
pieces for less than you might imagine, and with guarantees of authenticity.
Cultured pearls are another local industry, and a number of shops
have pearl jewellery.
Lacquerware
A specialty of northern Thailand, neighbouring Burma, and Vietnam,
a wide range of contemporary and antique Lacquerware can be bought
in shops around Patong.
You can find the distinctive gold and black trinket boxes, trays
and chopsticks from Chiangmai. More recently, the creatively coloured
and decorated trays, bowls and homeware originating from Vietnam
have also become available.
Wickerwork Products
Wickerwork products are used in every aspect of daily life in Thailand.
Furniture, baskets, hats, mats, even walls for simple huts, are
made from natural fibre, and created into objects of beauty and
functuality.
The attraction of wickerwork is its simplicity, using the strength
and resilience of cut and dried bamboo and rattan that are woven
into forms that are light, strong, and attractive. You'll find many
shops selling beautifully woven baskets, mats, blinds and other
functional wicker products. |
