Looking for what to buy in Koh Samui? This guide highlights the island’s top souvenirs, handcrafted keepsakes, and locally made essentials worth packing in your suitcase.
The first thing that hits you in Koh Samui is the scent — a heady mix of salt air, lemongrass, and sun-warmed coconut. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to bottle the moment, to carry home a piece of island life.
Luckily, the island’s colourful markets and boutiques make that possible. As you wander through Fisherman’s Village or a beachside market in Lamai, every stall tells a story of craftsmen who still weave by hand, of families who have turned age-old recipes into fragrant oils and balms, and of shells and natural fabrics transformed into works of art.
Whether you’re looking for thoughtful gifts or little indulgences for yourself, Koh Samui’s souvenirs are more than just objects; they’re memories in tangible form. Here, we pick out the gems to bring home.
Spa and Self-Care Essentials
Samui’s spa and wellness scene is just as you saw at The White Lotus. This is your chance to stock up on botanical-infused balms, cold-pressed coconut oils, and jasmine-scented soaps — perfect reminders of the island’s slow, soothing rhythm.
Our top picks include:
Panu Natural: Known for handmade body care products crafted from locally sourced herbs and oils. Their boutique in Fisherman’s Village, Bophut, sits just a short stroll from beachside cafés and The Luxe Nomad’s Samui villas, making it the perfect pre-dinner stop.
Location: Panu Natural, Fisherman’s Village, Bophut
Sabai-Arom: A Thai heritage wellness brand offering organic, hand-pressed coconut oil and floral fragrances rooted in Thai tradition. Find their shop at the Central Samui shopping mall in Chaweng, where you can also pick up travel-friendly spa sets.
Location: Sabai-Arom, Central Samui, Chaweng
Secret of Samui: A French-founded natural skincare line, produced ethically using island-sourced moringa, tamarind, and coconut oils.
Location: Secret of Samui, Lamai area
Silk, Handicrafts and Island Style
Pick up beautifully printed fabrics, clothing, and silk scarves from Jim Thompson, an iconic Thai silk and upholstery brand renowned for its craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Their boutique inside Samui Airport’s Departure Hall makes for an easy last-minute stop before your flight.
Orchid House Samui is a treasure trove of island-inspired home décor, woven pandan baskets, linen throws, ceramics, and candles that capture the scent of salt and frangipani. It is located in Chaweng, about 8 minutes by car from Sangsuri Estate.
Nature Jewellery, based in Fisherman’s Village, is a local purveyor of exquisite silver and gemstone pieces, each handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. Don’t miss their open-air stall at the Friday Night Market, where you can browse under twinkling lights.
Taste of Thailand
Bring home the fiery flavour of the island. Perfect for your kitchen experiments back home
La Rhumerie De Koh Samui is Samui’s only rum distillery, run by a French couple blending Caribbean methods with Thai ingredients. Their rum comes in coconut, pineapple, and orange infusions.
Coco So Good is 100% cold-pressed coconut oil, ideal for cooking or skincare. Find it at Tops Market and Big C Supercenter in Chaweng, or at Central Samui Mall for convenient last-minute shopping before your flight.
Where to Shop for Souvenirs in Samui
Beyond individual boutiques, Koh Samui offers lively markets and malls where browsing becomes part of the island experience.
Fisherman’s Village Night Market (Bophut): Featured in The White Lotus, this bustling night market brims with handmade jewellery, silk scarves, home décor, and street snacks. It takes place on alternate days — Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — from 5pm to 11pm. It is a 7-minute drive away from The Luxe Nomad’s Ban Kinaree and the villas of Dhevatara Residence.
Read More: The Luxe Nomad’s Guide to Fisherman’s Village, Bophut
Central Samui Mall: The island’s largest shopping complex in Chaweng is home to Thai heritage brands, cafés, and wellness stores. Perfect for picking up souvenirs in an air-conditioned setting.
Lamai Sunday Market: A more local, family-friendly shopping spot offering traditional Thai trinkets, textiles, and street eats.
Read More: The Luxe Nomad’s Travel Guide to Samui 2025
Local, Non-Brand Souvenirs to Look For
Beyond boutiques and established names, some of the most meaningful Samui souvenirs are the simple, handmade finds you’ll spot in local markets. These are the items crafted by families and small vendors, each carrying a slice of island tradition.
Look out for kalamare, a chewy coconut caramel candy wrapped in palm leaves, a classic southern Thai treat often sold in neat bundles. Carved soaps shaped like flowers or tropical motifs and displayed in hand-painted coconut shells also make lovely, lightweight gifts. You’ll also find Thai fisherman pants, breezy, unisex trousers that roll up easily in your luggage and are perfect for beach days or long flights. Other small keepsakes include woven pandan fans, coconut-wood utensils, shell accessories, and hand-dyed sarongs.
These humble, handcrafted pieces may not come with a brand name, but they’re often the souvenirs that feel the most personal, little tokens of everyday island life that you can only find in Samui’s vibrant markets.