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There are two of these and they can be considered the highlight of a shopping trip when visiting Chiang Mai. On weekends, Chiang Mai Walking street markets are organised on both Saturday and Sunday, and though crowded, are worth it to find better handicrafts, artsy items and souvenirs - displaying the full creativity of this city. Lots of items on display are simply 'cute' - there's no other way to describe them - often sold by the makers themselves and are unavailable at the Night Market. Typcially, they begin in the late afternoon and run through until about 23:00.   The Sunday Walking Street runs along the length of Ratchadamnoen Road (through the centre of the old town), all the way to Thapae Gate and includes the forecourt beyond the gate. Often, there are performances here, too. The street is lined with vendors, along with plenty of restaurants in which to take a break. There's also live music in some, and buskers to add to the atmosphere. It's better to come before dusk when it starts to get very crowded, but the shopping experience is far nicer than the Night Bazaar.  

Chiang Mai is rightly famous for its handicrafts industry, which supplies the Night Market and tourist souvenir vendors across Thailand. If you’re planning on buying Thai handicrafts as gifts to take home, or wholesale, then Chiang Mai is certainly the place to do so. Although you can pick these up from the Night Market or Sunday Walking Street, it’s worth spending a morning visiting the sources in Borsang and Baan Tawai.   Handicrafts have been produced in these two satellite towns close to Chiang Mai for generations. Methods of wood carving and use of natural materials, such as saa (mulberry paper), among others, have been developed over hundreds of years by skilled artisans. Lately, a new generation of university educated art students have added their own contemporary styles.   The most satisfying part of buying Thai handicrafts in Chiang Mai is the price. Sometimes it’s difficult to comprehend how these locals earn a living selling such detailed items so cheaply. The standard is variable but they always present good value. For this reason, many expats and Thais have set up export businesses catering to a steady wholesale demand from flea market vendors around the world. Some of the popular products include: Buddhist art and statues, furniture, lamps, interior decor items, paintings, carvings, toys, souvenirs, caskets, rattan work, candles, soap, silverware and jewellery, neilloware, fabric and woven products, ceramics, sandstone murals… the list is endless. But perhaps the quintessential item is the bamboo and rice paper parasol.   Borsang is the Umbrella Village where these dainty and colourful parasols are produced, in the San Khampaeng district, 10kms east of the city. They are a distinctive Thai icon and have made the little village of Borsang famous. These umbrellas are delicately crafted from bamboo or cane and exquisitely decorated with colourful pictures or patterns on glazed rice paper covers. They are one of many fine Thai handicrafts.   The Umbrella Village is little more than a cluster of shop houses along the area where Doi Saket Road meets San Kamphaeng Road. It enjoys a steady stream of tourists daily as they come to witness the making of these fine items and other Thai handicrafts, and to stock up on traditional souvenirs from Northern Thailand.   The pace out here is far more laid-back than Chiang Mai and the prices more agreeable. By approaching the manufacturers directly, you can bypass the haggling Night Market vendors. Along the way, you pass along the road to San Kamphaeng, which is lined with small factories where many of the handicrafts are made.  

on the other hand, is the bigger brother for handicraft production and sales. It is located 20kms south of the city in the Hang Dong district and can be easily reached by following Highway 108 south out of Chiang Mai. You soon notice the many wholesale wood carving shops lining the highway, before turning left on the Sarapee Road (all clearly signposted). This area has grown tremendously in recent years as more tourists come shopping here. This road offers even more choice but the heart of Baan Tawai is the arcade centre where there are scores of shops selling a mind-boggling display of handicrafts. It’s worth a half day of shopping and bargaining With such a rich history and impressive legacy of art and culture, it's not surprising that Thais boast a flourishing trade in antiques. Chiang Mai is especially good for seeking out Thai antiques, because there are many dealers located in the Baan Tawai area and several good dealers in the city itself.Antiques and their faithful reproductions In addition, most of these shops actually make up most of their sales revenue on reproductions, which look like the real thing but are far less valuable, rare or expensive. They do involve some sophisticated and skilled methods, though, and will certainly impress your guests with their aged appearance. Even if you can't afford real antiques, it's worth shopping for the fakes. The Lanna Kingdom, of which Chiang Mai was the capital, stretches back more than 700 years and the evidence of that history can be seen in many antique shops around the city. Much of this is religious art designed to glorify the Lord Buddha, and Thai antiques have become world famous for preserving the early artistic expression of this important religion. There is quite a large range in the quality and authenticity of the antiques on sale and a true dealer will have a very keen eye for genuinely valuable pieces. However, the most important indicator is whether the item comes with a certificate from the fine art department, for there has been a strict control on the export of Thai antiques in recent years. Furthermore, no properly sanctified Buddha image, old or new, can be exported without the correct permission. This includes Buddhas made for specific religious purposeNonetheless, there are plenty of shops displaying a museum-like collection of aged pieces that are more affordable and would certainly look impressive in your living room. This includes sculptures of stone, copper, brass pewter and bronze, as well as pottery and porcelain, glass, furniture, silver, jewellery, farm implements, amulets and more. There are several shops on Thapae Road with a small selection, plus various home décor shops and upmarket hotel souvenir shops with selected pieces. However, the biggest selection in one place is undoubtedly Baan Tawai and a half-day trip here is worth it if you're looking for choice. The prices are up to 50 per cent cheaper than those offered by dealers in Bangkok. Huge collections have been amassed from rural finds, controlled excavations and even smuggled in from Burma and Laos. You can also admire the many handicrafts and carved wooden products found here.