Night markets have a tempting charm that draws people after a long day of work or adventure. These markets come to life when the sun dips down and the moon takes over. The streets and alleys sizzle with food stalls, lanterns, the chatter of people, and the melodies of smiles and smells that are a treat to the senses. These markets are not just a place to eat or shop, they reflect the culture of a specific town or city.
Among the different night markets around the world, the ones found at Koh Samui are quite famous. These markets make a big part of Thai culture, as Thailand’s local food, lively entertainment, and nightlife scenes come to light here. Each of them offers a unique experience to the visitors. Koh Samui luxury holidays are not complete unless you visit these markets. In this guide, we will mention the best night markets and what makes them so special.
What Makes These Night Markets Special?
Before uncovering the charm of each of the night markets of Krabi, let us first see what makes them worth visiting.
Culture Through Food
When we often hear the name of a night market, we associate it with shopping. But for Krabi’s night markets, this is not the case. These markets are the hub of cultures where tourists from different regions come together to have fun. Thai people greet the visitors with a wide range of food options like pad thai, mango sticky rice, and coconut ice cream, to name a few. All of the dishes are made live, on your request. So you get to watch how each flavour mixes up well to suit your taste buds.
Shopping
Now comes the thing which markets are famous for: shopping. As you step into these night markets, you will find stalls selling everything from clothes and handicrafts to souvenirs. These markets are the best places for some retail therapy. Most importantly, bargain about everything; this adds fun to the shopping experience.
Mini Floating Markets
In Koh Samui, just like Bangkok, there is a floating market at Central Festive Mall. Vendors sell goods on boats, adding a feel to the overall shopping experience.
Famous Night Markets of Koh Samui
Fisherman’s Village Walking Street
Opening every Friday evening, the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street market is located along Bophut Beach. It is famous for its food scene, live entertainment, cultural dances, and exquisite shopping stalls. Hence, this market finely blends tradition with modernism. For those who want to experience authentic island vibes and culinary adventure, this is a must-visit place in Koh Samui. To cater to every craving, plenty of options are available, especially prawns, fish curries, and grilled food. Some other famous dishes are spicy crickets, tom yum goong, and pla pao. After you are done with some good food, you can find a huge variety of stalls offering trendy stuff like handmade jewellery, handbags, and clothes. With a great shopping and food experience, you can also enjoy the traditional Thai performances and cultural shows. The Bophut Night Market isn’t only a place for eating or shopping; it’s a complete demonstration of Koh Samui’s culture, traditions, and heritage. It takes only 15-20 minutes to walk to the market if you are staying near central Bophut Beach. And for those staying at Fisherman’s Wharf Samui, the market is located at a walking distance of only 10 minutes.
Nathon Night Market
Situated in the heart of Koh Samui’s west coast, Nathon Night Market is a wonderful spot featuring energetic experiences for tourists. A variety of authentic Thai street food makes this place a true paradise for all food lovers. Pad Thai, som tum, and Tom yum goong are some of the most favourite options for the visitors. The grilled seafood is also a treat for the taste buds. The rich aroma of herbs and spices welcomes you and makes your mouth start watering.
Other than food, the real attraction for the tourists here is the local handmade handicrafts. You can get almost everything here, like traditional Thai clothes, jewellery, and handbags. Most of the shopping options here are unique and represent the culture of Thailand. Getting here is easy as well. If you are staying somewhere near the west coast, it takes 30 minutes to travel via bike or taxi. In case you are in central Nathon, reaching the Nathon Night Market is just a matter of a 5-10 minute walk.
Chaweng Walking Street
As the sun sets, Chaweng Walking Street offers an explosion of colours, energy, and lively experiences. It is situated in the heart of Chaweng Beach, giving a complete island vibe. Contrary to other night markets of Koh Samui, this place is exclusively known as a great shopping option. From a cool breezy beach dress to swimsuit, sunglasses, casual t-shirts, shoes, and children’s clothing, you can get a wide range of products here at affordable prices. This market also has food stalls serving grilled chicken, rice, fruit salad, and much more. It also offers authentic Thai dishes like som tum. Just in case you are planning to visit this place, it opens from Thursday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. If you are living around Chaweng Beach, the distance between you and Chaweng Walking Street is just 5-10 minutes. Or if you are coming directly from Samui International Airport, it takes 10-15 minutes, as the market is 3-5 km away from the airport. You can use a taxi or other local transport to get there.
The Wharf Samui Night Market
The Wharf Samui Night Market stands out as the most vibrant and unique shopping destination in Koh Samui. It is located in the Fisherman’s Village area and smoothly blends the charm of a traditional Thai night market. Its shopping centres are the cherry on top. In addition to these shopping centres, the key highlight of this market is dining and entertainment options. This market is famous for its grilled seafood, crêpes, and a variety of sweet and savoury fillings. Hence, all of them satisfy your taste buds. After enjoying good food, you must gear up to tour the lively stalls. From traditional Thai handmade jewellery to different accessories, these stalls offer diverse things for locals and tourists. If you are at Chaweng Beach, reaching here is not difficult. Via taxi, it will take 20 minutes. But if you are living near the Fisherman’s Village area, you will get here in 5 to 10 minutes on foot. Before visiting it, you need to look at your schedule. The market does not remain open the whole week. Instead, it comes to life on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm. So, manage your itinerary accordingly.
Wrap Up
Night markets of Koh Samui are more than about shopping and dining; they are the hub of Thai culture. Everything here, from savoury delights to handmade crafts and the hustle and bustle of the market, is a reflection of the true colours of Koh Samui. Once you are there, you won’t leave without your stomach happy and shopping bags full. So when you go to Koh Samui, don’t forget to visit these markets. In case you are planning a Thailand holiday soon, look no further than Virikson Holidays. It is a leading travel operator in the UK that provides Koh Samui holiday packages at the best rates.
