Sunday Walking Street Market Chiang Mai

Every Sunday, from 4pm until midnight, one of Chiang Mai’s great weekly events takes place. Walking Street Market starts at Thapae Gate and runs along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road through the heart of the Old City and has become a Chiang Mai institution. The street, which is closed entirely to traffic, is a focal point for local people to meet, browse, socialise, haggle and enjoy. There numbers are considerably swelled by both Thai and foreign visitors to Chiang Mai and the whole area buzzes with the kind of excitement that can only be generated by a large number of people at leisure.

Walking Street Market is also known as the Weekend or Sunday market and is a real showcase of the art and craftsmanship of Northern Thailand. is the best opportunity for buying amazing Thai handicrafts, clothing, shoes, food, handmade soaps, dolls, pillow cases, art work and more - and all at incredibly cheap prices. Here, you'll not only find Thai crafts and products you won't see anywhere else, it's also located in an area full of coffee shops, sidewalk cafes, bars, restaurants, beautiful Thai temples and more food stalls than you've ever seen.

The goods available are made from an incredible array of materials including: wood, metals, ceramics, fabrics, paper, coconuts and much more besides. The products are truly authentic and original and are the perfect place to find gifts or beautiful things to decorate your home. If you are purchasing, don’t forget to bargain. Any item that is not marked with a fixed price is open for negotiation and is all part of the fun. The stall holders, many of whom have other jobs and only trade at the market, love banter and as long as you smile and barter in a good natured way you will have a great experience.

Food and drink is also available in glorious abundance at the Sunday Market. There are a number of temples along Rachadamnoen Road and their grounds are open to vendors, many of whom sells fabulous local treats fresh cooked before your eyes.

The Sunday Market is the best place in Chiang Mai to see genuine Thai style street entertainment. Right along the length of the Ratchadamoen Road are pavement artists of all descriptions, traditional musicians, Thai dancers, living statues, puppet shows and rock bands. This all adds to the festive nature of the market and makes it an unmissable event.

Chiang Mai's Sunday Walking Street Market is located in Old Town. On Sundays around 4pm, the city closes off the entire street , plus other streets off the main road. Then stall keepers start to set up their wares. you'll see stalls selling photograph frames, hill tribe pillowcases and bed spreads, handmade jewelry, slippers, bags, Thai silk shawls and scarves - pretty much anything you can think of. At the Sunday Walking Street Market, you will also see Thai products you have never seen anywhere else as many of the products are OTOP (One Tambon, One Product) items that are only available in northern Thailand. Unlike other markets, everything is also at 'Thai prices', which means you'll get a similar or the same price as a Thai person for most products. At other markets, if you're a tourist, you will never get Thai price, even if you're with a Thai.