Tamarind Market Hua Hin: Hours, Getting There & Tips
Planning an evening at Tamarind Market in Hua Hin? Check open days, how to get there and back, what to eat, and how it compares with Cicada Market.
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Last updated November 2026. Tamarind Market Hua Hin is a weekend evening night market built around food stalls and a live-music stage, and it sits outside the centre on the road toward Khao Takiab. Listings commonly give Friday to Sunday from 4 pm to 11 pm, so confirm the schedule before you plan around it. Here is how to reach it, what to eat, and when to choose it over Cicada Market.
Featured image: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Tamarind Market Hua Hin at a glance
This is the Hua Hin night market, not a market selling the fruit. Thai listings write the name as ตลาดแทมมาริน. The official tourism directory listing describes it as a popular night market near the beach with a relaxed atmosphere for Thai and foreign visitors. Food and drink stalls dominate, and there is a stage for live music. Souvenir shopping is minimal, so treat it as a dinner stop rather than a shopping trip.
- What it is: an evening food-and-music market
- Usual schedule: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4 pm to 11 pm (confirm locally)
- Location: outside the centre, on the Khao Takiab side of town
- Best for: casual dinners, groups, families and music lovers
- Skip it if: you want souvenirs, a sit-down restaurant or guaranteed seating
Is Tamarind Market open when you're in Hua Hin?
Weekend-only is the biggest trap. A visitor arriving Monday to Thursday will find the market closed, and hours can shift on holidays or by season. Check the current schedule with your hotel front desk on the day, or look at a live map listing before you set off. On other nights, the downtown night market guide covers the alternatives. Plan your Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening around Tamarind and keep weekday evenings for those options.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4 pm to 11 pm is the window, and the 10 pm or 11 pm ride home sits at its far end.
How to get to Tamarind Market (and back)
From central Hua Hin, a songthaew heading toward Khao Takiab is the budget route. Fares of ฿15 have been quoted for that ride, but treat the figure as dated and confirm it with the driver. Tuk-tuks, taxis and ride-hailing cars are the easier option when you carry bags or travel as a group. Agree the price before a tuk-tuk moves. The return trip at 10 pm or 11 pm is the part most visitors forget. Songthaews thin out late, so decide your way home before you sit down to eat. Check a map for your hotel's distance, since walking only suits hotels on the Khao Takiab side.
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Songthaew toward Khao Takiab | Solo travellers and low budgets | Cheapest, but fewer late-night runs; confirm the fare |
| Tuk-tuk | Short hops and small groups | Price varies; agree it before you start |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | Late return and families | Costs more, but most convenient at closing time |
| Hotel shuttle | Guests near Khao Takiab | Ask the front desk whether one runs on market nights |
| Walking | Hotels close to the market | Only if a map confirms a short, lit route |
What to eat and what to expect
Expect dozens of food and drink stalls. Grilled meats, prawns and Thai dishes sit alongside pizza and other Western options. Walk the full loop first, then order from two or three stalls and share. Seating is the pinch point, and finding a table can take patience on busy nights. Bring cash for smaller stalls, since card and QR payment vary by vendor. Entry appears to be free in effect, but confirm on arrival. Want a proper seafood dinner instead? Head to a sit-down seafood meal. Browse sit-down restaurants if you need table service and a guaranteed seat.
How to plan your evening and how long to stay
Arrive near the 4 pm opening for easier seating, lighter crowds and simpler parking or drop-off. Stay on into the evening if live music is your priority, since the atmosphere builds later. Most visitors need about two hours to eat and wander. A good sequence starts with late-afternoon time near the Khao Takiab side, then dinner at the market, then your pre-arranged ride back. If you still have energy on another weekend night, Cicada Market makes a second stop. Verify the walking distance between the two on a map before you rely on it.
Tamarind vs Cicada: which night market should you pick?
Choose Tamarind for a food-first evening with a stage and a relaxed, beach-side feel. Choose Cicada if browsing creative stalls matters more than dinner. Our Cicada Market guide covers its layout in detail. Both are weekend-oriented, so schedule checks apply to each.
| Question | Tamarind Market | Cicada Market |
|---|---|---|
| Main draw | Food, drinks, live music | See our Cicada guide for crafts and stalls |
| Souvenirs | Minimal | Check the Cicada guide |
| Location | Khao Takiab side, outside centre | Check a map; listed as close by |
| Best for | Casual dinner and music | Browsing plus a snack |
Where to stay for an easy night out
Staying in central Hua Hin gives you more restaurants and a transport leg to the market. Staying toward Khao Takiab puts you closer, but you will have fewer walkable alternatives on non-market nights. If you only visit on one weekend evening, central Hua Hin plus a pre-booked ride back usually keeps options open. Choose the Khao Takiab side if the market is the main reason for the trip.
Central Hua Hin stays mean the ฿15 songthaew quote is your cheapest route out, but confirm the fare with the driver.
Mistakes to avoid
A few slips ruin this evening more than anything else.
- Turning up Monday to Thursday, when the market is normally closed
- Leaving the ride home until 11 pm
- Arriving late and finding no free table
- Expecting souvenir stalls
- Carrying only cards when small stalls prefer cash
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Tamarind market in Hua Hin?
It sits outside the centre on the road toward Khao Takiab. Confirm the exact pin on a live map before you leave.
Is the Tamarind Market open today?
It is usually listed as a Friday to Sunday market from 4 pm to 11 pm. On any other day, expect it to be closed, and confirm hours locally.
Which is the best night market in Hua Hin?
Tamarind suits a food-and-music dinner, while Cicada suits browsing. For other nights, see our downtown night market guide.
Useful notes for your Thailand trip
Optional updates to our guides.
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