Chiang Mai Sunday Walking Street Market

Posted by Northerner on July 22nd, 2011 filed in Attractions

On Sundays in Chiang Mai, the old city quarter on the inside of the moat is the venue for one of the city’s most eagerly awaited weekly happenings. Stallholders from all over the north of Thailand start laying out their unique wares on tables and mats in preparation for the influx of visitors for what is known as Sunday Walking Street.

The street does not actually walk away and the name is just a direct translation of the Thai phrase Thanon Kon Durn which means Street Market. Ratchadamnoen Road is the centre of the action and from around 16:00 onwards it is closed to traffic, and shoppers and browsers are able to roam freely without running the risk of being knocked over.

While Thailand has garnered a reputation for being the place to pick up counterfeit designer articles, shoppers will find this is not the case on Walking Street as the myriad products on show here have been created by local artisans.

Items on sale include wood-carvings, herbal soaps, scented candles, trinkets, silver jewellery, bead necklaces, handmade sandals, traditional toys, leather and cloth handbags, colourful lanterns and silk boxer shorts. Booths along the street, and in temple compounds off it, serve up a tantalising array of snacks and beverages.