Mae Nam Afternoon Market
A daily local food market in northern Samui where 4pm is the sweet spot and dinner costs pocket change.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 15:30–20:00
- 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.
Tours that include Mae Nam Afternoon Market
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Mae Nam Afternoon Market.
This placeMae Nam Afternoon Market: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
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FoodStreet-food tours in Koh Samui
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursKoh Samui day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
This is a market for residents, not for holiday shopping, and that's exactly why I'd send you. Vendors here answer to people who buy their dinner in the same spot every day, so the fruit is fresh and the prices stay honest. You won't find silk scarves and elephant trousers. You'll find grilled seafood, noodles, piles of tropical fruit, fresh flowers, a few handmade bits and the sort of household goods nobody photographs.
It runs daily from 3.30pm to 8pm, and my advice is to get there between 4 and 5.30. The good stuff sells out, and there's no glory in turning up at half seven to a row of packed-away tables. Eat as you walk. A handful of stalls will feed you properly for less than a single dish costs in Chaweng, and the pace is slow enough that you can double back for a second round without anyone hurrying you along.
Mae Nam is up on the north coast, so if you're staying south or east, build in the drive rather than treating this as a quick stop.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Mae Nam Afternoon Market, round out your day in Koh Samui with contrasting stops nearby.
HXGM+2WQ, Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore markets & shopping nearby
All within 4.9 km away of Mae Nam Afternoon Market.
Maenam Night Market
A neighbourhood market on the quiet north shore, best after dark when the food stalls hit their stride.
Maenam Morning Market
Set your alarm: this is a working local market where the good stuff goes by 7am, not a tourist attraction.
The Wharf Walking Street
Come for the food end, bring cash, and don't turn up on a Thursday or Saturday.
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.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
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.
Mae Nam Afternoon Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mae Nam Afternoon Market worth visiting?
Mae Nam Afternoon Market holds a 4.5★ rating from 663 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated markets & shopping in Koh Samui.
What are the opening hours of Mae Nam Afternoon Market?
Mae Nam Afternoon Market is typically open 15:30-20:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Mae Nam Afternoon Market?
The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).
Where is Mae Nam Afternoon Market located?
Mae Nam Afternoon Market is at HXGM+2WQ, Mae Nam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.
Also popular in Koh Samui
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Wat Phra Yai
A 12-metre gilded Buddha, free entry and 360-degree views over the bays: half an hour well spent.
Hin Ta Hin Yai
Two rude-shaped rocks, free to visit, worth twenty minutes and a coconut ice cream on the way out.
THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT
Hanging nets over the jungle canopy, sunset timed right, and a live band once it gets dark.
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