11 Great street markets in Thailand for shopping, vibes and food

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Let me start by saying, I absolutely LOVE a street market! It is one of my favourite things to do in Thailand. The melting pot of stalls, music, local crafts, and of course amazing Thai food attracts locals, expats and tourists alike. There are so many local street markets in Thailand, with several in each major town, so how do you know which market is worth visiting?

This post covers 11 great street markets all over Thailand, all of which I have personally visited and loved.

11 Great street markets in Thailand for shopping, vibes and food

After spending 4 months in Thailand, here is my list of some of the best, must-visit Thai street markets. Of course, this list is far from exhaustive. If I included every great market in every town, this post would be HUGE! But hopefully this will give you a good starting point. So, whether you are staying in Thailand for 2 weeks or several months, make sure that you add a couple of these to your travel bucket list!

Chatuchak Weekend Market - Bangkok

Bangkok has way too many markets to mention! In fact, Bangkok is famous for its street markets. They can feel chaotic and sometimes overwhelming but once you embrace the chaos, they are great fun and you can pick up some real bargains. The Chatuchak Market is perhaps the most famous street market in Bangkok, and for good reason. The market is vast and you could easily spend a good half day here, wandering up and down the aisles. In fact, it is so big that it has earned the title of the world’s largest outdoor market.

It’s easy to feel a bit lost at Chatuchak market – and if you are visiting in a group, it might be worth agreeing on a meet-up point in case you can’t find each other (i’m not joking!). Prices are negotiable and if you buy too much, there is a DHL point where you can pay to ship your purchases home!

Chatuchak weekend market - everything you need to know

Chatuchak market opening hours: Chatuchak is open during the day, at weekends only. Visit on Saturdays or Sunday, between 9am – 6pm.

How to get to Chatuchak market: The best way to get to the Chatuchak market is via the BTS Skytrain. The skytrain runs right through the centre of Bangkok. Take the Sukhumvit Line to Mo Chit Station, then take exit no.1 out of the station. You’ll soon see the rows of canvas stalls.

What to buy at Chatuchak market: Everything! Well, maybe not everything, but almost! You can buy anything from high end art, ceramics and homeware, to plants, antiques and pet accessories. Of course, there’s lots of stalls selling luggage, clothing, shoes and souvenirs, as well as local food and drink stalls.

Tips for visiting the Chatuchak market: Go early in the morning, not only to get there before it gets too busy, but also to avoid the heat of the day.

Jodd Fairs (Rama 9/ Ratachada) Night Market - Bangkok

Jodd Fairs is one of the best night markets in Bangkok. It has only been operating since 2021, taking over the old Ratachada Train Market and has gained popularity quickly, thanks to its laid back, yet, vibrant atmosphere.

Jodd fairs is predominantly a food market and you can get a whole range of options here, from local Thai dishes, to more western options. As well as the typical takeaway options, there is also a host of small restaurants and bars that offer seating.

Despite the focus being mainly on food and drink, there are some stalls selling fashion clothing and accessories.

Jodd Fairs Night market - everything you need to know

Jodd Fairs opening hours: Jodd Fairs is open every day from 5pm – midnight

How to get to Jodd Fairs night market: Jodd Fairs is located right behind the Central Rama 9 shopping mall. The best way to get to Jodd Fairs is via the Metro. Take the Blue Line to Rama 9 MRT station, and take exit 2. Jodd Fairs is a short 3 minute walk from the station.

What to buy at Jodd Fairs night market: Delicious Thai food!

Tips for visiting the Jodd Fairs night market: Note that there is a second Jodd Fairs market, located just down the road, called Jodd Fairs Ratchada. Rumor has it that the original Jodd Fairs at Rama 9 is setting up ready to relocate down the road, once their current lease runs out.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Where to stay near Chatuchak in Bangkok: Bangkok is a vast, busy city with lots of traffic. Therefore, I would recommend staying somewhere that is close to public transport to make getting around more convenient.

For the Chatuchak market, the area of Siam is convenient as you can take the Sukhumvit metro line all the way to Chatuchak market, but it is still quite central to reach other attractions. There are so many choices for accommodation in this area, with lots of big chain hotels and hostels, like the Moxy Bangkok. However, you can also find some great local gems like the Daraya Boutique hotel.

Where to stay near Jodd fairs in Bangkok: For easy access to Jodd Fairs, you could stay anywhere along or close to the Blue line metro route which circles the inner city.

If you also want to be close to the temples, you can find great boutique hotels like the Siri Oriental or the W22 which is right next to Chinatown (another great market in bangkok!) Lub D is another really popular option as it is so close to the MRT station and quite budget friendly.

What else to do in Bangkok: You cannot visit Bangkok without visiting its most famous temples and The iconic Grand Palace. If you’re short on time, you can easily visit Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in one day, as they are conveniently located near each other.

Read my blog post to follow my one day itinerary for visiting Bangkok’s most famous temples.

Chatuchak Market (L) and Jodd Fairs Night Market (R)

Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market - Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is full of culture and charm and was easily one of my favourite places in Thailand. One of the best things to do in Chiang Mai is to visit the Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market.

Every Sunday several streets in Chiang Mai’s Old Town are closed to traffic and stalls line the roads. There is a wide variety of items to browse, including clothes, crafts, souvenirs and of course, lots of great Thai food. The Chiang Mai night market is also a popular place to get a foot massage – perfect after a long day of wandering around Chiang Mai’s temples.

Also Read: Best things to do in Chiang Mai in 7 Days

Chiang Mai Sunday Night Walking market - everything you need to know

Chiang Mai Sunday night market opening hours: Every Sunday from 5pm – midnight

How to get to Chiang Mai’s Sunday night market: The best way to get to the Sunday night market is by walking as many of the roads are closed to traffic. If you are staying outside the Old Town, get a tuk tuk to take you as close as they can.

What to buy at Chiang Mai’s Sunday night market: You will mostly find souvenirs and crafts at this market, as well as local street food.

Tips for visiting the Chiang Mai market: This is one of the most popular markets in Thailand, so if you can, try to plan your trip to Chiang Mai so that it falls over a Sunday, as you won’t want to miss this!

Wua Lai Walking Street, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has so many great markets, I could write a whole post featuring just them, but this is another great, must visit Market if you are in Chiang Mai over the weekend.

Wua Lai Walking Street - everything you need to know

Wua Lai walking street opening hours: Every Saturday from 5pm – 10.30pm

How to get to Wua Lai Walking street: This market is located just outside the Old Town, on the south side, near Chiang Mai Gate. Don’t confuse this with the smaller Chiang Mai gate market which is open every night from 4pm right outside the Old Town walls. To get to Wua Lai walking street, you’ll need to cross over the main road to Wua Lai road.

What to buy at the Wua Lai walking street market: This market is located in Chiang Mai’s historic silver making district, so expect to find silver crafts such as jewelry, ornaments and engraved plates and bowls. There are also several stalls with handmade textiles and crafts. Of course there is also lots of delicious Thai street food.

Tips for visiting Wua Lai walking street: Make sure to visit Wat Sri Suphan (otherwise known as the ‘Silver Temple’) at the southern end of Wua Lai road. If you arrive at the temple just before sunset you’ll be able to listen to the Monks chanting.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

Where to stay in Chiang Mai Old Town: Staying in the Old Town is perfect if you want to have easy access to lots of markets, shops, cafes and temples. I had a great week-long stay at the Lanna Tree boutique, which was conveniently located just inside the old city walls, next to Wat Chiang Man temple.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai outside the Old Town: If you prefer to stay outside the Old Town, you’ll find more budget friendly options, like the B2 Thippanate Boutique & Budget Hotel which is just a 16 minute walk to the Wua Lia walking street and edge of the Old Town.

What else to do in Chiang Mai: There are so many amazing things to do in Chiang Mai, it is impossible to pick just one, so here’s a few quick recommendations:

Take a food tour with the locals
Join a small group tour to the ‘Sticky Waterfalls’.
Book a trip to Doi Inthanon National Park – like this full day Doi Inthanon tour I booked.

If you’re interested in visiting Doi Inthanon National park, read about my day in the park, here: Unmissable hiking trails in Thailand

Thong Sala Saturday night market, Koh Phangnan

Despite being a relatively small island, there are several markets to visit on Koh Phangnan. The main and perhaps largest one is the Saturday walking street night market, in Thong Sala.

Thong Sala Night Market - everything you need to know

Thong Sala Saturday market opening hours: Every Saturday, between 5pm – 10pm

How to get to Thong Sala Saturday market: The market is located close to the Thong Sala Pier, so is easy to reach by local taxi, or scooter. If you are staying in Thong Sala, you can also easily walk here.

What to buy at Thong Sala market: The Saturday night market in Thong Sala is your typical Thai walking street market. You will find a range of souvenirs, crafts and jewellery. As well as great street food.

Tips for visiting the Thong Sala Saturday night market: Just a 6 minute walk from the night market, along the main road is the Phangnan food court. If you prefer to sit down and eat, then walk to the food court to enjoy a range of Thai dishes and a great atmosphere.

Where to stay on Koh Phangnan

Where to stay: There are lots of accommodation options in Thong Sala, which is where the main pier is. However, if you prefer a quieter, more laid back vibe with nicer beaches, I’d recommend staying near Hin Long Beach, Haad Yao or Chaloklum. I stayed at the Bounty Resort in Haad Yao, which was a good low-key option and close to cafes and restaurants.

What else is there to do on Koh Phangnan: Koh Phangnan is not just about the full moon party. In fact, I had no interest in attending the full moon party and planned my visit to Koh Phangnan when it was not on. Koh Phangnan has some gorgeous beaches, like Secret beach in Haad Yao. There is also the beautiful Bottle Beach, which can only be reached by hiking or by longtail boat. I hiked to Bottle beach and then got a longtail back – you can read my guide to the Bottle beach hike, here.

You can also take a tour to the stunning Ang Thong Marine park from Koh Phangnan. The Marine park is gorgeous, so I would highly recommend taking a daytrip, like this one: Ang Thong Speedboat tour from Koh Phangnan.

Pai walking street market, Pai

Pai’s walking street is quite small compared to some of the others on this list, but it is perfectly proportioned to this quaint hillside town in Northern Thailand.

The market is mostly delicious street food stalls that line either side of the street. Most bars will also allow you to eat whatever you picked up at their tables as long as you buy a drink with them.

Pai Walking Street - everything you need to know

Pai Walking street market opening hours: The market is open daily from 6pm – 10pm

How to get to Pai Walking street market: Just head to the main street in the centre of Pai. Most roads lead to the walking street and you can’t miss it as it is illuminated with lanterns.

What to buy at Pai Walking street market: Food! My love for Thai food definitely came from the street food markets and Pai is no exception. Think falafel wraps, grilled meat, even sushi and of course mango sticky rice. You can also pick up some crafts and souvenirs.

Tips for visiting the Pai Walking street market: Grab a selection of food from and take a seat at one of the bars lining the street and enjoy whilst doing a spot of people watching.

Where to stay in Pai

Where to stay in Pai: I would personally recommend staying just at the end of the walking street, or just outside of the town centre. Just around the edge you will be within walking distance from the walking street and main shops for convenience (especially if you do not have your own scooter). Also, at night time there is not a huge amount of street lighting, so staying around the edges of the town means that you can easily walk in without trekking through the darkness. There are quite a few hostels and bungalows just on the other side of the river out of town, like the Revolution Hostel and Mad Monkey Hostel Pai.

And if you are looking for something quieter, or a bit more upscale, the Pai Loess Resort and Pai Village Boutique Resort are great options.

What else is there to do in Pai: Pai has a slower pace of life than some of the busier resorts and tourist spots in Thailand. Some of the best things to do in Pai are to go river tubing, watch the sunset at Pai Canyon and to visit the Big Buddha.

For a full list of my top recommendations for visiting Pai, check out my blog post, here.

Koh Samui's Fisherman's Village night market

Fisherman’s village night market is the longest market in Koh Samui, stretching all along the main road running through Fisherman’s Village. The market is surrounded by bars and restaurants, including the very popular Coco Tams. I’d recommend grabbing a bean bag at Coco Tams to watch the sunset with a cocktail before heading to the night market for a great night out in Koh Samui.

Fisherman's Village Night Market - everything you need to know

Fisherman’s Village night market opening hours: Every Friday night, from 5 PM to 11 PM the market completely transforms the narrow walking street into a lively hub of activity.

How to get to Fisherman’s Village night market: The night market (or Walking Street as it is often known as), is located on Bophut’s Beach Road, just set back from the main Bophut beach. There are so many tuk tuks and Songtheaws in Koh Samui that even if you are staying elsewhere on the island, you can easily reach the Walking street, even without your own scooter.

What to buy at Fisherman’s Village market: Similar to many other markets in Thailand, you can find a vast array of items here, including clothing, souvenirs, crafts and of course amazing Thai food. In some of the quieter sections of the market, or where there is more space you might also see some street performers.

Tips for visiting the Fisherman’s Village market: Get there early as it gets very popular and more crowded as the night goes on.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Where to stay in Koh Samui: The area of Fisherman’s Village and Bophut is home to some stunning 4 and 5 star resorts. If you are looking to splash out, take a look at the beautiful NH Collection Samui Peace resort or the Bandara Spa resort.

If you are looking for more affordable accommodation then there are some great options in lively Chaweng, such as Lub d Samui Chaweng Beach or COSI Samui. Further south on the Island, in Lamai you can get a little more for your money with some great options like the Amarina Green boutique hotel.

What else is there to do in Koh Samui: There is so much to do in Koh Samui, I loved it here. If you enjoy hiking, I would definitely recommend hiking up Na Mueang waterfall – check out my guide here on how to do it. If that sounds too much effort, visit Lamai viewpoint cafe for more relaxed vibes, or see the Wat Plaim Laem temple in Bophut.

One of the best things to do in Koh Samui is to book onto a Full Day Ang Thong Marine Park tour. I had the best time on this tour – the views are incredible!

For all my recommendations on the best things to do in Koh Samui – read my blog here.

Naka Weekend Market, Phuket

Phuket has so many great markets that I’ve written a whole blog about my favourite markets in Phuket, which you can read here

But perhaps one of the most popular is the Naka Weekend Market, which has claimed the title of the largest night market in Phuket.

Naka Weekend Market - everything you need to know

Naka market opening hours: Every Saturday and Sunday, from 4pm – 10pm

How to get to Naka market: Naka market is located just 3km / 5 minutes from Phuket Town, but can be easily reached from Karon, Kata and Patong. The best way to get there is by scooter or local taxi/tuk tuk. If you arrive by taxi, there are plenty of taxis waiting to take you home after. Just note that Phuket is extremely busy and the traffic can be quite overwhelming, so I’d only recommend hiring a scooter if you are confident and experienced.

What to buy at Naka market: Naka Market is great if you want to do some shopping, with 100’s of stalls selling everything from clothes, leather, sportswear, crafts and suitcases.

There are of course plenty of great food and drink options, too. Naka market is a great low-key, budget night out in Phuket. Do some shopping, have dinner and enjoy the live music

Tips for visiting the Naka market: The market is all under cover so even if it is raining, it is a great place to spend the evening.

Kata Walking Street, Kata, Phuket

I couldn’t not include Kata walking street in this list as it is such a great food market and perfect if you are staying by the beach in Kata or Karon.

Kata Walking Street - everything you need to know

Kata Walking Street opening hours: 3pm – 11pm, every day except Sunday.

How to get to Kata Walking Street: If you are staying in Kata or the south end of Karon, you can easily walk to the Kata Walking street. There is also the Phuket Smart Bus which connects Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai. Otherwise, the easiest way is to get a taxi or Songtheaw.

What to buy at Kata Walking Street: Food! This is such a great spot for street food, with everything from Wagu Steak and sushi to crab pancakes, Pad Thai and even burgers and kebabs. There are several pop up bars and also nearby permanent bars.

Tips for visiting Kata Walking Street: Along the walking street, there are limited seating areas, so if you want to sit down, it might be better to walk to the end of the walking street and get something from the food court instead. Or just arrive a little earlier.

Where to stay in Phuket

Where to stay near Naka Market: Phuket Town is the closest ‘hub’ to Naka Market and is also a great option if you want to be in the centre of things. Many ferries to the nearby islands leave from Rassada pier near Phuket Old Town as well. I stayed at Aekkeko Hostel in Phuket Town and would recommend it for a budget-friendly option. It has a mix of dorm rooms and private ensuite rooms. There are also lots of boujee boutique hotels in Phuket Town, like the Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel

Where to stay near Kata Walking Street: I’ve stayed at both the Sugar Palm Grand Hillside resort and the Beach Heights resort in Kata and would recommend both of them. However, if you are looking for a more budget friendly option near the beach, then the Fishtail Hostel near Karon beach is a good option.

What else is there to do in Phuket: There are so many great things to do in Phuket, from enjoying the many gorgeous beaches (check out my favourite beaches in Phuket, here), to visiting the iconic Big Budhha.

One of the best things to do in Phuket is to take a boat trip to Hong Island. This is the full day tour I did which included canoeing around the islands and lagoon and I would highly recommend it.

For other recommendations for what to do in Phuket, check out my blog post, here: Best things to do in Phuket.

Naka Weekend Market (L) and the Kata and Karon food court, just off the outdoor walking street (R)

Cicada Market, Hua Hin

This weekend market is a great option for a night out in Hua Hin. It is more than just a market, with lots of outdoor seating and live music performances. There are even activities for kids, making it a great place for families to spend the night in Hua Hin.

Cicada Market- everything you need to know

Cicada market opening hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 4pm – 11pm.

How to get to Cicada market: Located in the south of Hua Hin, close to Nong Kae railway stop. If you are staying outside of Hua Hin, you could get the train then walk to the market. (Google.says you cant but there are crossing points at the end of the station platform). You can also get a taxi if you don’t ride a scooter.

What to buy at Cicada market: The cicada market feels different to other night markets and there is a strong focus on cultural, art and craft. Here, you will find beautiful art pieces, hand made jewelry and home decor. You can also find clothes and souvenirs.

Tips for visiting the Cicada market: Don’t rush! Stay and enjoy the atmosphere, watch a play or live music.

Where to stay in Hua Hin

Where to stay: Close to the Cicada Market is the luxurious 5 star Hyatt Regency. However, if you are looking for something a little more moderate, but still with a bit of luxury, then the Amari Hua Hin is a good alternative. There are also lots of budget friendly options like the Bonne Nuit Hotel.

What else is there to do in Hua Hin: Hua Hin is a popular tourist location, known for its beaches and golf courses. However one of the best things to do book a small group tour like this one to the Sam Roi Yot National Park and Phraya Nakhon Cave

Bang Niang night market, Khao Lak

This night market took me by surprise and it was probably one of the better markets I’ve visited for shopping, especially for local crafts and homeware.

Bang Niang Market- everything you need to know

Bang Niang Night market opening hours: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, between 10am- 11pm.

How to get to Bang Niang market: Khao Lak is quite a big place but the main tourist areas are around Khao Lak Beach and Bang Niang Beach. The two areas are divided by a large ‘park’ / undeveloped bit of land. The market is located on the northern end of Khao Lak tourist area, just off the main road. There is a taxi rank outside the market and a large sign if you are walking or making your own way there.

What to buy at Bang Niang market: Similar to most Thai markets, you can get sports shirts, t-shirts, handbags and luggage. But there were also quite a few watch shops and some good trainers stalls as well. I was particularly impressed with the home stalls. I bought some beautiful wooden carved vases and a fruit bowl.

The food part of the night market was also slightly different to other markets in that most of the stalls had seating and once you ordered with them, they bought the food over. There were also quite a few small pop up bars within the market as well which was fun.

Tips for visiting the Bang Niang market: Mondays seem to be the busiest nights, so avoid Mondays if you don’t want it to be too crowded. As of January 2026, Thursday is a recent addition to the market schedule, so this is the quietest day if you prefer to shop with fewer other people.

Where to stay in Khao Lak

Where to stay in Khao Lak: If you want to be close to lots of bars and restaurants and shops, it is best to stay near Bang Niang Market. I stayed at Sudala Beach resort which was a great mid-range option with good service and facilities. There are also budget options, which tend to be closer to the main road, such as the Thai Life Guesthouse.

The more luxurious resorts tend to be on the other, quieter end of Khao Lak, like the Moracea by Khao Lak Resort, which is perfect for honeymoons or quieter vacations.

What else is there to do in Khao Lak: Khao Lak is a great place to visit and there are lots of activities to do including some amazing daytrips. One of the best tours you can take is a full day boat trip to the beautiful Similan Islands. This is the exact Similan Island tour I did whilst I was in Khao Lak and it was one of the best tours I’ve done.

Check out this post for other unmissable things to do in Khao Lak.