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

Three days a week, that's all. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed on Saturdays. Just put that in your calendar, and the rest is easy.

This market is for the residents of Ao Nang, not for tourists. Here you'll find fresh seasonal vegetables, tropical fruits, seafood, meat and poultry, as well as stalls selling grilled dishes and hot meals for under 100 baht per person. Clothing and everyday items can be found in the back and on the right side. Reviewers who have compared it to the tourist night market say the prices here are about half as high. That sounds plausible.

Don't expect too much. It's a typical Thai market: small and busy on the days it's open. If you're looking for souvenirs and a show, this isn't the place. But if you want to eat well and cheaply and get a glimpse into the shopping culture of a Thai city, then this is the place for you.