Phaploen Market
Phaploen Market is a popular evening destination on Changklan Road in central Chiang Mai, drawing both locals and visitors with its combination of street food, outdoor dining, and nightly live entertainment. The market comes alive after dark, when cover bands and dance performances take to the stage, creating a relaxed but energetic atmosphere that sets it apart from more conventional shopping markets. Food is the main draw here. Visitors can browse a wide range of stalls offering grilled meats, ribs, corn, mushrooms, coconut drinks, and Thai dishes, with options that cater to vegetarians and vegans as well. Seating is plentiful, with rows of tables spread across the outdoor space beneath strings of twinkling lights, making it a comfortable spot to linger over a meal. Meals with drinks typically run around 200 to 250 baht per person, offering reasonable value for the setting and experience. Good to know: Phaploen Market operates as a night market, so arriving in the evening is essential to experience it at its best. Arriving around sunset and confirming current hours locally before visiting is advisable. The outdoor layout means weather can affect the experience, and the market sits conveniently close to other Chiang Mai attractions along Changklan Road, making it easy to combine with an evening out in the area.
Book tours & tickets in Chiang Mai
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Phaploen Market — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Phaploen Market, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
The Phaploen market was probably my favorite. The area is decorated beautifully with twinkling lights. There are rows of tables and seating that set up casual dining. Plenty of different food and drink stalls. I enjoyed the fresh coconut stall where you can get smoothie or a whole fresh coconut. I would love to try the Khao Soi stall next time! They always have live music which is super fun. The artists are talented and they perform some pretty great setlists. Now for my standard comments. Location is pretty clean and well kept. Some tables can get a little messy but in general, it was easy to find a good spot to settle.
Loved it here! Came here twice for dinner during my stay at Chiang Mai. Many choices of food and drinks. Personally loved the grilled mushroom, grill meat and corn, ribs, coconut milk shake, and Thai beer! Casual dining experience made better with the live performances. Ample of table and seats, airy place. Do remember to clean up your table after eating though.
One of the most enjoying evenings we had in chiang mai! Awesome bad playing luve music, food at somewhat afordable prices (around 200-250 per person including drinks), tables, not too crowded. Love it!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 269 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Chiang Mai
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Chiang Mai
No riding, no tricks: a day of feeding and mud with rescued elephants in the Mae Wang hills.
Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
Tha Phae Gate
Free, open all hours, and best after dark when the brick gate is lit and the square fills up.
Wat Phra That Doi Kham
Free hilltop temple where the crowd is mostly Thai worshippers, and the giant white-and-gold Buddha is visible for miles.
Phaploen Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phaploen Market worth visiting?
Phaploen Market holds a 4.7★ rating from 269 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated markets & shopping in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Phaploen Market?
Phaploen Market is typically open 18:00-00:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Phaploen Market?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Phaploen Market located?
Phaploen Market is at 25, 31 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
25, 31 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, ThailandVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Phaploen Market
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Nearby Places
Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Come for the live band and the seating, not for the food, which is decent and no more.
Night Bazaar Shopping Street
A sprawling evening market on Changklan Road selling Thai handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, and street food.
Kalare Night Bazaar
A lively nightly market on Changklan Road blending street food, shopping, and live cultural performances.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Get there around 7pm, before the crowds land, and browse the whole stretch before you buy anything.
Similar Markets & Shopping Across Thailand
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.
Where to stay near Phaploen Market
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)