Phuket Weekend Market and Chillva Market
A huge evening market of street food, clothes and gadgets, plus a hip market in shipping containers.
- Area
- Old town & culture
- Start from
- Phuket Town
- Distance
- edge of Phuket Town
- Time needed
- an evening
- Best season
- All year; weekends
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Transport
- Taxi, Grab, scooter
- Tickets & rules
- None
Why go
The Phuket Weekend Market, also known as Naka Market, is a sprawling evening market where locals shop for clothes, fruit and street food.
Chillva Market is younger and trendier, with vintage shops and bars in colourful containers.
Both are great for eating your way through Thai snacks.
The food section is the reason to come: grilled squid, sticky rice in bamboo, crispy pork, fresh fruit shakes, Thai desserts in banana leaves, and dozens of things you'll need to point at to order.
Clothes and souvenirs are cheaper than in the tourist areas, and haggling is polite and good-natured.
Chillva Market, closer to the town centre, is set in rows of brightly painted shipping containers with small boutiques, tattoo parlours and craft beer bars. It attracts a younger local crowd and has a relaxed, creative atmosphere.
The story
Markets have always been the social heart of Thai towns, and the weekend market is where many Phuket families spend their evening out.
Chillva grew as a place for young local designers and small businesses.
Night markets are a centuries-old tradition in Thailand, where the evening is the cool time to shop and socialise. In Phuket they also bring together Thai, Chinese and Muslim food cultures in one place.
Many vendors have had the same stall for years and families come back to their favourites every weekend.
Getting there
Both are on the edge of Phuket Town; taxis and Grab know them well.
Songthaew buses don't run late, so plan a Grab or taxi back.
A suggested plan
- Early eveningArrive at sunset as stalls open.
- EveningEat: grilled seafood, satay, mango sticky rice.
- LateMove to Chillva for a drink.
- OptionalBefore the market, visit the old town for an afternoon walk, then head to the market at dusk.
Where to stay
Phuket Town or anywhere with a taxi back.
Good to know
- Bring small notes.
- Try one thing you've never heard of.
- Go hungry and share dishes so you can try more.
- Bring a reusable bag.
- Wash hands often; wet wipes help.
- Crowded; keep wallets secure.
- Opening days change; check before going.