The major villages of Chaweng, Nathon, Lamai and Maenam all have central commercial districts. For daytime shopping most people head for Nathon, where a wide variety of shops are open all day. Chaweng Center's night market, located along Chaweng's main street and surrounded by many restaurants, stays open well into the evening.

Many souvenirs, clothes, jewelry etc. are produced on mainland Thailand and brought to Samui. By comparison to Bangkok or Chiang Mai some products may not seem like the bargains you had hoped they would be. But they're still likely to be less expensive than they are where you live! Try to make the best purchase possible by getting a fair price.

Many labor intensive items are produced locally, such as custom tailoring, and some of the handmade crafts found on the market. There are also several jewelry manufacturers on the island. Many of these items can be bought at very favorable prices.

A bargaining tip: Smile when you say "That seems a little expensive!" Thai merchants do not respond well to aggressive, loud, or insistent tactics. You may consider yourself a good negotiator, but remember that in the Land of Smiles, the friendlier and calmer you remain, the better deal you are likely to get

LOCAL PRODUCTS

• Salted Eggs are the most famous product of Chaiya district.
• Phumriang Silk are hand-woven products of a Muslim village. The weavers here create their own patterns which are embossed on the silk-Japanese silk sold in Bangkok – by shuttle looms.
• The sweet tasting oysters from Surat Thani are of the highest quality.
• Rambutan, widely known as Ngo Rong Rian, is a famous fruit grown in Ban Na San District.