Shopping in Phuket Weekend Market
Where to Find the Best Bargains in Phuket, Thailand
This large weekend market is a well kept secret, with scant information (if any) in the tourist guides. It is not situated in a tourist area, so visitors to Thailand have to be in the know. However, it is well worth making the trip to the outskirts of Phuket Town, as it is here where you’ll find the best bargains.
Modeled on Bangkok’s famous Chatuchak Market (the largest open-air market in Asia), the market (called Talad Nad Chaofa Variety) offers row upon row of clothes stalls, footwear, handbags, jewelry, souvenirs, collectables and crafts. There are hundreds of stalls, situated on approximately 13 Rai of land.
Buying DVDs in Thailand
Be wary of buying DVDs in Thailand as they are unlikely to be originals (especially at around 100 Baht) and can vary in quality. Ask the stall holder if the quality is clear, as some are worse than others. VCDs in English are marked “soundtrack” or “Thai subtitle,” but these are difficult to find, as 99% of VCDs on sale are in dubbed in Thai, so beware!
Thai Food
If you are feeling hungry then take advantage of the many Thai food stalls located along the front side of the market. This is you chance to buy some delicious Thai fruit at market prices or some ready cooked Thai curries or seafood. If you don’t want anything too spicy, try a traditional Thai papaya salad, called Som Tam.
Other Amenities
At the far side of the market there is also a café/bar for some Western-style refreshments. If you have tired and weary feet, there is also a small foot massage parlour.
Bargaining Skills
Never was there a better opportunity to practice your bargaining skills, and your Thai. Expect to bargain for a reduction of around 10 -30% for most items. Stall holders will unusually punch prices into their calculator, so you don’t need to worry too much about understanding the numbers. However, you’ll soon get the hang of it, and if you know the magic words “Can you give me a discount?” in Thai, then this will usually initiate a broad smile from the stall holder, and quite possibly, a bigger discount.
Location of Phuket Weekend Market
- Talad Nad Chaofa Variety market is located on a side road just off the main Chao Fa Nok road coming from Central Festival shopping center, down towards Wat Chalong and Chalong Circle (Hai Yak Chalong). If you are coming from the Central Festival direction, at the large junction in front of the shopping center, get yourself on the Chao Fa Nok road, going towards Wat Chalong, and it’s about 1.5 kilometers further, on the left-hand side. You’ll pass the Easy Fitness Center on your right, and a large school. Continue until you reach a T-junction with traffic lights, and take the left-hand turning. You'll find the market on this road, opposite the Naka temple.
- Coming from Chalong, go past the Wat Chalong entrance, and then around 1.5 kilometers before you reach Central Festival, the turning is on your right-hand-side.
- If you are driving, there is a smallish car park opposite the market, but parking is also possible on the road. If you are taking a Tuk Tuk or motorcycle taxi, then tell the taxi driver you want to go to Talad Nad Chaofa Variety, on Chaofa Nok road. Alternatively the Chalong songtaew (communal taxi) which goes up and down Chaofa Nok road, can drop you at the corner. However, the last service leaves Chalong at 4.30pm.
- If you can't find a taxi to take you home, then walk up to Central Festival shopping center, where there are proper taxi ranks and fixed price fares.
When to Go
As with the majority of Thai markets, this market does not start until around 5pm, and is only on Saturdays and Sundays. Peak shopping hours are between 6pm and 9pm. Keep a tight hold on your purse, as it can get quite crowded. If it’s rainy, expect to see fewer stalls.
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