Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today

Food Market

A local food market on Koh Samet offering fresh produce, street food, and everyday essentials.

Directions

Plan your visit

Getting there
Koh Samet Pier for Boat Transport
7 min walk

Haggle at Markets, Not Malls

Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.

Why go, and how to do it well

Tucked away on the island of Koh Samet in Rayong Province, this local food market serves as a gathering point for both residents and visitors looking to experience everyday island life beyond the beach. It offers a grounded, authentic alternative to the resort restaurants and tourist-facing food stalls that dominate much of the island, making it a worthwhile stop for travelers who want a more genuine sense of local culture.

Visitors can expect a relaxed, neighborhood market atmosphere with vendors selling fresh produce, ready-to-eat Thai dishes, and basic household goods. The market caters primarily to locals, which means prices tend to be accessible and the food reflects genuine regional cooking rather than menus adapted for foreign palates. It is a practical spot to pick up snacks, fresh fruit, or a simple meal without the premium pricing common in tourist areas.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026

Stay within reach of Food Market

Sponsored

Search Koh Samet hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.

See hotels near Food Market

Opens Booking.com with your dates

Also compare on Expedia · Trip.com

Book ahead in Koh Samet

Bookable experiences in Koh Samet that pair with a visit here.

Sponsored · GetYourGuide

Around here, on foot

Well-rated places within a short walk of Food Market, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.

Experience hints

Thailand, 12.569013, 101 Tambon Phe, Amphoe Mueang Rayong, Chang Wat Rayong 464570, Thailand

Open in Google Maps

Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping

Arrive Early or Late

Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.

Claim Your VAT Refund

Spend 2,000+ THB at a single store displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists' signs, get a yellow form at the register, and claim 7% VAT back at the airport. It adds up fast on bigger purchases.

Food Market: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Food Market worth visiting?

Food Market holds a 4.6★ rating from 23 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated markets & shopping in Koh Samet.

When is the best time to visit Food Market?

The best months to visit Koh Samet are November – April (driest island near Bangkok), with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in Weekends & Thai public holidays — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: Thai long weekends (crowds, not weather).

Where is Food Market located?

Food Market is at Thailand, 12.569013, 101 Tambon Phe, Amphoe Mueang Rayong, Chang Wat Rayong 464570, Thailand, in Koh Samet. Getting around Koh Samet: Green songthaews between the pier and the beaches; Walking — the east-coast beaches connect via a coastal path.

Also popular in Koh Samet

Buzz Coco Club

Buzz Coco Club

4.7(722)$$$$
40, 11, Tambon Phe, Amphoe Mueang Rayong, Chang Wat Rayong 21160, Thailand
A relaxed beachside club restaurant on Koh Samet serving food and drinks daily from 11am.
Wat Khao Samphao Thong

Wat Khao Samphao Thong

4.5(61)
JCR6+PFF, Phe, Mueang Rayong District, Rayong 21160, Thailand
A hilltop Buddhist temple on Koh Samet offering spiritual atmosphere and scenic island views.
Audibar | Koh Samed

Audibar | Koh Samed

4.3(125)$$$$
23/2หมู่4ซีบรีซบังกะโล เกาะเสม็ด, ตำบลเพ อำเภอเมืองระยอง ระยอง 21160, Thailand
A casual island bar inside a bungalow complex, best on a quiet weekday evening
Tree roots retreat

Tree roots retreat

4.9(114)
75, 8, Tambon Taphong, Amphoe Mueang Rayong, Chang Wat Rayong 21000, Thailand
A nature-surrounded wellness retreat and guesthouse near Rayong's beach, run by warm, attentive hosts.

Similar Markets & Shopping across Thailand

Pattaya Night Bazaar

Pattaya Night Bazaar

4.2(23,704)
519, 106 หมู่ที่ 10 Thanon Pattayasaisong, ตำบล หนองปรือ, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Covered aisles of clothes, bags and souvenirs where the first price quoted is never the real one.
Night Food Market

Night Food Market

4.2(656)
474C+FX5, Thanon Rural, Tambon Ko Chang, Amphoe Ko Chang, Chang Wat Trat 23170, Thailand
A lively evening food market on Koh Chang, open nightly from 5:30pm for street food and local finds.
Saeng Thong Market

Saeng Thong Market

4.1(545)
9C4Q+R72, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand
A bustling daily fresh market in Pai where locals shop for produce, meat, and affordable street food.
Pantip Market

Pantip Market

4.5(3,943)
PX6P+VRW, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
A working island market where the prices are local, not resort, and the kitchen never really shuts.