Chiang Mai shopping

San Khaempeng
At San Khaempeng, see how silk is woven at Thailand's main centre for Thai silk. Lining the road are small factories and showrooms that are full of silk fabric, clothing, textiles and handicrafts.

Baan Tawai
Thai antiques, are located in this area to the south of the city. There is a range in the quality and authenticity of the antiques on sale. The most important indicator is whether the item comes with a certificate from the Fine Arts Department. No Buddha image, old or new, can be exported without the correct permission. This includes Buddhas that were made for specific religious purpose.

Bo Sang
Bo Sang is the area where Doi Saket road meets San Kamphaeng road 10 kms east of the city where hand-painted coloured umbrellas are found along with other gifts. The umbrellas are crafted from bamboo or cane and decorated with colourful pictures or patterns on glazed rice paper covers.

Shopping Malls

Central Airport Plaza: Airport Road, Chiang Mai
Kad Suan Kaew: Huay Kaew Road
Nantawan Arcade: Nimmanhaemin

Where to buy books?

Maybe due to the many backpackers has led to many bookshops in Chiang Mai and some excellent second hand ones with great titles left by visitors.

Backstreet Books: Chiang Mai Kao Road
Bookazine: Changklan Road
Gecko Books: 2/6 Changmoi Kao Road
Hobo Books: Chaiyaphum Road
Shaman Books: Chaiyaphum Road
Suriwong Book Center: 54 Sridornchai Road
The Bookshop: Loi Kroh Road
The Lost Bookshop: Ratchamanka Road
Tokyodo Books: Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Centre

Good things to buy

Lacquerware; Celadon; Silk; Textiles; Wood Carving; Umbrellas; Silverware; Hill tribe crafts and handmade paper products.

Bargaining

All market stalls and many small shops expect you to bargain. Offer a lower price than what you wish to pay. BUT if you enter the process and you settle you must buy the goods, it is not on to bargain away, obtain the lowest price and then leave. Be careful when you offer a low price as often what seems a huge discount is the price you end up agreeing. Try and enjoy the process and be fair to the seller as margins are often very low.

Buddhas

Buddha images must not be exported from Thailand whether old or new without a licence obtained from the Fine Arts Department and Ministry of Commerce. A shop might be able to obtain the licence, otherwise do not buy. The only exception are Buddha images that you can wear around your neck.

Precious stones

Chiang Mai is a good place to buy precious stones but watch out for fakes and scams. A reputable dealer will give a certificate of authority and if in doubt take your stone to the Chiang Mai University of Faculty of Geology for verification if you are worried. Diamonds should not fog up when you breathe on them, not so for quartz or glass, their colour should remain in both indoor and outdoor light. Look for clarity and good cutting of the stone.

Woodcarvings

Traditionally Teak is used but has become expensive and often the retailer will say "teak" when it is not teak.

Silver

Silver is worked into some fine designs in Chiangmai. Most silver is 92.5% but some you see might be softer.

Gold

Gold is available and a good buy. Much of the gold sold is 22 carat compared to European gold which is much harder at 14 or perhaps 18 carat. beware of cheap gold jewellery which is likely to be brass with a gold coating. Exporting gold above a value of 50,000 Baht requires permission.

Silk

Thai silk is one of the finest in the world. Burning silk will test its authecity with silk turning to ash and synthetic fibres melting or curling.

Tailoring

Many tailor shops offer a combination of jackets, trousers and shirts using a range of materials all of which can be chosen from catalogues or form a picture your provide. Most can manage to make a suit in 24`hours but longer is always better to allow for alterations.

Ceramics

The main ceramic is "celadon" often called "green stone" obvious because of it's pale green colour and cracked look.Oher forms of ceramics are made in Chiangmai including Benjarong and Stoneware.

Leather ware

Leather goods including shoes are good buys in Chiangmai. Be careful not to buy goods made from snake skins, crocodile and sting rays which might be illegal to bring back into your country unless you can prove they are farmed.

Sunday "Walking Street"

Craft vendors show their wares on Tha Phae and Ratchadamnern Road every Sunday afternoon in the rainy season.