ASIA | THAILAND | SHOPPING

Where to shop in Chiang Mai, Thailand

By Susan Spano
02:50 PM PST, March 09, 2007

Markets:

The Night Market, just east of the moat, starts up around 7 p.m. and keeps going until 11 or midnight.

Anusarn market, immediately south of the Night Market, is strong on clothing and fabrics.

Warawot Market, near the footbridge over the Ping River, has astonishing foodstuffs and flowers.

Ratchmankha, a touristy market on Sundays in the old town of Chiang Mai, along with street-side foot massage concessions, buskers and fast-food stands.

Folk craft villages:

To the west of the city are Bo Sang umbrella village, Ban Ton Pao mulberry paper village and San Kamphaeng known for weaving.

To the south are the Hang Dong antiques market and Pasang, where weavers specialize in cotton fabrics.

Design hubs:

Several of the city's best art, antiques and design shops are clustered at the eastern end of Tha Phae Road, including Living Space, which features lacquer; Siam Celadon; and Lost Horizons, a Southeast Asian tribal arts specialist.

Another upscale design hub is Charoenrat Road, where home-décor stores such as Sop Moei Arts, Vila Cini and Oriental Style display their wares in historic Chinese shop houses.

TreeHouse, 152 Charoenrat Road, has salvaged architectural details from old Thai houses. Nimmanhaemin Road on the northwest side of the city has galleries and design shops, such as the very contemporary Wit's Collection and eclectic Suriyan Chandra, which features the work of artist Anan Saithong.

Galleries:

Studio Naenna, 138/8 Soi Changkhian Huaykeow Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-226-042, www.studio-naenna.com . The gallery is in the northwestern outskirts of the city and isn't easy to find, but it's worth the trip because it is both a weaving museum and a showcase for unique handmade textiles.

Mengrai Kilns, 79/2 Arak Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 011-66-53-272-063. This is a ceramics emporium with reasonable prices and a staggering collection.