Central Samui
Air-con when you need it, open-air wings when you don't, and a food court worth the trip on its own.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–22:00
- Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
- Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Tours that include Central Samui
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Central Samui.
This placeCentral Samui: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See prices
FoodStreet-food tours in Koh Samui
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursKoh Samui day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
This is where you go when the beach has beaten you and you want cold air, a haircut, a phone charger and something to eat, all in one stop. It's the biggest mall on Samui and it's built as a mix of enclosed sections and open-air wings, so you can dip in and out of the heat as you walk. Shops run from international brands to local stalls where artists sell handmade things, which is where I'd look for souvenirs rather than the tourist shops along the beach road.
The food is the part I'd actually plan around. There's a big food court with a night market section doing Thai dishes, plus cafés, juice stalls and proper sit-down restaurants. Fresh watermelon juice comes up again and again in the reviews. Families get a supervised children's play area that takes toddlers, which is rarer here than you'd think. The trade-off is the open-air stretches, which get warm in the early afternoon. Come after four and it's a different place.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Central Samui, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This is a great shopping mall with a huge number of shops, as well as many cafés and restaurants. There is also a very nice children’s room, even for very young kids, with staff supervising them, which is a big plus. The location is excellent, and it is especially nice that Chaweng night market is located nearby, making the area even more lively and convenient to visit. In addition, there are lots of entertainment options, so there is plenty to do besides shopping. If you are traveling with children, this mall is definitely worth visiting.
It’s a huge indoor/outdoor mall with various “wings” of stops. There’s also a handful of stalls with local artists selling goods. Great location on Koh Samui to get your shopping done! There’s also a baby market right outside the shopping mall, as well as the Chaweng Night Market across the street.
Central Samui Mall - one of Koh Samui’s top shopping and lifestyle destinations, offering a mix of international and local brands, a vibrant food court, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 11,280 reviews on Google.
209 209/1-2 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุด Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore markets & shopping nearby
All within 1 min walk of Central Samui.
H&M
Popular Swedish fashion chain offering affordable clothing, swimwear, and accessories on Koh Samui.
Chaweng Night Market
Three nights a week only, and Saturday is the big one, with extra stalls and a proper spread of food.
UNIQLO CentralFestival Samui Store
If you packed for a beach and got sunburn, this is where you replace the wardrobe for cheap.
C Mui Market - Foods&Souvenirs Market
Come for the food stalls and live music, not the clothes rails, and price-check before you commit.
Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Claim Your VAT Refund
Spend 2,000+ THB at a single store displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists' signs, get a yellow form at the register, and claim 7% VAT back at the airport. It adds up fast on bigger purchases.
Central Samui: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Samui worth visiting?
Central Samui holds a 4.4★ rating from 11,280 Google reviews — a strong rating for markets & shopping in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Central Samui?
Central Samui is typically open 10:00-22:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Central Samui?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
Where is Central Samui located?
Central Samui is at 209 209/1-2 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุด Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Also popular in Koh Samui
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 1 Branch)
Ethical elephant sanctuary in Maenam offering daily hands-on encounters with rescued elephants in a jungle setting.
Wat Phra Yai
A 12-metre gilded Buddha, free entry and 360-degree views over the bays: half an hour well spent.
Hin Ta Hin Yai
Two rude-shaped rocks, free to visit, worth twenty minutes and a coconut ice cream on the way out.
THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT
Hanging nets over the jungle canopy, sunset timed right, and a live band once it gets dark.
Similar Markets & Shopping across Thailand
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.
