Chiang Mai’s air-conditioned shopping mecca

Posted by Northerner on November 11th, 2011 filed in shopping

For shoppers Chiang Mai is better known for its opportunities to buy unique souvenirs, handicrafts and silk articles than for its contemporary shopping centres. The two biggest malls in the northern Thai city are Central Airport Plaza and Kad Suan Keaw. The Airport Plaza was recently given a facelift and now seems the more modern, spacious and better lit of the two. As its name implies it is located close to Chiang Mai’s international airport.

The Airport Plaza offers shoppers countless outlets which include a branch of Central Department Store, and outlets of international retailers that include Watson’s pharmacy, Esprit, the Body Shop and Lacoste. The designer clothes, footwear and accessories offered in the latter are considerably cheaper than similar products offered at Lacoste shops in the UK.

The Airport Plaza’s offerings are not just limited to shopping as it houses diverse dining establishments as well as the finest cinema in Chiang Mai. Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Baskin Robbins and Black Canyon are all represented here. There are several food court areas. My personal favourite dining venue is the Khao Soi curry noodle stall in the basement court at the north end of the shopping centre.