One of the business cards of the region is that they are definitely worth your visit. From spontaneous designer markets to traditional markets: every weekend the city comes alive with more stalls, street food and souvenirs. Whether you’re looking for stylish handmade clothes, organic vegetables, or vintage records, there’s definitely a market for you in northern Thailand.
Sunday Walking Street Night Market
Every Sunday evening, Ratchadamnoen Street in the Old Town turns into a chaotic and colorful maze of stalls, food vendors, musicians, street performers and talented artists. For visitors, this is literally a real assortment from the life of the locals: there are handmade products, souvenirs, and pancakes with coconut, after which you can seriously wonder: why does a person have only one stomach?
Arrive early (at 16.00-17.00) and start moving from the Thapae gate before the crowd of visitors has time to fill the market and you have not lost sight of the vendor of fiery-spicy grilled squid.
Life hack: if you like a product, it’s better not to delay the purchase. You might be able to find something similar cheaper, but you’re unlikely to be able to turn back in the one-way flow of tourists.
Every Sunday on Ratchadamnoen Street, from 16.00 to 22.00
Wua Lai Walking Street
This market occupies the entire street, and any local will be happy to show you the way. Located along the former silversmiths’ quarter, south along Vua Lai Street, this market will make a less fussy impression and will delight with a wide selection of authentic goods. There are souvenirs, street food, silver jewelry, handmade soap, clothes made of indigo fabric and much more. During the high season, it can also be crowded, but the atmosphere remains calm enough to not only review the assortment, but also enjoy the local delicacy — fried pork skewers.
Life hack: sellers’ counters partially hide the shops located behind them from your eyes. They remain open, and in them you can find locally made silverware, as well as ceramics.
Every Saturday on Vua Lai Street, 16.00-22.00
Warorot Market
First opened about 700 years ago, Warorot Market (also known as Kad Luang) is Chiang Mai’s oldest market quarter. It stretches in all directions from the banks of the Ping River, to the east of the city, and this is one of those places where the so-called “aunties” (old-school saleswomen) reign. Most of the city is supplied with local goods, so you can find everything from fresh meat to dried squid, from hair clips to funeral wreaths. The market is located next to Chinatown, and it’s easy to get lost in the maze of streets filled with fabrics, hand embroidery, Thai cooking utensils and aromatic snacks.
Life hack: the sooner you arrive at the market, the wider the range will be: many sellers do just that, and then go home immediately after everything is sold out.
Open daily on Chiang Mai Road and Vichayanon Road, 6.00-18.00
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Like most night markets in Thailand, it has long been a classic tourist attraction. The market is spread over several blocks by the Ping River, east of the Old Town. It’s a veritable kaleidoscope of knickknacks, tailor shops, electronics and toy stores, as well as a considerable number of sellers offering replicas of luxury brand clothing and accessories. If this choice is not exactly to your taste, you should turn into one of the alleys to find antiques and unusual decorative items. The Kalare and Anusarn food courts offer a wide selection of salads, papayas, and grilled meats — all combined with boxing matches and live music.
Life hack: Most sellers slightly overestimate prices, hoping for a reasonable bargain. A smile will definitely help you in this matter!
Daily on Chang Khlan Road, from 17.00 to 23.00
Jing Jai Market
A calmer and more relaxed “relative” of noisy markets. Tourists in straw hats and shopping bags are leisurely enjoying coffee from vans.… The market places an impressive emphasis on local and organic products. The atmosphere here is very soulful, really unique and special things are sold under the spreading trees, which are complemented by live acoustic music. In the very center of the market there is a Tops Green store specializing in fresh produce. The market is open all day: have time to have breakfast before the crowds of influencers arrive, or come here late at night with a can of beer to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Life hack: Every first Friday of the month, the market turns into a vintage flea market where you can find stylish clothes and try them on for trendy DJ sets.
Every weekend and the first Friday of the month on Atsadathon Road, from 8:00 to 20:00 on weekends, from 17:00 to 21:00 – during the vintage market
Bamboo Family Market
A distinctive, but definitely noteworthy market. Located near the Sankampeng roundabout, the market operates primarily for charitable purposes — it aims to provide jobs for refugees and ethnic minorities. It adheres to the principles of zero waste: it is an ideal place for those who love Burmese cuisine and the work of local artisans. In its central part there is a stage where acoustic performances are performed in Thai, Burmese and Lao.
Life hack: there is a rejection of plastic in the market — even free water is served in glass cups that you can take with you and carry while walking around the market.
Every weekend on Highway Road, San Kamphaeng, from 9.00 to 16.00
Kad Na Mor Market
The night Market at Chiang Mai University is a place where you can look into the atmosphere of student life and find out what young people breathe after classes. As soon as the bell announces the end of lectures, crowds of students flock to Kad Na Mor Market, rushing to taste fragrant street food and choose stylish but inexpensive clothes and accessories. Here you will find everything you could have dreamed of at the age of 18: from oversized T-shirts to Korean cosmetics.
Life hack: it’s better to come here hungry — food prices are very affordable due to the university atmosphere. Queues of students are a sure sign that this kiosk is definitely selling something delicious.
Every evening on Huai Kai Road, opposite Chiang Mai University, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
White Market
A place where Japanese minimalism meets the charm of Lanna: just one row of stalls where you can find the best handmade products, ceramics, clothes and fine jewelry created by the local creative community. It is not so much the ability to bargain that is valued here, as the opportunity to find a truly unique thing.
Life Hack: creative people are not famous for early risers, so you should not come to the opening itself: most of the counters will still be closed. While in the evening, when the sun sets, the local atmosphere perfectly harmonizes with a glass of wine in one of the local establishments.
Friday-Sunday, Nimmanhemin Street, from 15.00 to 21.00
Baan Kang Wat
Half a market, half a community of artists— this place originated as a space where craft students could try out master class formats and sell their products. Ten years later, the market has become a bizarre maze of tall wooden buildings that look more like Diagon Alley from Harry Potter than an ordinary Thai market. There are various studios, an artist community store, and regular workshops that are fun and informative. There is an amphitheater for events in the center, and on Sundays in the morning you can find organic products, fresh pastries and even more creations of local handmade lovers.
Life hack: stock up on free time — a walk through the Baan Kang Wat market will take about an hour or even more, especially if you come across some interesting workshops or activities.
Tuesday-Sunday, Soi Wat Umong, Suthep, 11.00-18.00, Sundays – 8.00-13.00
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