Phuket markets

Posted by Andaman Sam on April 8th, 2010 filed in Activities, Tourist tips

Markets are what shopping in Thailand as all about. The street markets in beach road area sell all kinds of clothing, T-shirts, DVD movies, watches, along with gifts and souvenir items. Remember to compare prices and bargain hard but with a smile.

FRESH MARKETS: - Sell fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. They may not have items on a tourist list but looking around a fresh market can be enjoyable way to mix with the local people and soak up with colors and smells.

STREET MARKETS: – Phuket has various street markets as any place you have visited so far in Thailand and below are a few of them.

-       Patong Beach Road: – is the main shopping street catering for tourists. All along beach road south of soi Bangla and down a few small alleys (sois), are stalls and shops selling cheap designer goods, beach wear, watches, some electrical goods and souvenir items?

-       Bangla road: - Pretty much a continuation of stalls and shops along beach road but with bars and the best shopping recommended time, is in the evening.

-       Patak Road (Karon Circle Area): - Similar to Patong beach road, but fewer stalls and shops in comparison.

-       Taina Road (Kata): – A few shops and stalls beginning at the end of the intersection near Dino Park and continuing down Taina road.

Chao Fah Variety (Opposite Wat Nakha, Phuket City): - Also known as the Weekend Market, this market recently sprung up on the outskirts of Phuket city just off Chaofa west road opposite Wat Nakha (Nakha temple). It is now Phuket’s largest weekend market, having taken over from now defunct Chatuchak Phuket market. This market has a wide range of products and items on sale.

Phuket Square (Tilak Uthit 2 Road, Phuket City): – Another new market near the royal Phuket City Hotel selling clothes, decorative items, Furniture and house hold goods.

Cherang Talay Market (near Cherand Police station):- This market opens on Sundays and Wednesdays, it is much smaller version of the weekend market in Phuket city.

FRESH MARKETS: - Most Thais in Phuket buy most of their groceries from fresh markets and they are dozens of them all over the island.

-       Downtown Market (Ranong Road Phuket City): - has been in existence since the city’s early history when pirates and traders came to sell their wares or pick supplies. These days most of the shoppers are house wives and cooks.

-       Robinsons Market: - Located in a small road between Robinsons and Ocean departmental stores. This market opens in the morning hours, however at night; there are a lot of food stalls serving cheap and tasty Thai food.