Pattaya Night Markets Ranked by Locals

Night markets are the heart of local Thai food culture. Prices are 50 to 70 percent below mall restaurants, dishes are cooked fresh in front of you, and you get to see what Thai families actually eat. Pattaya has night markets spread across the city and each one has its own character.

Beyond food, the markets sell clothes, souvenirs, shoes, bags, second-hand goods and home decor. Most items are cheaper than malls and prices can usually be bargained down. They are ideal for budget travellers who still want to take meaningful gifts home.

Rank 1 — Thepprasit Market. Open Friday to Sunday from 17:00 to 22:00. Roughly one kilometre long and packed with Isaan grill stalls, barbecued seafood, Thai desserts and cheap fashion. Must-try stalls include Jae Lek's moo kratha, Jae Daeng's fresh-noodle pad thai, and Bang On's grilled prawns.

Rank 2 — Pattaya Train Market, open daily behind the South Pattaya bus station. The crowd is a mix of Thais and foreigners, with seafood stalls, a famous khao man gai counter and tons of home decor. Prices are well below mall levels and the layout is easy to walk.

Rank 3 — Lan Pho Naklua Market is both a morning wet market and an evening food market, focused on seafood straight from the fishing boats: grilled squid, prawns and fried mackerel. Great value for travellers who come for the food rather than the atmosphere.

Rank 4 — Jomtien Night Market near Soi Jomtien 5 runs every evening with Thai street food, snacks and clothes from 150 baht. It is perfect for guests staying in Jomtien who do not want to travel into central Pattaya at night.

Rank 5 — Banglamung Evening Market is a true local market with few foreign visitors and the cheapest prices in the city. Rice with curry for 40 baht, pad thai for 50 baht. You can cover the whole market in half an hour.

Rank 6 — Asean Market near Pratumnak Bridge serves the Southeast Asian community that lives and works in Pattaya, with Burmese, Cambodian and Lao food alongside Thai. It is not for everyone, but worth a look if you want to see a different side of the city.

Rank 7 — Pratumnak Market is a small 200-metre strip mostly serving the condo community in the area. A good quick stop if you are staying on the hill, but not a tourist destination.

Rank 8 — Naklua Old Market has over 100 years of history and specialises in dried seafood, fish sauce, shrimp paste and gift sets. Chinese tourists love picking up dried goods here. Prices are not the cheapest but quality is reliable.

Start bargaining at 50 to 60 percent of the asking price and settle around 70 to 75 percent. Do not haggle on cooked food — prices are usually fixed and haggling is considered rude. Smile, use "khop khun ka/krap" and you will be offered neighbour prices instead of tourist prices.

The best window to visit is 18:30 to 20:30 when food is fresh, stocks are still full and the crowd is not yet overwhelming. After 21:00 many stalls discount leftovers by 20 to 30 percent, which is great for bargain hunters.