🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The Tapi River is the largest river in southern Thailand. It rises in the Khao Luang range in Nakhon Si Thammarat, runs through the middle of Surat Thani, and empties into the sea at Ban Don Bay. The old "Ban Don" quarter grew up right along this river, and these days the riverbank turns into the town's gathering spot in the evenings — markets, viewpoint plazas, coffee shops and the City Pillar Shrine, all within easy walking distance of one another.
Tapi riverside markets — what's on which day
Part of the charm of Surat Thani is that its evening riverside markets rotate by day. Some are open daily, others only on Saturday–Sunday. Time your visit right and you can hit a different vibe each day. Here's the rundown you'll want before you go.
Ban Don Floating Market (Whale Plaza / Tha Pla Wan)
The most famous market on the Tapi River, set on the Tha Pla Wan bend with a big whale sculpture as the photo landmark. There's a riverside plaza to sit, plenty of food and souvenirs, and it's a sunset spot where locals love to come and chill.
Narit Bridge Walking Street (Ban Don)
A walking street along the Tapi River near Narit Bridge, next to the city library. It runs a long stretch by the water with food, souvenirs, handmade goods and usually live music. This is the town's liveliest Saturday evening market.
San Chao Market (Soi Ti Lek)
The town's legendary evening street-food market, open daily, with food packed down the whole alley — savory and sweet, all easy on the wallet. This is where Surat Thani locals actually come for dinner, not a market built for tourists.
100-Year Arch Bridge Market
A market in the old Sino-Portuguese buildings on Setthaphak Road, with the headline feature being the arched bridge linking two century-old buildings. Stalls sell vintage and secondhand pieces, handmade goods, souvenirs and food — great for anyone who likes photographing the old quarter.
Match your day to the market
If you only have one night: Saturday for Narit Bridge · Sunday for Ban Don Floating Market (Whale Plaza) · and the San Chao market is open daily, so even on a weekday when the other markets are closed you've still got somewhere to walk and find food.
Want more out of Surat Thani? 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.
What to eat at the riverside evening markets
Surat Thani's evening markets are strong on proper southern Thai food and old-school sweets. These are the ones you'll spot often and that reviews say are genuinely good.
- Khanom kho — boiled rice-flour dumplings filled with palm sugar and rolled in coconut, a local sweet that's easy to find at the San Chao market.
- Pak mo kathi — steamed rice sheets topped with southern-style coconut cream, a moreish snack with a nice sweet-savory balance.
- Pork tendon meatballs / hanging-leg sausages — grilled favorites with long queues just about every evening.
- Khanom jin nam ya tai — rice noodles with bold southern curry sauce, eaten with raw veg on the side, a light riverside meal.
- Fried mushrooms and assorted fritters — grab a bag to carry while you sip coffee or tea along the bank at sunset.
Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine — Srivijaya-style landmark
The Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine sits in the Ban Don area, not far from the Tapi riverside. The highlight is the Srivijaya-style mondop pavilion, which looks like the Phra Borommathat Chaiya but larger. It's the town's principal shrine, where Surat Thani locals come to pay respects and make wishes. If you want to make a full offering, flowers, incense and candles are set out for you starting at around 50 THB. In the evening it's lit up beautifully, so it pairs perfectly with a walk straight after the riverside markets.
Shrine etiquette
Dress modestly, take your shoes off before stepping up to the mondop, and keep your voice down inside the shrine grounds. On Buddhist holy days and during festivals it gets especially busy, so allow a little extra time and you'll have an easier go of it.
Evening walking spots along the Tapi
Whale Plaza / Tha Pla Wan bend
A wide-angle riverside plaza with a full view of the Tapi River and a whale sculpture for photos — the best sunset-watching corner in town.
Riverside levee downtown – Sri Tapi Bridge
Stroll the bank in front of town with a view of the bridge crossing the river. The breeze is just right in the evening, good for a run or a walk.
Old town: Na Mueang Road – Talat Lang
Old shophouses, coffee shops, cafes and traditional eats, an easy walk on from the 100-Year Arch Bridge Market.
An evening walking plan along the Tapi
If you've got a half day from afternoon into the evening in town, lay it out like this and it all flows on foot (adjust to the day you visit so you catch the right market).
Walking-street route
Floating-market route
The market that's open daily
Getting there & parking
The Ban Don area is the heart of town and almost everything is within walking distance, but parking during the Saturday–Sunday evening markets gets tight. Best to arrive about half an hour before opening, or park a bit farther out and walk in — you'll find a spot more easily that way.
Plan a full Surat Thani trip from start to finish
See the Surat Thani guide →