Near Central Festival, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Naka Weekend Market, also known as Naka Market or locally as 'Talad Tairod' (Car Boot Sale), is one of Phuket's largest and most popular night bazaars, often compared to Bangkok's famous Chatuchak Market. Located near Central Festival shopping mall on the outskirts of Phuket Town, this expansive market transforms into a vibrant evening destination every weekend. The market operates with weekend night market on Saturdays and Sundays from 4pm to 10pm, and a smaller street food market Monday through Friday from 4pm to 9pm. Food is the main attraction with extensive Thai street food offerings: boiled buttered corn on the cob, spicy sausages, grilled chicken and seafood, fishcakes, exotic fruits, grilled lobsters and prawns cooked to order, mango sticky rice and banana pancakes, sweet fish cakes, taro buns, and fresh BBQ meats at cheap prices. Shopping stalls offer handicrafts and souvenirs including batik sarongs, elephant-themed items, t-shirts, and local art, clothing and accessories at negotiable prices, sweets and Thai desserts, and local products perfect for gifts. The atmosphere is authentically Thai with fewer foreign tourists than beach-area markets. Prices are negotiable at most stalls though not for food. Best strategy is to arrive as soon after 4pm as possible to avoid the worst crowds and have first pick of fresh food. Free parking available. This is an excellent introduction to Thai market culture in a less overwhelming setting than Bangkok's mega-markets.