Markets in Phuket are a core part of daily life for Thais. Going to the market is not only the way to buy vegetables, fish and household goods but it’s a chance to socialize, to eat, and to have fun. Visiting a Phuket market is an unforgettable experience that gives you an insight into daily life in Thailand – plus, it’s a great chance to buy some souvenirs and clothes, or take some tasty food back to your hotel or the beach. When you walk through the narrow lanes of a Phuket market all your senses will be on alert to the sights, smells, and tastes on offer – Phuket markets are an attraction in themselves, whether you are buying or not. Here are some of our favorites.
Phuket Weekend Market
The biggest, most popular market in all of Phuket is the Weekend Market, located on the outer southern edge of Phuket Town on the road to Chalong. It is a smaller version of the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok and you can find practically anything you’d want to buy in this place. The market is open from 4 pm to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and you will see clothes, accessories, cosmetics, souvenirs, DVDs, and electronics on sale. In addition to the extensive shopping opportunities, you won’t go hungry as this market has more than enough food stalls to satisfy your appetite. Choose from Thai snacks and meat dishes, curries, seafood, ice cream, and pastries as well as many other options.
Banzaan Market
Banzaan Market is what Thais call a fresh market – a place where you can buy fresh food like meat, seafood, fish, vegetables, and fruit. It is housed in a modern warehouse building that was recently built and is very clean. The selection of produce is wide and is all very neatly presented so you can see what you are getting. There are also clothes and shoes, toys, souvenirs, and household goods, and a food court for your lunch or dinner. The market is located behind the Jungceylon mall in Patong Beach, on Sai Kor Road. It is open between 7 am and 5 pm every day.
Talad Kaset Night Market
Located in Phuket Town, Talad Kaset Night Market sells street food from all across Asia. The market is set behind the Robinson Department Store and you’ll find a variety of sellers providing hungry visitors with noodles, stir-fries, seafood, kebabs, and drinks. Here you will be able to eat well for a low price. The market is open from 6 pm to 2 am every day although you may not find much food after 1 am.
Indy Market
Phuket Indy Market is a great place for buying unique, interesting, customized gifts. You’ll find live music too, and sometimes street performers. The food is great too, with a wide selection of dishes and snacks on offer. The Phuket Indy Market is located in a small lane which is right off New Dibuk Road in Phuket Town. The market is only open on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Ranong Road Markets
Two daily markets in the heart of Phuket Old Town offer food as well as clothes, household items, electronics and more. The Talad Sod Satarana market is on Ranong Road and it is open in the mornings from 5 am to 11 am, selling fresh produce and dried ingredients, prepared food, and clothes. The Downtown Market is a fresh market located just off Ranong Road, selling fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, meat, and fish.
Other Markets in Phuket
There are a couple of fresh markets in the Chalong Bay area, which is open daily – opposite the Villa Mall – and on Sundays in the morning, located near to the Chalong Circle when you are going in a southerly direction to Rawai Beach.
In Rawai Beach you have a few places, such as near to the Shell Museum, opposite Friendship Beach, opposite the Vijitt Resort & Spa, and on Viset Road.
In Karon and Kata Beach, there is a market on Mondays and Thursdays on Patak Road, and a market at Wat Karon.
Kamala Beach has a Friday market opposite the Phuket FantaSea attraction, and on the back road in Kamala, there is a market on the way to Patong. This market operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in the afternoons/ evenings.
Nai Yang Beach has a market inside the Nai Yang Temple, and one opposite the Shell gas station on the airport road.
In the Thalang area, there are several markets worth visiting including a fresh market at the Heroine’s Monument, a market within the Pra Nang Sang Temple, and a fresh market at the location of the main traffic lights in Thalang.
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