Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Come here to shop like a local, not for souvenirs. Talat Roi Sao, the Market of 100 Pillars, gets its name from the rows of columns that support its covered structure. Beneath it, you'll find fresh seafood from the Gulf, fruits and vegetables, dry goods, street food, and household items that no one else seems to photograph. The prices are local, which will be a welcome change after a few days on Koh Samet.

Arrive early. Seafood and vegetables are best in the morning, and by the afternoon you'll be making do with leftovers. If you're taking the ferry to Samet, this is a sensible last stop for snacks and provisions before buying overpriced bags of chips on the island. Anyone expecting an atmospheric night market with fairy lights and craft stalls will be disappointed—and rightly so. This is a food market that just happens to be located near a tourist route.