Wat Karon
A twice-weekly temple market that's worth an hour if you're already in Karon, not a trip across the island.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Tue 12:00–22:00, Fri 12:00–22:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
- Phone
- +66 98 710 7629
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Karon
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Karon.
Why go, and how to do it well
Two days a week, the grounds of the temple on Patak Road fill up with stalls, and that's the whole appeal. Tuesdays and Fridays, midday to 10pm, and outside those hours there's no market to see. Prices sit well below what you'll pay closer to the beachfront, which is the main reason to walk up here rather than eat where you're staying.
What's on sale shifts. Some people come away with handicrafts, spices and decent kids' clothing at prices that survive a bit of polite haggling. Others turn up to find fruit and not much else. Go with loose expectations. The stall near the exit selling scorpion, water bug, silkworm, bamboo worm, grasshopper and cricket is the one people remember, and the woman running it doesn't mind curious tourists. Early evening is the sweet spot, once the heat drops and more vendors have set up.
Push too hard on price and you'll get nowhere. A smile does more here than a hard bargain.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Karon
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Tours that include Wat Karon
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Wat Karon.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Karon, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minWat Suwannakiri Khet (Wat Karon)Temples & Culture · 20 m · 4.6★
- 1 minKaron Night MarketMarkets & Shopping · 40 m · 4.2★
- 3 minParadox Resort PhuketHotels & Resorts · 230 m · 4.5★
- 5 minDinner in the Sky PhuketRestaurants & Food · 420 m · 4.9★
- 6 minHalo Rooftop BarNightlife & Bars · 470 m · 4.8★
- 8 minKaron BeachBeaches · 660 m · 4.6★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Wat Karon, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This is a must do if you're in Phuket. We found really good quality clothes for our kids. Vendors do negotiate but dont push them. Its a good market with a wide variety of things to buy. Prices are reasonable.
Not really that small as others have reviewed, but it's popular with the crowd. The food prices are very decent compared to if you go further downwards, closer to the beach areas, which are more expensive. You can't enter the Wat but still can take some nice photos. Take care not to destroy or dirty the area.
This temple market was nothing to brag about. Not the greatest selection of things and there was no food at all except for fruit. Nobody wanted to negotiate.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 3,402 reviews on Google.
Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 3.5 km away of Wat Karon.
Wat Suwannakiri Khet (Wat Karon)
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Major temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun are dramatically less crowded before 9 AM. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Karon: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Karon worth visiting?
Wat Karon holds a 4.3★ rating from 3,402 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Phuket.
What are the opening hours of Wat Karon?
Wat Karon is typically open 12:00-22:00 — 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 Wat Karon?
The best months to visit Phuket are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough seas).
Where is Wat Karon located?
Wat Karon is at Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand, in Phuket. Getting around Phuket: Grab (widely available); Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate).
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