Supermarkets

It wasn’t so long ago that there were no large supermarket or wholesale style shops on Koh Tao, but nowadays it is much easier for visitors to stock up on the essentials. Regardless of whether you are staying in Sairee, Mae Haad, or Chalok Baan Kao, you will most certainly have a Koh Tao supermarket located near your accommodation. For food supplies, there are four main supermarkets plus a variety of small local fresh markets, and the larger supermarket-style shops also sell toiletries, tobacco, alcohol, and even hardware supplies. 

Smile Mart  

Location – Sairee.  

Opening hours – 24hours

Smile Mart is the only Koh Tao supermarket in Sairee and is located on Hin Wong Bay Road, next to Gym and Fitness, which is one of the island’s most popular gyms on Koh Tao. It sells a full range of Western and Asian foodstuffs, plus dairy produce, bread, toiletries, homeware products, and cigarettes. Smile Mart does not sell any fresh fruit or vegetables, but it does have a whole aisle dedicated to alcohol. Which combined with its 24-hour service makes it a popular choice for stocking up on supplies. 

Pen Wholesale 

Location – Mae Haad  

Opening hours – 8 am-9 pm

Located on the main road in Mae Haad, almost directly opposite Pods. Pen Wholesale caters to most shopping lists without needing to visit another store. A wide range of foodstuffs including fresh fruit and vegetables is available. Also toiletries, beauty products, homeware, hardware, pet food, tobacco, and alcohol. 

Pods 

Location – Mae Haad  

Opening hours – 8 am-9 pm

Branding itself as a ‘freshmart’, Pods is situated on the main road in Mae Haad between the ‘up road’ and ‘down road’ and is the only Koh Tao Supermarket to offer a butcher service. Its stocks foodstuffs only, and keeps a wide variety of specialist and regional products and well as fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, freshly baked bread, and dairy. Pods is a popular one-stop-shop for those who like to self-cater. 

ChaiWat Supermarket 

Location – Mae Haad  

Opening hours – 7.30 am-8 pm

A real Thai-style supermarket, Chaiwat is located on the main road in Mae Haad and is a real Aladdin’s cave of homeware, hardware, furniture, stationery, toiletries, foodstuffs, tobacco, and alcohol. This Koh Tao supermarket is quite different from its western-style counterparts and is definitely worth a browse. 

Aukotan 

Location – Chalok Baan Kao

Opening hours – 8am – 8pm

Aukotan is the only Koh Tao supermarket in Chalok Baan Kao and it houses a fantastical array of products. Anything and everything you can imagine is hiding somewhere in its aisles. Food, tobacco, and alcohol are a given, although there is little in the way of fresh fruit and vegetables. You’ll also find toiletries, homeware, medical supplies, and an extensive hardware section. 

Fresh Markets

Location – Various

Opening hours – as early as 5 am until around 7-8 pm.

Fresh Markets are dotted all around the villages on the west coast of the island and are the lifeblood of many Thai homes and small businesses. It is here you will find fresh fish, various cuts and offcuts of meat, local fruit and vegetables, and all of the other ingredients you’d need to cook ‘Thai style’ meals