The second main precinct is based on a Western style flea market with tents, awnings and vendor’s stall. Stallholders sell a huge assortment of Thailand’s famous souvenirs, pictures and other art works, traditional and retro clothing plus tasty snacks and beverages.
The container bar-cafés open every evening. The flea market operates between 16:00 to 22:00 every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On average, there are about 300 stalls open on any given night at the flea market.
There is a central area with a pond and bandstand for live music and cultural performances. Phakanan Daowatthanakij is the brains behind Chillva Market and he said that although the facility had cost THB20 million to set up, its popularity ensured it would take only two years to recoup the investment.
Chillva Market is located on Yaowarat Road and close to the Aphrodite Cabaret Show. By taxi, it takes about 10 minutes to get to from Phuket Old Town. Phuket’s main bus station is also on the outskirts of town and the terminus for intercity buses from Phang Nga, Suratthani, Bangkok and other key destinations in the southern half of Thailand.
New Phuket weekend market and lifestyle complex packs in punters
News in Asia
Phuket residents and tourists have been crowding into the island’s newest shopping and lifestyle complex since its soft opening late last month. Chillva Market features two main zones. The first is a park zone made out of old shipping containers which have been given a new lease of life as hip cafés and bars.