Koh Samui is a relatively unknown island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is the third-largest island in Thailand and is often overlooked as a vacation destination, making it the ideal holiday spot for those who want to escape crowds and noise. The island has plenty of stunning beaches and a fair portion of it is covered in lush greenery. The best time to visit is between January and March, as that is when the island enjoys perfect beach weather.

Although Koh Samui is mainly frequented for its excellent beaches, it is also something of a shopping destination. There are enough of markets, shops and malls to satisfy even the choosiest of shoppers. Whether one is looking for high quality souvenirs to commemorate the trip or just for a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, the Chaweng is the place to go. Chaweng is one of the most developed areas on the Thai island and is home to numerous shops. The Beach Road at Chaweng is approximately six kilometres long and is lined with a multitude of shops selling goods such as clothes, handicrafts and even DVDs.

Lamai is another highly developed area that has excellent shopping opportunities. Visitors should try to visit the Lamai Night Plaza, which, as its name suggests, is only open at night. It is a terrific spot to get wooden souvenirs and also has an excellent food court. As with all markets in Koh Samui, bargaining is expected. The Maenam area is not filled with shops, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. The place is filled with furniture shops that will even handle the export part for a reasonable fee.

Tourists can stay close to the island’s shopping centres by getting accommodation at a quality Koh Samui Resort such as the luxury offerings of the Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui. The hotel occupies a tranquil stretch of land along the northern portion of Chaweng Beach. Not only does this stylish Chaweng Hotel boast a host of excellent amenities, it also has facilities for a variety of activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and deep sea fishing. For those looking for a nice, quiet retreat, this is an ideal option.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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