From bustling tourist hubs to serene morning markets, Khao Lak markets have their charm and specialities. Whether you’re in Khao Lak for an extended stay and need to stock up on groceries or bring a perfect gift back home, you’ll want to know where to go. Here’s a guide to the markets in Khao Lak and what each has to offer.
Bang Niang Tourist Market
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The Bang Niang Tourist Market is a tourist’s favourite spot for shopping in Khao Lak. It’s a must-visit when you’re in Khao Lak for a few days or weeks because this market has it all from groceries to souvenirs, everything you ask for.
Location: Getting to Bang Niang Market is a breeze! It’s on Highway 4 before you reach the Bang Niang traffic lights, just 2 kilometres from Khao Lak centre.
Opening Hours: Bang Naing Tourist Market is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm.
What you can find: whether you want to try out local food, grab a quick bite or chill at one of the market restaurants and bars, Bang Niang Market covers them. Extending from Highway 4, over 300 food stalls offer you various food options from grilled chicken, BBQs, kebabs, burgers, local food and drinks, and traditional desserts to exotic fried bugs and juice. You can also get fresh groceries. There are also different kinds of souvenirs from handcrafted ceramics to fridge magnets.
Price: Prices At Bang Niang Tourist Market are fair given the area and experience you will get. Souvenir prices may be 2 or 3 times higher than local rates. Try bargaining if you feel the prices are too high.
Bang Niang Fresh Morning Market
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
Bang Niang Fresh Market, also called Khao Lak Morning Market is an outdoor market, popular with both tourists and locals. This is where you will get most of your shopping list for your daily meals. Many Thai cooking classes also bring their customers here to buy ingredients for the class and learn about the local culture and products.
Location: Khao Lak-Bang Niang Fresh Market actually falls in the Khuk Khak area, a 10-minute drive (6km) from Khao Lak Center.
Opening hours: It is open daily from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. The best time to visit is early morning when the market is busy and the products are fresh.
What you can find: You will find a variety of fresh produce at the market, including tropical fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, meats, poultry, and seafood. You can sit at one of the teashops and have a local Thai-style breakfast. Nearby shops sell flowers, housewares and imported foods, along with a barber shop, laundry shop, and a Thai dim-sum restaurant. All the groceries and daily essentials, you can find at the market.
Price: Khao Lak-Bang Niang Fresh Market is a local market with very affordable prices. It is cheaper than supermarkets, particularly for breakfast and meat.
Roumjai Evening Market in Khuk Khak
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The Roumjai Market, known as Khuk Khak Afternoon Market is a bustling open-air market located in the Khuk Khak area. Romjai Market is an authentic market, favoured by locals and less touristy compared to the Bang Niang Market, offering a wide range of local snacks and dishes.
Location: The market is situated next to the PTT gas station, about 10 minutes north of La On (Khao Lak centre). If you don’t want to drive along the dirt road to the market, you can park your car or motorbike at the PTT gas station.
Opening hours: The Roumjai Market opens from 2 PM to 8 PM every day. Some shops don’t open until 4 PM, and most close around 7 PM. Visiting during the golden hour, around 5 to 6 PM, is the best time to experience the market at its peak.
What you can find: Groceries at Roumjai Market are comparable to those at the Bang Niang Fresh Morning Market. However, the morning market is larger, with more shops and a wider selection of vegetables and seafood. The key differences are the evening snacks available at Roumjai, such as pad Thai, Isan (Northeastern Thai) dishes, and grilled BBQ. There are also clothing and houseware shops, as well as a shake bar, adding to the vibrant evening market atmosphere.
Price: Prices at Roumjai Market are also similar to those at the morning market—very affordable. Some vendors are the same owners you’ll find in both markets.
Nang Thong Market in La On
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
Nang Thong Supermarket is an air-conditioned grocery store located in La On, favoured by both locals and tourists for its well-organized layout and selection of local and international goods. This is where most tourists come to find imported goods, adding a taste of home to their trip.
Location: Conveniently positioned along Highway 4 at the Nang Thong traffic lights, it’s easily accessible by foot or vehicle. The supermarket offers a great option for those staying nearby who need to stock up on groceries, snacks, or drinks before heading to Nang Thong Beach.
Opening Hours: Nang Thong Supermarket is open daily from early morning until late at night (8 AM to 10 PM), making it a convenient choice for grocery shopping outside regular business hours.
What You Can Find: Nang Thong Supermarket provides Western-branded imported goods, packaged foods, canned goods, grains, bread, pastries, spices, sauces, wine, alcoholic drinks, refreshments, sweets as well as household items.
Price: The price at Nang Thong Supermarket can be higher than other stores considering the international brands and import taxes.
Alive Market in La On
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The Alive Market is a vibrant and popular evening market in the centre of Khao Lak (La On). This central location makes it easily accessible for both tourists and locals, creating a cultural and social hub where people come together to enjoy their evenings.
Location: To reach Alive Market, turn onto Nang Thong Road at the Nang Thong traffic light from Highway 4. You’ll find Alive Market on your right, just in front of Nang Thong Beach.
Opening Hours: Alive Market is open daily, except Wednesdays, from 3 PM to 10 PM. The best time to go there is in the evening when you can enjoy the beautiful sunset of Nang Thong Beach.
What You Can Find: The market features around 30 food stands offering a variety of local foods and desserts. Enjoy local favourites and other options like kebabs, steak, and fried snacks. Refreshments include smoothies, mocktails, fresh drinks, and popsicles. A few shops sell handcrafts, clothes, accessories, and garments. There’s a craft workshop where you can DIY unique handcrafted pieces. An outdoor seating area in front of the beach is available for embracing the sunset with snacks and drinks. While not as extensive as Bang Niang Market, these shops have great potential to grow.
Price: Prices at Alive Market are affordable, making it a great place to enjoy a variety of food and drinks with the vibrant atmosphere of Nang Thong Beach and enhancing the cultural experiences for visitors.
Build Market next to Build Variety Nightclub
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall ★★★★★
The BUILD Market is a small but charming market located in Bang Niang. It is named after the Build Variety Night Club, situated next to it. Before Covid-19, it was a bustling hotspot much like the Bang Niang Tourist Market. Now, some shops strive to reopen, you’ll find only a few dedicated vendors .
Location: Situated in Bang Niang, 3km ( 5 min drive) from La on, BUILD Market is easily accessible just opposite the Lake and next to the Build Variety Night Club.
Opening Time: BUILD Market opens four days a week—Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday—from 4 PM to 9 PM. Since it’s not heavily visited, most shops close by 7:00 PM.
What You Can Find: Though smaller than it once was, BUILD Market still offers a variety of items. A few food stalls serve up local snacks and drinks, good for a quick bite or refreshment to enjoy at the lake in front. There are also some bars and Shabu restaurants where you can enjoy nice cocktails and tasty meals.
Price: Prices at BUILD Market are very reasonable, offering great value for your money. You can enjoy some of the best cocktails and dishes that you won’t find at such affordable prices anywhere else.
Khao Lak Local Market
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Price ★★★★★
Location ★★★★★
Variety ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★
The Khao Lak Local Market is a new lively market located in Bang Niang.
Opening Time: Khao Lak Local Market is open daily from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM, making it perfect for a dinner date or a late-night snack.
Location: Despite the name, it is located in the Bang Niang area 3km ( 5 min drive) from La On. Pass by the Bang Niang Market, turn left at the traffic lights and keep on for 600m and you will find Khao Lak Local Market on your right.
What You Can Find: Food Trucks and Stalls offer a diverse range of food, including cocktails, fresh smoothies, ice cream, popsicles, Thai dishes, grills, chips and fries, Korean foods, Japanese Ramen and sushi. There are some nice seating areas where you can eat or drink, creating a super cozy vibe. Live music on some days also adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the market. There are also clean and free toilets available. Although it has fewer options compared to the Bang Niang Market, it is a brilliant hangout spot.
Price: The Khao Lak Local Market offers quality food at honest prices. For example, you can enjoy a mojito for 70 baht at the entrance and Japanese ramen for 59 baht. The prices are considered average, especially given the clean and cozy atmosphere.
