| Shopping
 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.
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