From market stalls piled high with fake watches and sportswear to upmarket antique shops, Samui has something to satisfy most shoppers. Bargain hard for market stall purchases - be friendly but unafraid to walk away if you don't like the price. Most enclosed shops have fixed prices.

Antiques & Furniture
Be careful if you're here to buy genuine antiques. There is a thriving industry that produces top-quality reproductions. These objects can be beautiful and are good buys in their own right… provided they are sold at copy prices. Well worth checking out for high quality furniture is the recently opened Java Teak on Route 4169. Tel. 077 447 249.

Books
For a comprehensive selection of new books and all the latest mags, go to Bookazine, opposite McDonald's in central Chaweng. Tel 077 413 616. There are also numerous second-hand bookshops around the island. By far the best is Nathon Books on the same road as the pier.

Discs
The discs at market stalls are obviously pirated, but the quality of CDs can nevertheless be pretty good. DVD's are a bit more hit and miss - a bad soundtrack can frequently render them unwatchable, so ask for a demo if possible. Older films tend to be of higher quality. Games and software should also be treated with caution. Expect to pay from 100-200 baht per disc.

Jewellery
Most of the world's gemstones are sent to Bangkok for cutting and setting, and the prices in Thailand can be considerably lower than elsewhere. Local gold and gemstone jewellery can be a bargain. But beware of unscrupulous dealers who prey on ill-informed customers - every year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand fields over 1,000 complaints about jewellery scams. It's best therefore to stick to established shops such as Classic Gems, Tel. 077 230479. For top-quality silverware, check out Farn Shop next to the Big Buddha Wat, Tel. 077 245 245.

Optical Services
Designer frames and contact lenses are excellent value on Samui. Professional eye examinations, contact lenses, Ray Bans, Oakleys and the latest ultra-thin Japanese lenses are available at Sawang Optical. Tel. 077 230 720, on Chaweng Beach Road.

Beautiful Optical in Chaweng, Tel. 077 230 052, and Nathon, Tel. 077 236 362 stocks a good range of frames, as does Top Charoen Optical at its various branches: Chaweng, next to Pizza Hut, Tel. 077 413 706, and also in front of Chaweng Cove Resortel; Nathon, Tel. 077 420 442; and Lamai next to Weekender Beach Resort. Market stall fakes give no UV protection, despite stickers to the contrary.

Sportswear and Surfware
Adidas gear is made under licence in Thailand and is considerably cheaper than in the West. Similarly, Nike and Reebok also have factories here making clothes and trainers mainly for export, so products crop up in sports shops and occasionally on market stalls. If you want guaranteed authenticity then stick to sports shops, although the copies widely available on market stalls are often pretty good quality. Real surfwear is available at Hardcore Surf in central Chaweng (next door to McDonald's). All the usual suspects such as Quicksilver, Roxy, Surfer Girl, Rip Curl, Oakley and Fresh Jive are for sale.

Swimwear
Life's a Beach specialises in the finest Australian bikinis. Brand names include Seafolly, Wahine, Wet Wet Wet, and Bodypaint. Sizes vary from 6 through to 18 and many are reversible. Bags are by Condura, Australia. (Opposite Central Samui Beach Resort between Osteria restaurant and the Rock Pub. 11am - 11pm).

Tailoring
Samui offers a great deal of choice when it comes to bespoke clothing. Try to leave enough time for at least two fittings. It's always worth negotiating on price if you want several items, and don't be afraid to ask for alterations if dissatisfied.

Thai Silk
Thailand's famous silk remains a perennial take-home favourite. Samui's tailors and fabric shops can provide a wide variety of different colours, designs and quality. It's much cheaper than in the West, but don't be tempted by incredible bargains, especially at market stalls - even if the label does claim 100% silk.

Woodcarvings and Ceramics
Carvings and ceramics are widely available at market stalls in Samui. Much of it originates in the craft centres of Chiang Mai, and although the standard of workmanship is variable, it can be high quality. For coconut-wood carvings unique to Samui, check out the stalls at Hin-Ta and Hin-Yai.

Central Shopping Arcade 
Very smart shopping arcade attached to Central Samui Beach Resort, that's well worth a look for genuine brand goods. Jim Thompson probably needs no introduction and, as elsewhere in the Kingdom, specialises in high quality Thai silk clothes and accessories. Oriental Gallery sells a wide range of authentic Thai and South East Asian antiques at authentically expensive prices.  Magistral sells Italian bikinis in a full range of Western sizes. Splash sells golf gear, G-shock watches, Man U clothing and local brand surfwear.  Try Out has some very elegantly designed handmade silver jewellery. The owners of Armani Suits International may have been nowhere near Milan recently, but the shop is still one of the best tailors in Chaweng and has an excellent selection of international fabrics to choose from. Finally, for visitors in need of a decent haircut, Jack Holt is up to international standards. Central Samui Beach Resort, Chaweng.

Sawang Optical 
By far and away the best opticians on Samui and certainly one of the best in the country - as the shops long list of Bangkok based customers can testify to.  Using all the latest hi-tech optical equipment, Sawang offers free eye tests and stocks a comprehensive selection of top of the range ultra thin plastic lenses and very reasonably priced designer frames. The shop has been the best seller of Raybans in Thailand for the past four years. It also stocks a full range of Oakley, Dolce and Gabbanna, Gucci, Armani, Prada, Kenzo and Versace sunglasses. Central Chaweng, open Monday - Saturday 11.00am - 9.30pm.

D and D Framed Asian Arts 
As the name suggests, D&D sells hand framed antiques from all over Asia. The pieces are all mounted on a Thai silk backing and are high quality, if a little pricey, souvenirs. Pieces are bought from all over the continent and include everything from Burmese opium pipes and Thai Buddhas to Japanese ceramic erotica and Chinese Feng Shui compasses.
The shop has over 180 pieces in stock at any one time, all between 20-65 years old. Certificates of origin and all the necessary paperwork are provided to ensure a swift passage through customs. South Chaweng, Behind Armani Suits.

Siddhartha
Stocks a small, but impressive, range of high quality baggy beachwear, including many items from their own collection as well as imports from Bali, India, Hong Kong and Singapore. The hand-beaded handbags from Hong Kong are particularly eye catching.  The owners spend a lot of time trawling Asia for their stock and the results show in the eclectic selections, which are a cut above most other garments available on the island. North Chaweng, Near Poppies Samui, open 1pm - 11pm.

Samui Cera 
Producing a fine range of high quality ceramics, Samui Cera counts many of the island's top hotels amongst its customers and has two outlets - their headquarters in Maenam, which has imperfect pieces on sale from as little as 30 Baht, and the Just A Detail branch in Chaweng, which sells the top products from its range. Their range includes cups, mugs, plates and bowls and larger items such as sinks and vases. All the pieces on sale are fired at 1250 degrees and are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. There's a wide variety of designs and colours on offer and all the pieces get their base tone from local coconut wood ash mixed with clay, which results in a rich earthy finish. To see the potters in action, visitors are welcome at the Maenam branch - anyone interested is also welcome to have a go at making their own pot.  Samui Cera at Just A Detail, Central Chaweng, opposite the Chedi Spa, open 12pm -11pm. Maenam, near Java Teak, open 8am - 5pm.

Armani International Suits
Armani International Suits, located in South Chaweng on Koh Samui, is one of the islands most respected bespoke tailors, with an emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction.
The brothers and their team of twenty tailors have cut cloth for BBC TV executives, top bankers, insurance execs and an innumerable number of tourists wishing to take advantage of the cheap prices that the low-cost labour in Thailand can allow.

Java Teak 
Mainly aimed at resident ex-pats seeking luxurious furniture for their villas, Java Teak's prices are reasonable enough that, even with additional shipping costs, everything is still considerably cheaper than in the West and therefore well worth considering for a more substantial souvenir. The shop stocks around sixty pieces of handmade furniture at any given time, but can also order over one thousand others from its extensive catalogue. The range includes small chests for 4,000 Baht, comfy Planters chairs for 7,000 Baht, unique Valet stands for only 3,000 Baht and ornate four poster beds for 35,000 Baht. Maenam.  Open 9.30am - 6.30pm.

Benjavadee
Benjavadee is worth a visit to check out what's possibly the largest selection of handicrafts, homeware and furniture available on the island. Everything from ceramics, rattan mats, Buddha statues, coconut wood bowls, china tea services to handbags, jewellery and picture frames are on sale over two spacious floors.
Aimed mainly at expats, there are also some nice larger items of furniture, such as beds, dining tables and wardrobes on sale - though the shop can arrange shipping for tourists interested in larger pieces. Route 4169, Maenam, Open 10am - 7pm daily.

Beautiful World 
One of Samui's better furniture shops, Beautiful World stocks an impressive range of high quality teak, rosewood, mahogany and water hyacinth furniture. Aimed mainly at the export market, the owner Carl Graham guarantees that customers can save between 40 and 50 percent on purchasing similar items in Europe. All the furniture, which includes beds, tables, wardrobes, cabinets, chairs, picture frames and carvings, is made from fully certified sustainable sources, unlike a lot of the wood sold on the island, which comes from illegally logged rainforest in Burma - customers are welcome to view Beautiful World's certificates upon request.  The shop will arrange shipping to anywhere in the world.  Expect to pay around 9,000 Baht to ship two cubic metres to Europe.  Beautiful World, Maenam, Open 10.30am - 7pm daily.

Siri
Owner Sirisopa 'Toy' Premananda originally trained in interior design and brings an artist's eye to her small, elegant, shop in Fisherman's Village. The frequently changing stock is personally sourced by Toy from around the continent on frequent shopping trips and includes eclectic selections such as handbags from India, China and Malaysia, silver jewellery from all around Asia, designer clothes from Hong Kong, bottled orchids from Bangkok and hand carved amulets engraved with Thai or Chinese script. Perfect for souvenir hunters seeking something a little different to take home after their holiday. Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Tel. 077 427 540. Open 4pm - 10pm

Farn Shop 
Owned and run by jewellery designer Sumetta Sangouthai, Exotica is well worth checking for top quality, unique souvenirs of your visit to Samui. Located just up the road from one of the island's biggest tourist attractions, the phallic rocks Hin Tin and Hin Yai, Exotica specialises in jewellery which is handmade by Sumetta and which includes a range of eye-catching stones and settings. Bracelets, necklaces and earrings are all available for as little as 700 Baht. There's also a funky selection of colourful Chiang Rai bags on sale and stunning limited edition hand tinted photos from celebrated, Samui-based photographer, Claudio Cerquetti. Exotica Traditional Thai Boutique, Hin Tin Hin Yai, Tel. 01 538 3444

Exotica Traditional Thai Boutique 
Owned and run by jewellery designer Sumetta Sangouthai, Exotica is well worth checking for top quality, unique souvenirs of your visit to Samui. Located just up the road from one of the island's biggest tourist attractions, the phallic rocks Hin Tin and Hin Yai, Exotica specialises in jewellery which is handmade by Sumetta and which includes a range of eye-catching stones and settings. Bracelets, necklaces and earrings are all available for as little as 700 Baht. There's also a funky selection of colourful Chiang Rai bags on sale and stunning limited edition hand tinted photos from celebrated, Samui-based photographer, Claudio Cerquetti. Exotica Traditional Thai Boutique, Hin Tin Hin Yai, Tel. 01 538 3444.