Thailand, a Southeast Asian country renowned for its rich culture, vibrant markets, and diverse cuisine, is home to numerous local markets that offer a unique and immersive shopping experience. These markets, often referred to as “talat,” serve as bustling hubs of activity where locals and tourists alike can find a wide variety of goods, fresh produce, traditional crafts, and delectable street food. Among the many local markets scattered throughout the country, five stand out as the largest and most popular:
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Chatuchak Weekend Market (Bangkok):
- Known as one of the world’s largest weekend markets, Chatuchak sprawls over an area of 27 acres and attracts over 200,000 visitors every weekend.
- With over 15,000 stalls selling an eclectic mix of items, from handmade souvenirs to vintage clothing and furniture, Chatuchak is a shopper’s paradise.
- Foodies can indulge in a diverse range of street food delicacies, including pad thai, mango sticky rice, and grilled seafood.
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Khlong Thom Floating Market (Samut Songkhram):
- This traditional floating market is located on the Khlong Thom River and is a popular tourist destination.
- Vendors sell a variety of fresh produce, local delicacies, and handmade crafts from their boats, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere.
- Visitors can take a boat tour to fully experience the market’s charm.
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Prachan Market (Bangkok):
- Prachan Market is one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest fresh markets.
- Known for its incredible selection of exotic fruits, vegetables, and spices, the market is a paradise for home chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
- Seafood lovers can find a wide variety of fresh catches, including fish, shrimp, and squid.
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Or Tor Kor Market (Bangkok):
- Also known as the Agricultural Market, Or Tor Kor is a renowned wholesale and retail market specializing in fresh produce.
- The market is known for its high-quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers, many of which are sourced directly from local farmers.
- Visitors can also find a variety of prepared foods, including ready-to-eat meals and mouthwatering street food.
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Bo Bae Market (Maeklong Railway Market) (Samut Songkhram):
- This unique market is located on a railway track, and vendors set up their stalls right next to the tracks.
- When a train approaches, the vendors quickly fold up their canopies and move their goods to make way for the train, creating a thrilling spectacle.
- The market is known for its fresh seafood, local delicacies, and souvenirs.
The 7 Biggest Local Market near Phuket
Kata Night Market
- Address: เมือง Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (4733)
- Website:
- Opening hours:
Monday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMTuesday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMWednesday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMThursday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMFriday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMSaturday: 2:00 – 11:00 PMSunday: 2:00 – 11:00 PM - Reviews:
a week agoStandard food and good prices. We went for lunch so it was quite empty and relaxing. I recommend the Watermelon shake, really good and refreshing3 months ago? night market open till 4 AM. Numerous shops selling clothes, momentos, decorative items etc. Huge food court mainly selling delicious street food of good variety here. 1 lane is dedicated to bars only. Some of them with live singers ? . Must visit if you are staying nearby. We stayed in Peach Hill Resort and it is at walking distance from here. ??❤️3 weeks agoAt Kata Night Market, I experienced a slight disappointment compared to other night markets in southern Thailand, as it felt more like a large tented restaurant than a traditional market. The food was acceptable, but it was a bit pricey by night market standards. The market initially seemed like one big restaurant, with staff from various stations taking orders and serving drinks interchangeably. This caused some confusion, especially when I was separately charged for a Roti dessert. The music was an unusual mix of Western pop hits and Russian songs, catering to what seemed like a predominantly Russian tourist crowd, which felt somewhat out of place for a Thai night market. Overall, it was pricier than most ‘real’ night markets I’ve visited in Thailand.5 months agoGreat night market with lots of options. Prices are fair. We had the best burger ever on this market. Also the big stall when you enter the covered market, next to the smoothie/fruit stall, has the best food!a month agoA must see market , great food & its caters for every taste bud & diet The chicken kebab stall is magnificent to say the least & next to it the hand made icecream both 100 baht each a bargain
Bangla Night Market
- Address: DTambon Patong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (8471)
- Opening hours:
Monday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMTuesday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMWednesday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMThursday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMFriday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMSaturday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AMSunday: 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM - Reviews:
2 months agoThis was an experience! There’s so much fresh seafood and other meats! You can kind of just walk around until you find prices that you like, or if some place tickles your fancy! We got some dumplings from one stand, some skewers from another, and a scorpion from a vendor walking around. The food was fantastic and tasted very fresh! Except, I can’t say much about the scorpion. I only ate the legs. There’s something about eating bugs that I can’t swallow, but at least I gave it a shot. Definitely a must if you’re in the area!3 months agoAbsolutely hated this dinner experience. We got to choose our dishes but the prices in each dish varied, it really depended on if the guy serving you felt like giving you a reasonable price.The food was only mediocre. Honestly, if you are cooking any seafood dishes with super fresh produce then it doesn’t matter how you cook it, it should be amazing. But this was not the case, the seasonings they used didn’t quite work, one dish was too salty and strangely slightly bitter at the same time.
I would avoid going to dine at this night market unless you’re prepared to haggle.
a month agoReally love the variety of Sea food options you get there. In addition to the usual sea food, you can also eat some fancy meats like crocodile, octopus, scorpio and some weird insects. I always try the grilled/fried whole fish there, which you can get customised as per your palate. You can also get the beer ordered to your seata month agoAmazing place to visit but not sure if best place to eat. Lots of food options but also lots of people marketing their food by pushing the menu to your face… not the best tactic to be honest. We ended up choosing based on what we saw another customer was eating. Food was delicious but clearly the oil for our deep fried food was old and hence we suffered afterwards. Perhaps recommendation is to not to eat deep fried food there. Our deep fried sea bass was amazing (with caveat of the old oil mentioned earlier)4 months agoDo yourself a favour by not missing this place, you will thank yourself later. The shopping is amazing, yes you will need to bargain but you will love doing that. The choices of culinary items will leave you astonished. Everyone is so welcoming, the scars don’t happen with street food but yes if you are in the bar be careful. If you are thinking of taking strolls or just chilling this is your place. You’ll get 1st copies for everything but you will absolutely absolutely enjoy it. Visit it after 8pm and you will totally fall in love with the vibe. Just take a chang and chill ?
Lard Yai Market
- Address: Thalang Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (78)
Chillva Market
- Address: Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.4 (6980)
Phuket City Public Market 2 (Kaset Market)
- Address: ตลาดเกษตรภูเก็ต Ongsimphai Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, เมือง Phuket 83000, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (883)
Patong Otop Shopping Paradise
- Address: OTOP Shopping Paradises 237/15-20 Patong BeachRat Uthit, ถนน 200 Kathu, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.2 (5093)
Phuket Indy Night Market
- Address: Thailand, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.3 (1143)
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Top Local Market Alternatives in Phuket
Phuket is renowned for its vibrant local markets where visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic local culture, indulge in delicious street food, and find unique souvenirs. Here are the top three local market alternatives that are very popular in Phuket:
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Naka Market
Naka Market, also known as Weekend Night Market, is one of the most popular markets in Phuket. Located on the outskirts of Phuket Town, Naka Market offers a wide range of products ranging from clothing, accessories, handicrafts, fresh produce, and street food. The market comes alive every Saturday and Sunday evening, attracting both locals and tourists. It’s a great place to sample local snacks, shop for souvenirs, and experience the lively atmosphere.
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Banzaan Market
Banzaan Market is a bustling local market situated in the heart of Patong Beach. It is a great alternative for those who want to explore an authentic Thai market without venturing too far from the popular tourist areas. At Banzaan Market, you’ll find a diverse selection of fresh seafood, exotic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. There is also a food court where you can indulge in a variety of Thai dishes at affordable prices. The market is open daily from morning to late evening.
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Phuket Walking Street
Phuket Walking Street, also known as Lard Yai Market, is a must-visit for those who want to experience the local charm of Old Phuket Town. Taking place on Sundays, this vibrant street market showcases the rich cultural heritage of Phuket through its diverse range of stalls featuring local crafts, textiles, antiques, and street food. Strolling along the colorful streets, listening to live music, and savoring delicious local snacks make for a delightful Sunday evening experience.
These three local markets offer visitors a chance to interact with the friendly locals, indulge in local delicacies, and find unique souvenirs that perfectly capture the essence of Phuket. So, don’t miss the opportunity to explore these vibrant marketplaces when you visit Phuket!
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Local Market spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.
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