The launch of the new Chartered Walking Street market on Phang Nga Rd was confirmed by Phuket City Municipality on Oct 17. However, the announcement went largely unnoticed due to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival taking center stage at that time. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing between the involved parties, which occurred on Oct 19, faced a similar fate.
It wasn’t until the third announcement on Oct 26 that the Chartered Walking Street market garnered attention. Phuket City Municipality officially introduced the new weekly event through a notice posted on Facebook at 9.43am, just minutes before a meeting to discuss the organisational aspects of the market.
On the same day the Phuket City Municipality also shared a link to the Chartered Walking Street’s Facebook page, surprisingly created as early as mid-September, with regular content updates since then.
The inaugural market will debut on the first Sunday of November (Nov 5) on Phang Nga Rd. The event will commence at 4pm and extend into the evening, coinciding with the popular Lard Yai market on Talang Rd which runs just north of Phang Nga Rd..
Like the Lard Yai market, the new Chartered Walking Street market will predominantly feature local street food, craft, and souvenirs. Entertainment will include street music and cultural performances.
As per the map presented at the Oct 26 meeting, a stage will be set up in front of the Sinthavee Phuket Hotel building, known for the mural of a tiger on an adjacent building’s wall.
Stalls offering food, drinks, clothing, souvenirs, and other goods will be arranged on both sides of the stage. The corresponding section of Phang Nga Rd will be temporarily closed to traffic during the event.