🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
A lot of people get confused about which day the market in Takua Pa Old Town runs, so let's clear that up first. There are two different times people come here. The first is the morning market, which sells food every day from around 4am into the late morning — the real deal that locals actually eat at. The other is the Sunday evening walking street on Si Takua Pa Road, which has been running since 2007 and only opens on Sunday evenings, roughly 3pm–8pm (busiest in high season, Nov–Apr). If you want both the morning food and the walking-street atmosphere, Sunday is the day that gives you the most.
The Sino-Portuguese shophouses and photo spots
The heart of the old town runs along Si Takua Pa Road — rows of two-storey shophouses with arched doorways, painted in pastels, with stucco detailing that mixes Chinese and European styles. Walk it slowly and you can photograph the whole street. The old-town stretch is about 500 metres, an easy walk with no need to rush.
Baan Khun In
A soft-green Sino-Portuguese house and one of the most popular photo spots in the old town. The architecture is still in great shape.
Tao Ming School
An old building in pale eggshell yellow that speaks to the Chinese community's roots in Takua Pa. A classic angle that's easy to frame.
TROK Cafe
A cafe set inside the shell of an old building right in the old town, open only on Sundays to match the walking street. Sip a coffee and take in the architecture.
Bun Sung Iron Bridge
An old iron bridge across the Takua Pa River, not far from the old-town quarter. Quiet, with a lovely atmosphere for photos in the evening.
Photo tip
Morning light before 9am and the hour near dusk are when the shophouses look their best — midday sun is harsh and hot. If you come on a Sunday evening, the crowds start building after 3pm, so if you want photos of an empty street, get there early.
Want more out of Phang Nga? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The old-town morning market — what to eat
The Takua Pa morning market is the kind of legendary local food scene that locals genuinely eat at. Plenty of stalls open before dawn and sell out fast, so if you're set on the famous ones, come before 8am. Here are the spots people around here recommend.
Pa Lan's Old-Style Khanom Buang
Khanom buang made to an old recipe, with the batter ground in-house from rice and fresh coconut. The result is thick and soft, different from the usual crispy version — and it sells out very fast.
Jin Keng
Dim sum, pork dumplings, pa thong ko, and kaya custard in the Chinese-Takua Pa style. Opens very early and runs into the late morning — a good spot for a proper sit-down breakfast.
Ko Chai Mee Sua
Mee sua and rice porridge — a light breakfast locals love. Mild, easy flavours and friendly prices.
Pa Prem Yen Ta Fo
Yen ta fo, pork noodle soup, and wonton noodles. Opens later than the rest, which makes it a good lunch after you've finished walking the old town (closed on Buddhist holy days).
Straight talk
The morning market is about local food and atmosphere, not a big flashy market. Several of the popular stalls are gone before the late morning, so if you turn up after 9am you might miss out on a few. Plan to get up a little early and you'll get more out of it.
The Sunday evening walking street
If you come on a Sunday, Si Takua Pa Road closes to traffic in the late afternoon and turns into a walking street, with southern food, grilled snacks, roti, fresh fruit, old-style tea and coffee, and handmade souvenirs. It's about 500 metres long, so you can graze your way through in an hour — but if you mean to eat properly, give yourself a couple of hours.
- When — Sunday evenings, roughly 3pm–8pm. Liveliest in high season, Nov–Apr.
- Food — southern street food, grilled snacks, roti, and local sweets at easy prices.
- Atmosphere — eat your way along under the Sino-Portuguese shophouses, with a scattering of street art here and there.
- Size — not huge. Good for an easy half-day stroll, not a full day.
How to get there and the best time to go
- From Khao Lak — about 15–40 minutes by car depending on where you're staying. The route is straightforward.
- From Phang Nga town — around an hour and a half, a good stop on the way north toward Surat Thani.
- Parking — you can park along the streets around the old town. It gets crowded on Sunday evenings, so come ahead of time.
- Best time — high season, Nov–Apr, when the weather is dry and the walking street is busiest.
Plan a full Phang Nga trip — the old town, Khao Lak, and Phang Nga Bay
See the Phang Nga travel guide →