Shopping ... one of the joys of being in faraway places!

Here in Khao Lak and Bang Niang, you will have a great deal to choose from - everything from a huge Buddha image to a tailored shirt or skirt and everyday items you might need from the food supermarkets to the pharmacies.

Take a look at the photographs on this page: they will give you an idea of what is on offer. You will have to discover the very attractive prices for yourself!

On the subject of prices, think about bargaining. It is an accepted way of doing business. Probably best to gently get a feel for the values, try alternative sources for what you want and try some test bargaining before you get to the point of wanting to buy. The trick is to get a fair price, paying neither too much nor so little that you have taken the living money from people who rely on these earnings to survive.

A first glance, you might think Khao Lak has all the best shops - but take a little time to discover Bang Niang with its own range of offers from stalls in the market (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and evenings) to very sophisticated ornaments and clothes.

Between the two villages, look out for the firm that makes bamboo furniture ... in the villages around, find the really interesting places like the Saori women's workshop and the Batik children's art centre.

And if you need some mega-retail therapy, Phuket is just an hour or two down the road ...