Chillva Market
A market that is popular with the young “in” crowd of Phuket, Chillva Market is a stylish, modern market with distinctive shipping-container shops and treasures to be found under white-tented stalls. Located on Yarowat Road towards Phuket Town, the full market is open from 4-11pm Thursday to Saturday, whilst the shipping container shops are open daily. Rather than counterfeit goods, the clothing and accessories available here are stylish, local brands, and everything is available at local prices.
There are a number of small bars and restaurants to be found in the containers, yet some of the best food choices are found in the market itself; from tasty desserts to crunchy fried bugs, you are guaranteed a good feed at rock-bottom prices. With live music providing the perfect shopping and dining soundtrack, it is easy to see why Chillva Market is thought to be amongst the best markets on the island.
Banzaan Fresh Market
If you are looking for some authentic seafood close to Patong Beach, here is where to get it. And Bazaan has other goodies too like Thai sweets and a unique selection of fruits that may look strange yet taste delicious. There is food here that you can take right to the beach with you. Indulge in ready-made meals, plus fresh exotic drinks like sugarcane, coconut and guava juice.
Phuket Indy Market
As its name suggests, the Indy Market is home to independent traders rather than professional peddlers and, being locally known as “a market to let go of your goods”, is the closest thing Phuket has to a ‘bring-and-buy’ sale. One of Phuket’s quieter night markets, it is popular with young Thais for its entertainment and great homemade snacks. Despite its small size, it is one of the most cool and comfortable markets, where you are sure to find something special to buy at a great price.
Phuket Weekend Market
A huge night bazaar that also goes by the name of Naka Market, the Phuket Weekend Market is reminiscent of Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market due to its sheer size and the fact that seemingly anything and everything can be bought here. From new and old clothes to electronics, to tonnes of gifts and souvenirs, not to mention animals and pets, whatever you are looking for, you are bound to find it here. Fresh food is available in abundance, from stinky durian to your Thai street food favourites, and the low prices mean you can afford to be adventurous when it comes to trying new things. There are tables to sit at, but they are more often than not full, so eating as you are shopping may be your best bet.
Karon Temple Market
Wat Karon’s compound covers approximately 12,000sqm, and twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) becomes a lively market at which visitors can find a great choice of products, and local food, giving a real insight into local culture. The ranges of products on display at the market is definitely tourist oriented, from fluorescent Singha beer sleeveless T-shirts to Thai-style bags, scarves and sarongs to multi-coloured swimsuits and beachwear to flower-shaped soap carvings to Muay Thai (Thai boxing) shorts to branded (unofficially) watches and handbags to cheap jewellery, all affordable gifts and souvenirs to take back home.