Littered with powdery, white beaches stretching across azure vistas it is little wonder that the isle of Koh Samui Thailand’s premier beach getaway. But this veritable paradise on earth is fast gaining a reputation as one of the Thai Kingdom’s finest shopping Meccas with bargain prices attracting its beach-loving visitors to the four main shopping regions in the island. Lined with innumerable storefronts selling everything imaginable, shopaholics will be hardly disappointed with the enticing shopping opportunities available at this sun-drenched holiday hub.

Chaweng is undoubtedly Samui’s premier shopping district, with the entire 6km stretch of Beach Road packed with hundreds of shops selling everything from sportswear, T-shirts, beachwear, soap carvings, imitation weaponry and jewellery to computer games and DVDs. In addition to shops dedicated to silk ties, hats and rolling luggage visitors will also marvel at the variety of flower power bags and sandals on offer.  Impossible to explore in its entirety in a day, the hot pick stores down Chaweng include Life’s a Beach, Quiksilver, Hom, Sports Stadium Samui and Phuket Mermaid all of which specialize in sports and beachwear. The Khun Chaweng Shopping Centre on the other hand houses the town’s Saville Row, Alain Delon, Guy Laroche, Lee and Ferand outlets while the boutique haven Chandra is a one stop shop for shoes, handbags and accessories presented with an exotic twist. The Samui Hot Club is another popular venue for clothing items for the whole family, Udomagg & Findig being the preferred locale for souvenirs, wooden trinkets, handbags and footwear.

Highlights along Lamai Beach include 69 Slam Underwear with its top quality sportswear, accessories and Bali imported goods and the Lamai Night Bazaar in the centre of town which has often been compared to Bangkok’s Patpong night bazaar due to the sheer volume and variety of goods available. Asian Lights with its handmade lamps and fixtures and Silvermania’s beautifully designed jewellery and accessories are also worth the buy as are the gems, ornaments, trinkets and scarves at Mr.Samui. The Lamai Fresh Market is also an experience for those in search of produce, take away meals, iced desserts, grilled fish / meat ,beachwear, football t-shirts and toys.

The Bophut Plaza is Bophut’s all-purpose shopping centre while Samui Footwear and Siri are other hotspots frequented by seasoned guests. Elegant dresses and other unique clothing items are all the rage at Siddharta whereas the Samui Robot Group sells quirky toys made from recycled motorcycle and vehicle parts.

Visitors on the lookout for a Ko Samui resort on Chaweng Beach will be more that satisfied with the luxurious Anantara Lawana, Koh Samui. Ideally located within 15 minutes of the Big Buddha Temple and the Santiburi Championship Golf Course this charming Samui beach resort is also a mere 10 minutes away from the airport.