The main conventional market on Ranong Rd in Phuket City starts early. Many vendors open up shop as early as 4am and close around midday. Now, if you've been out having fun until the wee hours, that might just be a little early (unless you simply don't bother going to bed).

But there is an alternative: the talad nat. The talad nat, or community market, is usually set up twice or three times a week, from mid day until late evening. There are lots of them; almost every community, big or small, will have one or two.

Staff at your hotel should be able to tell you when the nearest one is open, and point you in the right direction. Alternatively, see the list below for the locations of some of the talad nat on the island, and the days they open.

Fresher And Cheaper

The talad nat is similar to the weekend markets you'll find in many other countries where farmers bring their produce to sell. Local shoppers love them because the produce is usually fresher than in supermarkets, and cheaper too.

Just next to seafood stand...

In most talad nat, there's very little order to things. You may find barbecued chicken next to a second-hand shoe stall. Or, if you're lucky like I was the other day, you might fine some sexy underwear for sale next to the seafood stand. Lobsters and lace - talk about convenient.

One of the most fun things about exploring a Thai market is seeing things you would never encounter on a hotel menu. How about fried grasshoppers? Or some tasty silkworms? Ants? No? Oh, go on! You really should sample some.

After all, if the French, with their reputation for fine cuisine can eat frogs' legs and snails, what's wrong with a roasted dung beetle or two? I kid you not. Just ask for meng chuchee.

Local veggie... smelly but yummy...

But if you don't see yourself as an insectivore, have a browse, instead, among the vegetable stalls, where you will find a bewildering selection of greens (and reds, yellows, purples and pretty much every other colour of vegetable).

Thais don't just eat the fruit and leaves of plants. On a typical vegetable stand you'll find on sale everything from the roots to the stems, the seeds and even the flowers.

Many of the greens that you'll see will be herbs, which add the flavour and aroma that Thai food is so justifiably celebrated for. Thais don't simply add chili to everything; there are lots of other flavours.

'Kah root' for the famous Tom Kah Gai

Maybe you've already tried Thailand's most famous soup, tom yam kung, which is a fine example of what I mean. Well okay, maybe it does have a little bit of chili in it.

Beside giving flavour or a pleasant scent to food (or both), herbs can also confer medical benefits. Trouble sleeping? Eating ta-krai (lemon grass) can help. And there's one variety that will keep the mosquitoes away if you rub the juice on your skin. Have a look around the market; someone may be selling it in handy bottles.

Blogged-up doze? Sa-ra-nae (Thai mint), is a big help. Embarrassed to wear dark clothes because of your dandruff? The juice of ma-krood (kaffir lime) helps.

A Note On Money

It's wise to carry small change and some low denomination banknotes when you go to a talad nat. After all, the vendors are not generally related to the Rothschilds or the Vanderbilts, and they won't be carrying lots of cash to make change.

So don't expect to be very popular if you want to buy a 20-baht bunch of bananas and then ask for change for a 1,000-baht note.

And Another Note On Feet

Variety of fresh local fishes

When you're going to the market, put away your Jimmy Choo sandals and wear solid shoes that protect your feet. In some markets, especially after rain, you might even want to wear rubber boots - the ground may be wet and muddy.

If you insist on wearing flip-flops, do be careful where you step. Bashing your toes against a piece of wood or concrete is likely to take all the fun out of shopping.

Take care, and enjoy your bargain lesson in Thai culture!

Where & when

Patong Beach: Na Nai road - Daily
Rawai Beach: Soi Saliga on Wiset road - Wed, Sun
Karon & Kata Beach: Patak road - Mon, Thu
Kamala Beach: Patong-Surin beach road - Mon, Wed, Sat
Phuket City: Soi Samkong on Yaowarat Rd - Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun