In Hua Hin you can shop for virtually all of Thailand's traditional handicrafts. Hua Hin has become a centre for contemporary art with many galleries featuring works by local artists.

Hua Hin have many tailors in hotels and other areas that will craft a suit or dress to your specifications.

There are numerous opportunities to shop reasonably priced handbags, sunglasses, costume jewellery, prescription glasses, or ready-made clothing.

Bartering is the norm, and you will achieve the best shopping prices doing so with a friendly approach and big smile.

In addition to factory outlets on Petchakasem Road and the large shopping mall at Hua Hin Market Village, you will find small shops who pride themselves in personalised service.

Shopping in Hua Hin is very much a ‘local’ experience, with lots of small shops selling a wide variety of things, making the shopping excursion a ‘discovery’.

Hua Hin Night Market and the Night Plaza in the centre of town, just west of Phetkasem Road, is a great place to eat and do shopping with the locals.

In the evening food vendors set up along Dechanuchit Road between Chatchai Market and the Night Plaza. The combination of these three markets, provides Hua Hin with one of Thailand's largest and most bustling night markets.

There is something for everyone, including handicrafts, traditional Thai food, and many vendors selling seafood for much less than you would find in a standard restaurant.

Another market is the Pae Mae market. It appears only on Tuesdays and is found near the driving range at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club. Here you can watch locals shop for anything that can be transported to a once-a-week marketplace. It's great shopping fun and offers a slice of Thai life sometimes missed by visitors. Excellent to shop for Thai trinkets and handicrafts.

For local handicrafts, the Hua Hin Bazaar, about 100 meters west of the beach, should be your first shopping stop. There are hundreds of items in the shops, from shells and wood carvings to dried fish.

What to buy in Hua Hin

Visitors are often surprised by the variety and quality of goods that can be found in Hua Hin. From exquisite paintings and beautifully-crafted items to silk and colorful printed cotton.

Handicrafts & Art
Hua Hin have a lot of art and handicrafts. You will find products from seashells near the Sofitel Centara Hotel and handicrafts in the nearby Hua Hin Bazaar.

Paintings, carpets, handicrafts and antiques are offered in many shops on Naresdamri Road. Thai people are well-known and admired for their creativity and craftsmanship.

Souvenirs
Souvenir shops can be found in on Naret Damri Road, Decha Nuchit Road, Chomsin Road, Damnoen Kasem Road, and the nearby areas.

Some best buys include the printed cotton and silk fabric called ‘khom ma phat’. Fashion accessories and housewares made of coconut shells, dried seafood, pineapples and a variety of processed fruits.

Fabrics & Tailored Clothing
Thai silk is a good buy, available in many styles and colours. When shopping silk, make sure you buy a quality product. Sometimes Thai ‘silk’ is interwoven with synthetics, which means an inferior product.

Thai silk is famous and highly sought-after worldwide. Originally used exclusively for clothing, it has become popular to be used for upholstery, soft furnishings and a variety of exciting interior-related applications.

Thai cotton is worth consideration because of its quality and because it is ideal for this humid climate. Many shops offer clothing for men and women made from hand-woven Thai cotton. It is also being used for interior decorating applications.

Jewelry and Gemstones
The quality of Thai gems and jewelry is well-known. Sapphires and rubies are great buys, and Thai design styles (modern or traditional) are very distinct and exquisite.

Thai gold sells considerably cheaper than in Europe or the US, and is available in many gold shops around town. The secret of ensuring you are buying from a reputable dealer is to ask for certificates of authentification, as well as professional accreditation.

Pottery & Seledon
Even though Hua Hin in not known for pottery-making, examples of this craft from other regions in Thailand are available in many Hua Hin shops. Originally made in Thailand during the Sukhothai period. Thai Celedon (hand-painted tableware ceramics) remains one of the best things you can buy in Thailand, even though it can tip the luggage scale to scary heights.