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Designer Phuket
KERRIE HALL HIGHLIGHTS WHERE TO BUY QUALITY WARES ON PHUKET ISLAND
PHUKET’S growing popularity as a travel destination – and new status as a favourite of expats for an ideal home base – has seen an explosion of stylish shopping venues in recent times. As a microcosm of thailand’s macrocosm, the island boasts funky wares from around this Asian Kingdom and collectibles from all over the region.
Added to the equation is an emergence of local artists, cra’ speople and designers who create their own versions of paradise – from fantastical art to gorgeous silk garments. So whether you need to decorate your new home in the sun or pick up the perfect souvenir from your holiday abroad, there’s sure to be something to suit you. The trick is knowing where to look.
NORTHERN PHUKET
The Plaza Surin is undoubtedly one of the more glamorous shopping centres on Phuket. Located at Surin Beach, on the main road between Bang Tao and Kamala Beaches, the Plaza is the epitome of style and sophistication – its two levels boast a dozen stores devoted to fashion, art, décor and dining.
Here, Creation Tamarine offers the island’s most unique collection of silk, cotton and linen décor accessories fi nely embellished with embroidered motifs and a gorgeous collection of fi ne silk pyjamas, robes and oriental-style ladies’ fashions. French-born owner Sophie Roumeliotis designs the entire collection, which is 100% made in Phuket.
Also at the Plaza, don’t miss stopping by Candere for ever so chic homeware; Lola Boutique for exquisite Indian-inspired handmade beaded resort wear; and the Ginger Shop next door for upmarket, designer jewellery, fashion accessories and whimsical home décor items.
The Laguna area of Cherngthalay is a smorgasboard of arts and antiques from all over South-East Asia and China. Galleries such as Oriental Antique City, thai Terrific, Ceramics of Phuket, Art of Living and Heritage Collection, clustered at the entrance to the Laguna Resorts complex, are well worth a visit for the heritage and quality contemporary shopping available.
Inside Laguna Resorts, the Canal Village is a casual courtyard style retail centre with several interesting stores. Internationally renowned silk retailer Jim Thompson has two stores at the village with a fabulous array of exquisite silk furnishings and fashion collections. Mandalay is another décor store offering a fresh, modern range of designer accessories.
PATONG
Aside from cheap copies and tourist souvenirs cluttering its sidewalks, Patong is also a centre of growing attention for shopping with the soon to be completed Jungceylon Centre – promising a new realm of retail recreation. In the meantime, the district is home to some interesting art stores, fashion boutiques and local ! ai marketplaces offering an array of jewellery, local crafts, kitschy clothes, music and more.
Ladies looking for European clothes’ sizes (not always easy to fi nd in thailand) should not miss Phuket Mermaids, a range of high quality ladies’ swimwear, lingerie, beachwear and leisurewear by Nuria, a Spanish designer based on Phuket. ! e Patong store is located at the new beachside Andaman Plaza.
A few doors down is the newly-opened ree Sisters Fashions with a great range of European-inspired street wear, including retro tops and ethnic beachwear.
Another interesting gem is the boudoir-like La Diva Boutique with a collection of accessories, jewellery and other bric-a-brac. The store is an extension of the sultry La Diva restaurant in Soi Diva, off Rat-U-Thit Road.. Down the same road is a gorgeous new store, e Silk Closet, which features an exquisite range of silk fashions for ladies.
On the art front, boutique gallery World of Paintings showcases stunning traditional, contemporary, and mixed media works by talented and well-known artists. Other artists’ galleries can be found along Phrachanukhro Road – check out Shin Gallery, Manu Art Gallery and TST Gallery along this row for original art pieces and quality reproductions. Precious Phuket is also a feast of great thai collectibles.
RAWAI-NAI HARN
On Phuket’s far south, Rawai Beach is renowned for a village atmosphere of seafront seafood and barbecue restaurants. However, before tucking into lunch, there are several stores to explore.
Antipodes is run by a Burmese Shan family who hand-carve all the timber furniture and sculptures.
Six Senses Gallery at Evason Resort & Spa is a welcome surprise with a signature range of spa products, designer bed linens, pillows, cutlery, glassware and accessories.
Rawai, on the other hand, offers a few funky shell accessory stores for that ’70s beach shack look.
Nai Harn Beach district is blooming with new stores. Chokechai Interiors Casa has some interesting showpiece ‘ ai and regional arts.
Next door is the Odyssey Health Centre for unique thai spa beauty products while a short distance toward the beach is Orchid Bungalow Porcelain & Antiques, with a fabulous array of Chinese Imperial porcelain and bric-a-brac.
Country Home Furnishings & Floristry is a hive of antique-style furniture and arts fashioned from recycled timbers. Mr Kim, an awarding-winning fl orist, has added a café with great coffee, tea and jazz faves.
Onward to the Nai Harn-Kata Beach junction, turning left are several fantastic art galleries which are not to be missed.
Mantra Art, on the left , is a must — but by appointment only. ‘ e artist-in-residence Kathy Manthei creates stunning collector art of Asia-infl uenced mixed media on canvas, but is often in the United States exhibiting her works.
Just down the road is Symbol of Life Gallery, an eclectic collection of nature and life art in a forest garden created by original oil and acrylic artist Niran Chanhom.
KATA-KARON
From Nai Harn, the road meanders upward along a lush-green forest-clad, sea-view road to Kata Beach. Don’t miss the groovy reggae bar at the look-out area for fantastic coastal vista and a cool afternoon cocktail.
At Kata, several stores stand out from the crowd: e Boathouse Gallery for textiles and exclusive decorative objects from around ‘ ailand and Asia; and Earth to Art, a pottery and ceramic store opposite Dino Mini-Golf Park along the Kata-Karon Beach Road.
PHUKET TOWN
Phuket Town is a feast of art and antique galleries, handicraftstores, boutiques and markets. A full day is required to journey through the historic Sino-Portuguese streets and alleys to discover the treasures on offer.
Rinda Magical Art Studio is home to Jay-Da & Watcharin Rodnit – a magical couple who share their joy and love for life and nature with abstract oils and mixed media; Oriental Origin, a historic shophouse of unique collectables, silk clothing and accessories from South-East Asia; and Phuket Fine Art Gallery, an exhibition featuring famous and unseen ‘ ai and Asian works of mythology, legend and contemporary inspiration.
On the outskirts of Phuket City (heading toward Patong), looms the super-shopping strip of Tesco Lotus, Index Living Mall, Big C and the giant Central Festival with international brand supermarkets, boutique specialty outlets and thai handicraft markets. Central Festival is three fl oors packed with an amazing array of designer label fashions, shoes and accessories, a Central department store, spa and beauty boutiques, a large cinema and a good selection of cafes and restaurants.
Last but certainly not in the least, worth mentioning is Khun Tawatchai, an awe-inspiring local ‘ ai batik artist and art teacher whose voluptuous female goddess works are displayed on the softly lit and perfumed walls of the Perfection Beauty Boutique & Fashion Café. Find this outlet on the eastern road from the city to Chalong Bay, the port for departing daytrips to outer islands and coral reefs.
Happy shopping!
CONTACT DETAILS
NORTHERN PHUKET Art of Living, entrance of Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 325148; Ceramics of Phuket, 71/3 Srisoontorn Road, tel +66 (0)76 272151, www.ceramicsofphuket.com; Heritage Collection, entrance of Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 325818; Jim ompson, Canal Village, Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 270957, www.jimthompson.com; Mandalay, Canal Village, Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 270956; Oriental Antique City, entrance of Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 324312; ai Terrifi c, entrance of Laguna Resorts, tel +66 (0)76 271126; e Plaza Surin, 5/50 Moo 3 Cherngthalay, tel +66 (0)76 271241, www.theplazasurin.com
PATONG
La Diva Restaurant & Boutique, Soi Diva off Rat-U-Thit Road, tel +66 (0)76 292851; Manu Art Gallery, 55-57 Phrachanukhro Road, tel +66 (0)76 345897; Phuket Mermaids, Andaman Plaza, % aveewong Road, tel +66 (0) 79 252184, www.phuketmermaids.com; Precious Phuket, 67 Phrachanukhro Road, tel +66 (0)76 346139; Shin Gallery, 69/2 Phrachanukhro Road, tel +66 (0)1 787-1244; e Silk Closet, 198/9-10 Rat-U-Thit 200 Pee Road, tel +66 (0)76 344126; ree Sisters Fashions, 188/2 % aveewong Road, tel +66 (0)47 625543; TST Gallery, 51 Phrachanukhro Road, tel +66 (0)76 344648; World of Paintings, Phuket Grand Tropicana Hotel, 48 Ruam Jai Road, tel +66 (0)76 340397
RAWAI-NAI HARN
Antipodes, Vichit Road, tel +66 (0)1 607-8411; Chokechai Interiors Casa, Nai Harn Beach Road, tel +66 (0)4 837-4429; Country Home Furnishings & Floristry, Nai Harn Beach Road, tel +66 (0)76 388430; Mantra Art (by appointment), Viset Road, tel +66 (0)6 120-5536; Orchid Bungalow Porcelain & Antiques, Nai Harn Beach Road, tel +66 (0)76 957-9325; Six Senses Gallery, Evason Resort & Spa, 100 Vised Road, tel +66 (0)76 381010
KATA-KARON
Earth to Art, Karon Beach Road, tel +66 (0)76 344376; e Boathouse Gallery, 182 Koktanod Road, tel +66 (0)76 330015
PHUKET TOWN
Central Festival, 74-75 Wichitsongkran Road, Phuket City, tel +66 (0)76 291111, www.centralfestivalphuket.com; Oriental Origin, 97 Dibuk Road, tel +66 (0)98 106526; Perfection Beauty Boutique & Fashion Cafe, 1/10 Moo 1, Soi Songkhun, Chaofa Road East, tel +66 (0)76 264295; Phuket Art Gallery, 74 Talang Road, Old Phuket Town, tel +66 (0)76 258388; Rinda Magical Art Studio (by appointment), 27 Yaowarat Road, tel +66 (0)6 691-7839
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