Where to Find Local Markets in Phuket, Thailand
Shopping in Phuket Town, Chalong, Kata Karon and Cherng Talay
Wherever you are staying in Phuket you are never far from a local Thai market. These serve both local Thais and resident expats and you’ll find things here at a fraction of the price of the typical tourist stalls and shops.
These late afternoon/evening markets are an integral part of Thai life. These are where many Phuket residents buy fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and household goods, as well as clothing and jewelry. With large supermarkets and shopping centers on the island few and far between, most Thais favor their weekly local market, and leave major shopping trips until the weekend.
Visit these markets at between 5pm – 7pm and they’ll be heaving with local Thais buying ready-cooked fish, curries, chicken, pork satays etc for their dinner. Many Thai people prefer not to cook at home (or don’t have a kitchen), as food is cheap and plentiful to buy from the many street-side or market stalls.
In addition to the ubiquitous tourist stalls you’ll find in every resort on the island, here’s a guideline of where to find a Thai market closest to your Phuket hotel or accommodation:
Phuket Town
- The best (and biggest) market on the island is the Phuket Town weekend market, on the outskirts of the city, just before you reach the Central Festival shopping mall, coming from the Chalong Circle (Hai Yak Chalong) direction, on the Chao Fa Nok Road. This is modeled on the famous Bangkok Chatuchak market and has around a thousand stalls selling everything from Thai handicrafts and souvenirs to clothing and jewelry. This market, called Talad Nad Chaofa Variety, is held on both Saturday and Sunday evenings from around 4.30pm.
- If you are unable to make it to the weekend evening market, then there is a smaller covered day market in the center of Phuket Town, on Tilok Uthit 2 Road, just up for the Royal Phuket City Hotel and one block behind Robinson’s department store. This much smaller market does not hold a candle to Talad Nad but has a huge selection of bargain-priced clothing, bags, luggage and jewelry, and some DVD’s and computer games. Unusually, this is a daytime market, open from around 10am.
Chalong Market
- Chalong (between Rawai and Phuket Town), is undergoing huge development, with the construction of a big shopping center and permanent market, due to finish around the end of 2008. There is currently a weekly temporary market on Thanon Patak (the road to Kata and Karon), just up from the Chalong Circle next to the 7-Eleven, before you reach The Green Man pub. This market is held on a Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays and has around 50 -100 stalls, depending on the weather.
Kata Market
- On the inland Kata/Karon road (Thanon Patak), coming from Chalong Circle, you’ll find another day market on the right-hand side, just before Kata/Karon post office. This sells a huge selection of fresh vegetables, fruit and meat but is also surrounded by a number of lingerie, clothing and accessories stalls. Twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, just opposite to this market, is another open air market, selling a variety of products from food to housewares to clothing.
Cherng Talay Market
- If you are staying in the Laguna area then this is your local market. Twice a week, on Sundays and Wednesdays; this is a much smaller version of the Phuket Town weekend market, but nonetheless will provide you with some bargains.
Bear in mind that if its raining, you’ll find fewer stalls. Whilst the ready-made-food stalls always brave the weather, other stalls selling non-perishable goods such as housewares, clothing, accessories etc may not show up.
