Chiang Rai night markets may not be as big as the ones in Chiang Mai, but what they lack in size they make up for in organization and in the laid-back character you’d expect from smaller-town bazaars.
So if you’re looking for things to do, great places to eat, and information on Chiang Rai’s nightlife, keep reading.
What to Expect from a Thai Night Market
– Northern Thai food and drinks
– Handcrafted products
– Thai massages
– Clothing
– Thai dancing shows
– Folk concerts
– And a good time
Thai people love night markets, and they do so for a reason: it’s too hot to be shopping during the day. For us foreigners, the night markets are more than a place to shop for souvenirs. They’re communal places to go for entertainment, music, and good food — we’re talking about Thailand after all!
Chiang Rai Saturday Night Market
Open every Saturday from 04:30 PM to 00:30 AM.
Located on Thana Lai Road, right in the city center.
Every Saturday by mid-afternoon, Thana Lai Road closes to traffic and opens up for people to wander through the stalls. After a bit of browsing, you’ll find the quality work of local artisans standing out from the generic bric-a-brac.
However, if you’re not planning on buying anything else due to your luggage being full, there’s an abundance of Thai snacks and desserts to fill your empty stomach.
If you go there to eat, we recommend an early dinner — by 8:00 PM the place will be jammed packed with people and the queues for buying food get quite long. Having said that, this is also the time when the market starts to come alive.
But besides the great food, there are other attractions in Chiang Rai Saturday Night Market. A good visual cue is: if the Chinese lanterns are lit, entertainers and musicians are performing.
Tip: Around here, if you’re a tourist you’ll have to bargain. It’s very likely that sellers doubled the price just for you.