Where to stock up on household goods?

[Thriftydrifter]

We move into our apartment tomorrow (for 2 months) and will need to stock up - we intend to cook for ourselves quite a lot after 8 months of restaurant food. The shopping list includes loo rolls, washing up liquid, cling film, coffee, olive oil, olives, cheese, salt, pepper, sugar, flour, ketchup, soy/fish/chilli sauce, eggs, bread, butter, jam, noodles, mayonnaise, pasta, lentils/beans (dried or tinned), basic spices, yoghurt (plain, preferably), muesli and fish (fresh or frozen). Also, if they exist here(?) tahini, tomato puree and veg stock cubes. We also might buy either a cafetiere or one of those plastic filter jobs, and maybe some tupperware boxes.

We've already scoped Tesco in Market Village (which is almost opposite the apartment), stuck our heads into Villa Market (where we saw more yummy cheese than we've seen for months, including a scrap of stilton - mmmmm) and had a wander around the market in the centre.

I gather there is a Makro up in the north - would it be worth the trip up there (by songthaew) for some of these items? Is it significantly cheaper, or is there more choice? (bearing in mind we won't want huge packs of stuff). We'll also need beer, water, potatoes, fruit & veg, but I think we'll have to get those locally because of the weight & bulk.

If the trip to Makro is worth it, do both green and orange songthaews go there and what's the fare please?

[Big Boy]

Most of the supermarkets carry similar ranges of basic requirements. Some may be a little cheaper than others, but there's not much to choose between them. If I had to make a comparison, I would generally say Villa Market is at the top of the price range and G Supermarket is near the bottom of the range. However, we rarely shop about - the differential is so minimal, whichever shop we go to, we buy everything we need.

Yes, both songthaews go there - more detail here http://www.tourismhuahin.com/getting-around-huahin.php

[Dannie Boy]

I would say that Makro is definitely worth going to - wide range of products under one roof, normally at cheaper prices than elsewhere. Villa Market does have some produce that you can't easily get elsewhere, but such items tend to be rather expensive.

[Big Boy]

Having read your shopping list several times, I honestly don't believe there is much to be saved, if anything. However, if you are curious, then you need to have a look for yourself.

[Dannie Boy]

I recommend you be curious - if you like cheese they have a good selection at Makro (incl Stilton), far cheaper than Villa Market.

[SunandFun]

For two months supplies, it is hardly worth the effort to track off to Macro from MV area and then have to "haul back" what ever you bought. IMHO
Everything on your list should be available at the two you have mentioned.

[hhfarang]

Villa Market....

[Lung Per]

Makro is really a wholesale market. It resembles the "Metro" markets in Europe. It sells mostly in bundled quantities or by the carton, rather than single units. This being said and done, it caters also to private consumers.

For my general requirements, my preference is Tesco Lotus in Market Village, and Villa Market for those western items that are not available in MV.

Enjoy your stay.

[margaretcarnes]

I recommend you be curious - if you like cheese they have a good selection at Makro (incl Stilton), far cheaper than Villa Market.

I agree - Makro is worth a visit, even if you never go there again and then just stock re- stock at G Supermarket for the baics.
But for the more specialised stuff like decent cheeses and other imports it's Villa, Tesco, or try HuaHin Ham and Bacon for quality bacon etc, and either Euro Bakery or a small place next to G Supermarket for decent bread.

[Big Boy]

There is a G Supermaket at the bottom of Soi 94, which is a lot closer to you.

[Gregjam]

I am a great fan of Makro. Yes, it is marginally cheaper but when compared to MV it does not have the distractions that 'her who shall be obeyed' adds to the basket which obliterate any savings you have made by purchasing in bulk. Or for that matter other shops which can be far more damaging to the wallet.

[Thriftydrifter]

I am a great fan of Makro. Yes, it is marginally cheaper but when compared to MV it does not have the distractions that 'her who shall be obeyed' adds to the basket which obliterate any savings you have made by purchasing in bulk. Or for that matter other shops which can be far more damaging to the wallet.

Not an issue for me - I'm a) from Yorkshire and b) generally hate shopping!

We got some stuff from G and Tesco today - could've done with a pack donkey to carry it home, but we still need more. It seemed to me that if G stocked something it was normally cheaper than Tesco, but there were exceptions where Tesco had a special offer - we'll buy water from G as it's nearer but otherwise it looks as though we will be Tesco regulars. However the mere possibility of reasonably priced cheese is enough to put an exploratory trip to Makro on the agenda in the next few days

[Dannie Boy]

Cheese is expensive in Thailand but they have a reasonable range and it's a fair bit cheaper in Makro than at Villa Market, plus I'm sure you'll find other things to tempt you with. It's a bit out of the way if you don't have a car but there are songthaews that go there if you check the link that BB sent you.

[shellyball]

With regards to water, you can make a huge saving at the many water machines, we have one right outside out apartment, 16ltrs, 16bhat just had to do the 5 mins fill up every 2 days but when your paying 20 bhat for 2ltrs when in special at 7/11 it's much cheaper! Or buy one of the big containers they fit all sizes ) enjoy your stay also the market by the clock tower during the day has cheap meat & fruit etc,


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[Thriftydrifter]

With regards to water, you can make a huge saving at the many water machines, we have one right outside out apartment, 16ltrs, 16bhat just had to do the 5 mins fill up every 2 days but when your paying 20 bhat for 2ltrs when in special at 7/11 it's much cheaper! Or buy one of the big containers they fit all sizes ) enjoy your stay also the market by the clock tower during the day has cheap meat & fruit etc,

Oooooo - I've not noticed any water machines. Are these like office drinking fountains with the big bottles on top, or something different? At the moment we're getting 6x1.5l packs from G supermarket for B50 - better than 7/11 but still B4.5 per litre. Luckily G is right opposite, but we do have to do the dash of death across that road!