Night markets marathon in Koh Samui.

For foreign visitors to Koh Samui, the word ‘market’ offers a real taste of thailand with huge outdoor shopping areas that sell everything from food and clothing to dodgy ‘designer’ handbags and copied DVD’s. These markets is one part of exploring local culture and always a great place to pick up some souvenirs that you can take home for friends and family or for yourself as a reminder of your wonderful stay.

One of the best ways to experience night markets is to spend an evening going from stall to stall looking for bargains (though most of the times it is to find unique purchases at a fraction of a cost) and checking out the wide variety of everyday items, souvenirs and exotic goods that are sold there. Normally the markets are just a stone's throw from the beach so if the hustle and bustle of the crowd gets a little too much, you can always break up your shopping trip by taking a bit of time out sipping on an ice cold beer or fresh coconut juice from one of the open air bars on the beach that are situated in and around the market itself.

Here are the schedule of night markets take place around Koh Samui, seven days a week, all year round. Hope you have fun :-)

Mondays and Tuesdays Chaweng: There are two night markets in Chaweng, due to the burst of tourists in this area, one is opposite the lake on the one way system, another one is near the northern end of the boundary wall for Centara Grand. Both start around 5pm and the second one opens every day till late night.

Organic soap

Wednesdays Choeng Mon, from outside Muang Samui hotel along both sides of the main road. Walk carefully because roads are not closed to traffic. Market opens from 5 pm offering quite a good variety of food. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

BBQ dried squids

Thursdays Maenam, traffic is closed from main intersection down to the beach. Relaxed and has a more local feel about it. Home to music stalls that sell miniature guitars, guitar strings, harmonicas and flutes.

View from the street

Sometimes there's a show outside the Chinese temple.

Fridays Bophut - Fisherman’s village from 5 pm till 11pm. This used to be the first and (still) the largest market on Koh Samui and usually very busy if the weather permits. Most restaurants are open all day long and enjoying the crowds along the beach.

Lots of photo oppotunity

Saturdays Nathon walking street is along a minor street between the main road and the beach road.  Starts around 5pm onwards. Roads closed to traffic with prices usually a bit cheaper than other markets. A great place to please your taste buds since there's some special local dishes are sometimes available here only.

Sundays Lamai, last  but not least, is a great way to say Goodbye to a wonderful week. Offer a wide range of pleasure, food and beverage vendors, sourvenirs stands and pool table along the road. Since there is a cross road, you can access from several ways and enjoy the night, just be sure your motorbike is parked properly in the parking lot.

Tips: Most night markets start at 5pm but around 4pm is a fun time to have a cold beer and watch street vendors set up their stalls as the market comes to life.