Practical Expat Life
Once you've been in Phuket more than a few months, you discover Makro. It's Thailand's version of Costco — a membership-only wholesale retailer where you buy in bulk and pay significantly less per unit than at any regular supermarket. For expats who entertain regularly, run a small business, or just want to cut their grocery bill, Makro is one of those life-changing Phuket discoveries. Here's everything you need to know.
Located on Thepkasattri Road near the Heroines Monument roundabout, this is the most conveniently located branch for the majority of Phuket's expat population living in Bang Tao, Laguna, Surin, Cherng Talay, and Kamala. It's on a main road so easy to find, has ample parking, and is usually less crowded than the town branch on weekday mornings.
On Chao Fa West Road, south of Phuket Town, this branch serves the Phuket Town, Chalong, Rawai, and Nai Harn expat population. Slightly older and busier than the Thalang branch, particularly on weekend mornings when local restaurant owners do their weekly shop.
Membership is free and open to anyone — including foreigners — with valid ID. To apply in-store:
The Makro app (available on iOS and Android) also gives you a digital membership card, and sometimes includes app-exclusive promotions. It's worth downloading and linking to your membership number.
Alcohol — This is where many Phuket expats get most excited. Spirits, wine, and beer at Makro are significantly cheaper than convenience stores, supermarkets, and most bottle shops. A 750ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Black runs about THB 720–780 at Makro vs THB 900–950 at 7-Eleven. Wine is similarly discounted for bulk purchases. Note: alcohol sales are restricted 14:00–17:00 and after midnight (midnight applies to the point of sale, not the time you enter the store).
Cooking oil — Large bottles and multi-packs of palm oil, sunflower oil, and soy oil at 20–35% less per litre than regular supermarkets. Great for households that cook daily and for anyone doing Thai or Western cooking in volume.
Rice — 5kg and 10kg bags at noticeably better prices than Tops or Big C. For households eating rice daily, the savings add up quickly.
Coffee — Makro stocks a good range of Thai and international coffee at wholesale pricing. Nescafé, Doi Chaang, and several other brands in large formats that you won't find at regular supermarkets.
Cleaning products — Detergent, dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, and household cleaning supplies in large multipacks are substantially cheaper at Makro than at any other outlet in Phuket.
Dairy products — UHT milk, cheese, and butter in bulk. The cheese selection is surprisingly decent — better than most Thai supermarkets and at lower prices than Villa Market.
Frozen seafood and meat — Commercial-grade frozen prawns, squid, and fish. If you're cooking for a large group or entertaining regularly, the per-kg prices are excellent.
Fresh produce — Makro's fruit and vegetables are commercial-grade in large quantities. If you want a handful of cherry tomatoes or a single head of broccoli, the local fresh markets (ตลาดสด) or Tops/Villa Market are better options. The savings on small quantities of fresh produce at Makro don't justify the trip.
International specialty foods — Makro's selection skews heavily towards Thai commercial staples. For Western specialty items, cheese varieties, European charcuterie, and imported products, Villa Market in Bang Tao or Phuket Town has a far better selection, despite the higher price.
| Product | Makro Price (THB) | Tops/Big C Price (THB) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnnie Walker Black 750ml | ~750 | ~940 | ~20% |
| Sangsom whisky 700ml | ~280 | ~340 | ~18% |
| Sunflower oil 5L | ~280 | ~340 | ~18% |
| Jasmine rice 5kg | ~125 | ~155 | ~19% |
| Nescafé Red Cup 400g | ~185 | ~220 | ~16% |
| Detergent (Tide 3kg) | ~185 | ~240 | ~23% |
| UHT milk 1L (per unit in pack) | ~38 | ~50 | ~24% |
| Frozen prawns (500g) | ~180 | ~220 | ~18% |
Prices approximate as of mid-2026. Actual prices fluctuate — Makro runs regular promotions that can improve savings further.
Many Phuket expats who run or manage F&B businesses, villa rental operations, guesthouses, or catering operations are regular Makro customers. The commercial focus of Makro's product range — large-format catering supplies, commercial cleaning products, and bulk food — makes it far more useful than a standard supermarket for business purposes.
Business owners can also register a company or business name on the membership, which can simplify receipt tracking for accounting. Ask at the membership counter about business account registration.
For expats who run villa rentals and need to stock up for arriving guests — wine, breakfast staples, pool supplies — a monthly Makro run is genuinely the most cost-effective approach. See our Phuket accountant guide for tips on tracking these as business expenses correctly.
Here's a quick comparison of the main grocery options for Phuket expats:
Makro: Wholesale/bulk. Best prices on staples, alcohol, and commercial products. Requires membership. Large trolley required — not practical for small shops.
Tops Market (Central Festival, Phuket Town): Best all-round supermarket for expat-friendly products, good imported foods selection, reasonable prices, and consistent quality. See our Phuket grocery shopping guide for the full comparison.
Big C / Lotus's: Budget-friendly Thai supermarkets with excellent Thai product range and competitive prices. Less international product selection than Tops but very good for everyday Thai cooking ingredients.
Villa Market (Bang Tao): Premium expat supermarket with the best imported food selection in Phuket — European cheese, deli meats, international wine, and specialty products. Significantly more expensive than Makro or Tops but worth it for products you can't find elsewhere.
Local fresh markets (ตลาดสด): Best for fresh produce, local vegetables, Thai herbs, and seafood at the lowest prices. Chalong morning market, Rawai market, and Phuket Town's Kaset market are the main expat favourites. See our Phuket morning markets guide.
Yes. Foreigners can get a Makro membership card with just a valid passport. Membership is free and issued on the same visit. The Makro app also gives you a digital membership card.
Two locations: Makro Thalang (near Heroines Monument on Thepkasattri Road — best for Bang Tao/Laguna expats) and Makro Phuket Town (Chao Fa West Road — best for Rawai/Chalong expats).
Both Phuket Makro branches are open 06:00–22:00 daily. Early mornings (6:00–8:00) are peak time for restaurant owners. Mid-morning weekdays are quietest for individual shoppers.
For bulk staple items — cooking oil, rice, spirits, beer, cleaning products — Makro is typically 15–30% cheaper per unit. The savings are most significant for bulk quantities. For small amounts of fresh produce, regular supermarkets are more practical.
Yes, at competitive wholesale prices — typically 20–35% cheaper per bottle than convenience stores. Alcohol sales are restricted 14:00–17:00 and after midnight daily.
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