Carry a few memorable pieces of Phuket for fond memories!
A popular destination with shimmering beaches, bustling markets and tantalizing cuisine, Phuket entices loads of visitors to its shores. As you make lasting memories in Phuket don’t fail to pick some pieces of souvenirs crafted to perfection as unique memorabilia of your trip to this charming island.
Value of Souvenirs
Shopping for worthy souvenirs is as much fun as the holiday experience itself as most of you would agree. It is not surprising that the souvenir industry in different parts of the world has become a mighty force of its own. Through these unique creations, the nation carries its indelible mark to the outside world, empowering local artisans to create beautiful crafts using their innovation and innate skills.
Souvenirs in whichever form they come be it ornamental, pieces of jewellery, fabric and other bric-a-brac serve as pleasing mementos of good times experienced in that destination to the visitors while some are gifted to family and friends and become greatly appreciated giving much pleasure to more people.
Phuket Pearls
Not only is Phuket called the Pearl of the Andaman Sea, but the island is also popular for its rich and lustrous cultured pearls. Making the saying pearls are a girl’s best friend, many ladies from Phuket city hotels don’t fail to visit a Pearl Shop to pick their favourite piece of pearl jewellery as a keepsake of their visit to this beautiful island.
When buying a special souvenir such as pearls, take care that you buy it from a reputed dealer in Pearl Jewellery items as there can be fake pearls at cheaper prices. A genuine pearl has a weight and is not as light as fake pearls. Additionally, the exterior texture is not smooth in real pearls there is a slight roughness to it when you gently feel it with your fingers whereas in fake pearls the exterior is very smooth. These cultured pearls of Phuket come in a range of hues with the most common hues being white and cream to black, silver, and grey.
Bigger Pearl Shops are also into pearl culture process so that as a customer you can even do a tour to witness the process which is offered free of charge.
Vibrant Coconut Bowls
These beautiful creations made from coconut shells demonstrate the exquisite craftsmanship of Thai artisans. The humble coconut shell, a wonderful gift of nature, is made into creative items of beauty and richness that belies the simple material used and the cost one pays for it. These colourful bowls can be used as ornamental pieces around the home and as unique gift items to friends and family.
These coconut bowls also come in their natural colour with a refined finish retaining the natural shape and texture. These are truly versatile, being used as cereal bowls, salad bowls, dessert bowls and even to enjoy a fruit smoothie.
Phuket’s Colourful Batiks
Vibrant and eye-catching, Phuket Batiks are quite popular among visitors just as much as you see them on locals. Batik art originated in Java however it is common in Phuket thanks to the Peranakan community from Old Phuket Town. As you go about Phuket note the sarongs, shirts, other garments and even bags and ladies’ purses created from Batik.
Using a process of waxing and dyeing on plain fabric, beautiful pieces of Batik are created of bursts of tropical flowers, swirling colours of nature, marine themes and more. Pick up a few vibrant sarongs and shirts for yourself for your beach holiday in Phuket as mostly done by visitors from many resorts like NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort. This colourful wear will remind you to enjoy another beach holiday at a similarly exotic location in a few more months. Don’t forget to get some colourful Batiks for loved ones which will be greatly appreciated too.
Thai Silks
Being a hallmark product of Thailand, and renowned for its superior quality it is no wonder silks are admired and purchased by visitors to Phuket. Using silk threads of alternating tones Thai silks are loomed totally by hand thus each piece is distinct and has a beautiful sheen of alternating tones that ladies like to possess and show off as in one angle it may seem blue and, on another angle, the garment may look a shade of purple.
Don’t miss a great opportunity to buy authentic Thai silks in Phuket, as there is a huge variety to choose from and silk shops are widely available. Sold as fabric, or ready-made garments like shirts, dresses, tunics, jackets etc. You can buy the material or a ready-to-wear item. You can also get a dress or suit custom-made whilst you are enjoying the holiday as skilled tailors do clothes at short notice.
The best part of Thai Silks is their minor imperfections due to looming by hand, therefore authentic silks can be checked by a slight lump that shows where knots have been made to join threads together.
Thai Antiques
Phuket is full of antique shops filled with age-old traditional furniture items, wood carvings, lamps, stone carvings centuries-old statues etc. which offer a fascinating experience for visitors some of whom spend a few hours exploring these shops as they give an insight into different eras of the nation.
Visit a few of these illuminating places of Thai history to discover whether you can pick up a few authentic items that interest you. Although these shops seem cluttered, they are veritable treasure troves where many artistic and intriguing pieces can be uncovered such as a beautiful wooden carving of an elephant, a serene statue of Buddha, an ornate brass lamp and so on. Such a piece may become a priced piece admired by your visitors back home.
When such an abundance of locally created crafts and souvenirs are in Phuket why not pick a few to take back home for fond memories and share as well?