Shopping

Though retail is a nascent concept, most products are handmade and can be customised. Real Laotian silk is rare and sought after. Bamboutik / Ban Khili / 030 513 1170 / simple yet beautiful bamboo frocks; Le Pavilion de Jade / Ban That Luang / 071 260 157 / silk and objects; Passa Paa / Ban Vat Sene / 020 5541 1244 / handmade and printed textile prods; Ock Pop Tok / Ban Vat Nong / 071 253 219 / ockpoptok.com / stocks clothing, soft furnishings and silks with contempo flair, and its Living Crafts Centre / Ban Saylom / 071 212 597 / offers tours and classes with local artisans. Mulberries / Khaem Kong Rd. / 071 254 594 / mulberries.org / Laotian silk, Ngo-run; Satri Lao Deco / Sakkarine Rd. / 071 252 708 / pricey décor and new and antique silks; Caruso Lao / Sakkarine Rd. / 071 254 574 / carusolao.com / tasteful ebony, rosewood and acacia homeware and furny; Lisa Regale / Ban Khili / 020 7777 1972 / unreliable hours / lisaregale.com / accessories and curios; Kopnoi / near Hive bar / 071 260 248 / kopnoi.com / jewellery, homeware, clothing and gallery; and Naga Creations / Ban Xieng Mouane / 020 7777 8077 / one-of-a-kind locally made baubles. The Night Market makes for a pleasant stroll (despite the imported tat) before a nightcap at Blue Lagoon Café (see Restaurants).