Thai markets are renowned around the world as travelers’ one-stop-shop to buy souvenirs, savor authentic food, and feel the beat of local life.

Some ten years ago, most Phuket night markets targeted predominantly tourists from abroad and thus lacked the authentic vibes “not fit for foreigners.” The game changed when Phuket Town launched its Lard Yai Sunday Market, which this year was supplemented by the Chartered Walking Street Market.

Both Phuket Old Town fairs are designed for Thai and foreign travelers alike, and go beyond elephant pants and “I love Thailand” t-shirts. This is what makes them 100% worth a visit.

Lard Yai

“Lard” – derived from “Talad” – is a southern Thai word for “market,” while “Yai” stands for “Big.” As the name suggests, this is the grand Sunday market on Phuket Town’s renowned Thalang Rd.

From 4pm till around 10pm, the vintage road turns into a walking street and a living museum with beautiful Sino-Portuguese buildings highlighted with colors and live music performed by local bands.

Lard Yai is where Nong Fiet began her road to become the famous Queen On Street, now performing at Phuket’s top-level events.

Numerous street stalls offer a variety of souvenirs and local produce, as well as Thai and Phuket dishes, reflecting the complexity of the island’s social fabric.

Some wares are common, others are unique… but all are better in the vivid atmosphere of Thalang Rd. This is where you go on Sunday to shop the way we, Thais, do.

Chartered Walking Street

As Lard Yai kept growing, it was inevitable that at some point the narrow Thalang Rd would be unable to fit all the vendors and their valued customers. The answer came from Phuket’s own history.

Just like 100 years ago locals started expanding their businesses on the parallel Phang Nga Rd, the market took over this street in late 2023 (or 2566, as Thailand uses the Buddhist calendar). Ahead of the high season, the Chartered Walking Street was unveiled.

The event runs parallel to Lard Yai in terms of both time and location. Surprisingly, the newer market is somewhat different in produce, as brand new souvenirs such as paper versions of Phuket Old Town’s landmarks are unveiled there.

Another welcome addition to the Sunday market scene is the Phuket Art Street, unveiled in late November as part of the Chartered Walking Street program. Concerts, shows, exhibitions, and workshops are held at Soi Pradit off Phang Nga Rd, which turns into a cozy art space linked to the fair but not disturbed by the shopping activities.

Worth a visit? Chai kha!