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

Come for the walk alone! On market nights, the promenade along the beach and Bophut's main street is closed to cars and scooters. This allows you to stroll leisurely from one fish stall to the next and finally to a bar, the sand between your toes, without having to dodge traffic. It's quieter and more family-friendly than Chaweng – which is precisely why people keep coming back instead of just visiting once.

Make sure you choose the right evening, as the market isn't open every night. Fridays are Walking Street: the waterfront promenade closes around 5:00 PM, and the stalls begin setting up. Things get busy around 6:00 PM, and the market winds down around 10:00 or 11:00 PM. Wharf Walking Street, at the western end of town, has a smaller market with stalls on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings. The market is closed on Thursdays and Saturdays, and on the other evenings, the waterfront promenade is filled with restaurants and bars. Google Maps incorrectly lists the market as open daily, which explains the confusion.

Food takes center stage: Stalls offer Thai street food and freshly prepared seafood, and there are snack bars and proper restaurants right on the beach if you'd like a table and to enjoy the sunset. Shopping enthusiasts will be in their element: clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry, and souvenirs – great as gifts, but certainly not worth a separate trip. Start at the end of the pedestrian zone and stroll into the main market, where food and live music await. Coco Tam's presents his fire show on the beach at 7:15 pm and 9:00 pm.

On Fridays, the narrow sections of the road get very crowded. From 6:00 PM onwards, when the crowds increase, parking spaces are usually full. The busiest time is between 7:00 and 8:00 PM. Therefore, arrive early or take a taxi. The journey from Chaweng takes about 20 to 25 minutes by taxi or Grab. Bring cash in baht and comfortable shoes suitable for walking long distances.