From Naka Market to America’s Got Talent: Nene Royal’s Phuket Golden Buzzer Story

Naka Weekend Market is more than one of Phuket’s best-known places for street food, shopping and live music. It is also part of the story of Nene Royal, the Phuket teenage guitarist and singer who went from local stages to earning Mel B’s Live Show Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent.

For visitors, Naka Market is an energetic weekend stop filled with smoky grills, colourful stalls and the sound of musicians playing after sunset. For Nene, it was part of a much bigger journey: a place to perform, gain confidence and connect with a real audience long before an international television stage knew her name.

A guitar journey that began by chance

Nene Royal, reported locally as Rattikarn “Praew” Amloy, began playing guitar at only seven years old. The beginning was almost accidental: the school club she first wanted was already full, so she joined the available music club instead. What followed was not luck but years of patient practice. She learned from online videos, repeated difficult passages and gradually developed the forceful guitar style and stage presence that audiences now recognize.

This short video captures another exciting moment in Nene’s musical journey.

For an earlier chapter in her story, watch Nene Royal’s previous performance at Naka Market Phuket.

Talent opened the door, but consistency carried her through it. As she grew, Nene performed with local musicians, including Ozone Band, and learned how to hold a crowd rather than simply play a song correctly.

Naka Market: a local stage before the world stage

Naka Market gave Nene something a practice room cannot: the unpredictability of a live audience. Shoppers arrive for dinner, families stop between stalls and travellers may hear only the first few notes before deciding whether to stay. Winning their attention teaches timing, courage and presence.

That is why her connection with the market feels so meaningful. The stage may be modest, yet it belongs to a living community. Visitors sit with food in hand while a local band plays, and young performers learn directly from the response in front of them.

Phuket’s creative life is often found in places like this—not only in formal theatres, but in night markets, school clubs and community stages where a child can slowly become an artist.

Three performances, one unforgettable Golden Buzzer

Nene entered America’s Got Talent at 16. Her audition performance of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” earned four yeses and introduced the judges to a teenage musician with a surprisingly commanding rock voice. In the callbacks she took on Muse’s “Hysteria,” showing that her first appearance was no one-off moment.

Then came the live quarterfinal. Nene performed Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” combining vocals and guitar in a performance that felt darker, bigger and more assured. Before the moment could settle, Mel B pressed her Live Show Golden Buzzer, sending Nene directly to the final.

Watch the official America’s Got Talent quarterfinal video below.

The Golden Buzzer was an exciting television moment, but its deeper meaning comes from everything behind it: the seven-year-old who kept practising, the family who supported her and the local audiences who watched her grow. You can also open the recently shared AGT video on Facebook.

What Nene’s story says about Phuket

Many people imagine Phuket through beaches and resorts. Nene’s journey adds another view: this is also an island of working communities, young creators and small stages with real cultural value. Her story does not make Naka Market famous overnight; rather, it helps visitors notice what was already there.

A market visit can therefore be more than a checklist stop. Listen to the performers. Buy from local vendors. Give a young musician a few minutes of your attention. The person on a small stage today may be preparing for a much larger one tomorrow.

Visiting Naka Weekend Market

Officially called Naka Weekend Market and sometimes known as Phuket Weekend Market, it is located on Wirat Hong Yok Road in Wichit, just outside Phuket Old Town. Admission is free. The main market operates on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; confirm current details on the official Naka Market guide before travelling.

The atmosphere changes quickly as daylight fades. Arrive around 4:30–5:00 p.m. for easier browsing and softer light, then stay into the evening for dinner and live music. By peak dining time, the aisles are livelier and the market feels at its most energetic.

Come hungry

The food section is one of the market’s biggest attractions. Rather than choosing one large meal immediately, share several small portions so you can sample more flavours. Carry cash in smaller notes, ask the price before ordering and look for stalls where food is cooked fresh.

Browse crafts and souvenirs

Beyond food, the market has clothing, accessories, crafts and souvenirs. Take time to compare quality and prices, and prioritise pieces that feel connected to Phuket rather than mass-produced items you could find anywhere.

Getting there and planning the evening

Use the Naka Weekend Market map location rather than relying only on the market name. If you are staying away from Phuket Town, compare the island’s point-to-point transport options and public bus routes. Agree on your return plan before the late-evening rush.

Naka Market also pairs well with an afternoon following our Phuket Old Town walking guide. Explore the historic streets first, then travel to the market for dinner, shopping and music.

A small Phuket stage with a big story

Nene Royal’s Golden Buzzer belongs to her talent and hard work, but Phuket helped shape the road that brought her there. Naka Market represents the early, public part of that road: noisy, informal, local and full of possibility.

When you visit, enjoy the food and shopping—but also pause near the music. Nene’s story is a reminder that the most memorable part of a market may not be something you buy. It may be the person you hear before the rest of the world does.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nene Royal?

Nene Royal is a teenage singer and guitarist from Phuket, Thailand. She developed her skills from childhood, performed on local stages including Naka Market and later competed on America’s Got Talent.

How did Nene Royal receive the Golden Buzzer?

Mel B pressed the Live Show Golden Buzzer after Nene performed Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” in an AGT quarterfinal, sending her directly to the final.

What did Nene Royal perform on America’s Got Talent?

Her reported AGT performances included The Cranberries’ “Zombie” for her audition, Muse’s “Hysteria” during callbacks and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” in the live quarterfinal.

When is Naka Weekend Market open?

The main market is normally open Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Check the official market site for current information before visiting.

Where is Naka Market in Phuket?

It is on Wirat Hong Yok Road in Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, close to Phuket Old Town.

Is Naka Market worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy street food, casual shopping and live local atmosphere. Allow roughly two to three hours and arrive before the busiest evening period if you prefer easier browsing.