Food, glorious food

Takeaway food

With Phuket being an island, the fresh seafood at most fresh markets (or 'Talaad Sod' in Thai) is a fascinating sight. You can see huge groupers, big juicy tunas, red snappers, thousands of tiny silvery anchovies and shiny white squid all laying side by side on a bed of ice.

At floor level you may well see bucket loads of thrashing catfish next to large plastic bowls with worried-looking lobsters in them.

Up the aisle will be the chicken lady hacking away on her chopping board while opposite her you can see mountains of garlic, aubergines – both long and short, green runner beans and bright orange carrots, potatoes, shiny red tomatoes and glistening salads.

Next to the vegetable stand you may see the curry man with his three-kilo chunks of red or green curry and further on you could well come across a man selling tricycles. Anything goes in this world of commerce. If it hasn't been rainy the ground will be dusty; if it has, better watch your step in that mud!

Thai takeaways

Weekend market on Chao Fa East Road

While some visitors may not see the attraction in attending such a pungent and vibrant happening, those interested in Thai cuisine will find it fascinating to see where the original ingredients of their beloved 'geng keow waan' (green curry) come from.

Thailand's fresh markets are also a good opportunity to appreciate how rich in food the country is and many shoppers take home an entire cooked meal wrapped and bagged along with their fresh veggies and fruit at the end of their shopping foray.

Where are they?

Weekend market on Chao Fa East Road

Some of Phuket's markets, such as the busy scene on Phuket's Bangkok Road, are daily occurrences while other market traders move from site to site around the island selling their merchandise at 'appointed' markets such as the large one on Chao Fa East Road, which is open every Wednesday and Thursday.

In reality there are dozens of these markets taking place daily in Phuket and you won't have any trouble finding one. If you are driving past one, slow right down as the traffic around fresh markets is at best unpredictable and at worst impassable. Park up the road and walk back a little to catch a glimpse of the 'real' Thailand. Please remember to compare prices and to bargain with a smile for the more expensive items. No smile simply means no bargain.