Chiang Mai Shopping Guide, Shopping in Chiang Mai Thailand

Woodcarving is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous temples. This tradition has been passed on for generations so it can be preserved in different ways. Furniture carving is considered one way of preservation. Teak, rosewood and rattan are being crafted both in traditional and modern designs. Woodcarving products range from gracing screens, chairs, tables, beds, to carved elephants, figurines and tableware. You can easily find them in shops located in San Kamphaeng and Ban Tawai (apparently Thailand’s woodcarving capital).

Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated in 24 carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.

Exotic, traditional and unique, products are sold by hill tribe people dressed in traditional costumes. It is not possible to resist buying one of the hand-made silver ornaments, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, hairpins, pipes, and embroidered items that are available. In addition, there are tunics, jackets, bags, purses, caps and dress lengths, colorful embroidery, hand-woven textiles and other handicrafts made of bamboo and other natural materials to be chosen from.

Products are interestingly made by decorating wooden, bamboo, metal, paper and baked clay items with layers of black lacquer and then finishing with golden designs. The classic texture has made them a perfect gift, souvenir or ornament for visitors. Factories and shops can be found along San Kamphaeng and Chang Khlan Roads.

Nam Phrik Ong

Chile paste made from minced pork and tomatoes. Normally it is eaten with soft-boiled vegetables, crispy pork rinds (Khaep Mu) or deep-fried crunchy rice cakes. It can also be served with plain white rice as a meat dish.

Nam Phrik Num

This green chili paste is very common cuisine for the locals. The chili paste is usually accompanied by boiled locally grown vegetables. The best condiment for the dish is Khaep Mu. Sai ua is normally eaten with Nam Phrik Num.

Sai Ua - A local Chiang Mai sausage that is very aromatic and spicy and usually is eaten with steamed glutinous rice.

Kaeng (curry) - A special feature of the northern-style curry is that it is coconut-free.

Kaeng Hang-Le - Northern—style pork curry.

Kaeng Om – spicy curry of entrails.

Kaeng Khae – spicy curry of vegetables.

Khanom Chin Nam Ngiao is a very traditional noodle dish of the North. It is Thai rice vermicelli with spiced chicken curry accompanied with vegetables.

Khao Soi is also a well known, not to be missed local dish. You can choose from chicken/ pork /beef in curry soup with noodles. It is different from other Kaeng dishes in that Khao Soi is a noodle dish mixed with meat and coconut cream and garnished with garlic and crunchy noodles. It has a sweet, but spicy taste.

If you are under time constraints, the Khantok Dinner is one way to sample most of the Northern dishes all at once.

Celadon, the unique Thai ceramic in soft green and blue tones, is produced locally in many forms. They include dinner sets, vases, tea sets, burners, lamp bases and other decorative home items. Recommended places to visit are Hang Dong sub-district where a large number of factories are located. For art lovers, a visit to Nimmanhemin Road is worth it, as there are many interesting art galleries offering intriguing celadon products.

Chiang Mai is also famous for its Sa paper products – a handmade, multi-purpose natural fiber. Sa products that come in different, distinctive designs include cards, notebooks, stationery, boxes, bags, photo frames, lanterns, gift wrapping paper, etc.

First-class Chiang Mai silk, cotton and other hand-woven fabrics (hill tribe products) are famous for its uniqueness and classic quality that shines over time. The largest possible selection is available in San Kamphaneg.

Visitors can stroll along Wua Lai Road to discover exquisite silverware made with traditional skills, which have been passed on from generation to generation. A guaranteed content of at least 92.5 % pure silver is a mark of their quality. Recommended items include investiture bowls, receptacles and decorative items.

Located on San Kamphaeng Road, Bor Sang is dubbed as the umbrella village. It is the place where villagers have been engaged in umbrella making based on their local wisdom for over 200 years. All materials, including silk, bamboo, sa paper (mulberry paper), are found locally.

Be amazed at hundreds of hand-painted umbrellas in different designs and sizes, from miniature ones to the super big. Apart from the umbrella, fans and other handmade products of Sa paper are also available in both classic and modern designs.

Thailand Destination Guide

		:: North
		Mae Hong Son Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Phayao Lampang Lamphun Phrae Nan Tak Sukhothai Uttaradit Phitsanulok Kamphaeng Phet Phichit Phetchabun Uthai Thani Nakhon Sawan

		:: North East
		Loei Chaiyaphum Nong Bua Lamphu Khon Kaen Udon Thani Nong Khai Sakon Nakhon Nakhon Phanom Kalasin Mukdahan Nakhonratchasima (Khorat) Maha Sarakham Roi Et Yasothon Amnart Charoen Buriram Surin Si Sa Ket Ubon Ratchathani

		:: East
		Chon Buri (Pattaya) Rayong Chanthaburi Trat

		:: Central
		Chainat Kanchanaburi Suphan Buri Sing Buri Ang Thong Lop Buri Saraburi Ayutthaya Ratchaburi Nakhon Pathom Nonthaburi Pathum Thani Bangkok Samut Songkhram Samut Sakhon Samut Prakan Nakhon Nayok Chachoengsao Prachin Buri Sa Kaeo Phetchaburi (Hua Hin - Cha-Am) Prachuapkhirikhan

		:: South
		Chumphon Ranong Surat Thani (Samui) Phang-Nga Krabi Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat Trang Phatthalung Satun Songkhla Pattani Yala Narathiwat