All abuzz at Hua Hin’s “Cicada Market”

Hua Hin has maintained an easy breezy atmosphere despite the surge in year-round tourism.

In the past, this family favourite seaside resort, 3-hours’ drive south of Bangkok, used to have little else except for sea, sand and sun. 

In recent years, Hua Hin started to develop more “extra-curricular” places where visitors can go when it rains or if they want to partake in more energetic activities.

There was the opening of “Plearn Wan” - a living old town-like village. Today, one of the favourite outdoor places to visit in the evening is the Cicada Market, which is another popularly reviewed destination on TripAdvisor.

KRA20 writes: “This is one chic weekend market with a great food court and artisan market. There are live shows and drink stalls. Food had typical range of Thai food but atmosphere and ambience is much more gentrified. Cool evening out for all.”

“One of the best to be in Hua Hin. I feel so sad that it only opens in the weekend as I used to have duty on the weekends. I sometimes miss it. The small details there. The atmosphere, teens performances, night shows, shops, etc., everything was really beautiful. I even had myself sketched there. A life-long memory created,” says Pragya from Kathmandu, Nepal.

American reviewer, CES122 from Canton, Mississippi, says that the place is “very, very clean. Be sure to know the location. Hidden behind a wall. 100 stores. Food stalls. Must purchase a food ticket to buy. Very upscale and relaxing 2-hour walk. Some items are luxury. No low-grade items. Music concert the night we visited. Be sure to stop at the pineapple store and buy a small cake and eat as you walk. We ate at the market across the side street. 30 stalls cooking in view. Very good prices.”

Yoyo H from Tel Aviv, Israel, says: “Well it is much more different than other markets I saw in Chiang Mai, Pai and Bangkok. First it is much more relaxed, sellers are not pushing their merchandise in your face, and most stands mark their prices. There are many music shows, breakdance, artist shows, human statues, painters and more. Food is cheap and tasty and organized in the same area with a central seating area. A lot of the artisans I saw there I did not see in other markets in Thailand. More unique and also the fact that most prices are written and not overpriced gives you as a tourist the feeling that no one’s trying to rip you off.”

“Cicada Market is an evening hangout place in Hua Hin with hundreds of shops with different varieties of art & crafts, souvenirs, t-shirts and what not! The best part is unlike most of the night markets in Thailand, each stall in Cicada Market is unique in terms of what they offer. There is also an amphitheater where they usually have shows (Thai shows).  And you will find a lot of food stalls to choose from for a lovely dinner at a reasonable price. A very good place to spend an evening with family and friends. A must visit in Hua Hin,” says Shawkat M from Dhaka City, Bangladesh.