ตลาดกลางคืน
dtà-làat glaang kʉʉn
In Thai, the phrase for "night market" is ตลาดกลางคืน (dtà-làat glaang kʉʉn).
The term refers to a market that only operates at night.
Meaning: a market that only operates at night (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ตลาดกลางคืน is composed of ตลาด (market), กลาง (middle/center) and คืน (night).
Which one should you use?
While ตลาดกลางคืน is the general term for a night market, you can also use ตลาดนัดกลางคืน. This version adds the word นัด (appointment/scheduled) and is often used to describe a temporary or periodic night market.
How do you pronounce it?
dtà-làat glaang kʉʉn
Did you know?
- Thai night markets often feature 'floating' elements or are located near canals, blending the concept of ตลาดกลางคืน with the traditional ตลาดน้ำ or 'floating market'.
- The word กลาง in ตลาดกลางคืน means 'middle', reflecting how Thai language often describes the 'middle of the night' to refer to the general nighttime period.
- Because the term ตลาดกลางคืน is so generic, locals often identify markets by the specific type of food they are famous for, effectively renaming the market after a dish.
Examples in context
- คุณรู้จักตลาดกลางคืนใกล้ๆนี่ไหม?Do you know a night market nearby?
- ฉันชอบไปเดินตลาดกลางคืน.chan chop pai doen talat klang khuen.I like walking around the night market.
- ตลาดกลางคืนแถวนี้ของกินเยอะมาก.talat klang khuen thaeo ni khong kin yoe mak.There is a lot of food at this night market.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning their evening activity.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitคืนนี้เราไปตลาดกลางคืนกันไหมkhuen ni rao pai talat klang khuen kan maiShall we go to the night market tonight?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanไปค่ะ กนกวรรณอยากกินขนมpai kha kanokwan yak kin khanomYes, I want to eat some snacks.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitงั้นเดี๋ยวผมขับรถไปรับนะngan diao phom khap rot pai rap naThen I will drive to pick you up.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะ ชลสิทธิ์khop khun kha chonsitThank you, Chonsit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “night market” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
