Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Come for the food square, not the shopping. Yes, there are stalls selling clothing, jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs, and yes, you should haggle on all of it. But what keeps people here for two hours is the eating: fried insects, tom yum, grilled meats, hotpot-and-grill sets with chicken, beef and piles of fresh vegetables. Prices sit a few baht above what you'd pay at a neighbourhood stall down some back lane, which is the trade-off for having everything in one place.
The central seating area has a stage with live music and dancing running through the evening, and it fills up. Reviewers who enjoyed the whole thing still mention waiting a long time at the bar. My advice is to turn up around six when the doors open, claim a table with a decent view of the stage, order food first and drinks whenever you next get someone's attention. It's touristy now. It's also cheap, easy and genuinely good fun, and one evening here rarely feels like enough.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, round out your day in Chiang Rai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
The Chiang Rai Night Market is a local institution: a large, daily market that, while it has become quite touristy in recent years, remains one of the best places in town for an inexpensive, satisfying meal. You’ll find almost everything here, from fried insects and spicy tom yum to grilled meat dishes and classic Thai comfort food. Because of its popularity, prices are a few baht higher than at very local neighbourhood spots, but that’s easy to live with given the sheer variety of food gathered in one place. It’s a convenient, lively option and still very good value overall.
Loved visiting the night bazaar. Lots of different stalls selling authentic items. More food stalls than you could ever wish for and entertainment on the stage all evening too. The bar area was very busy and we found getting a drink quite difficult and timely. Plenty of tables for people to sit and eat at and overall quite enjoyable albeit very busy throughout the time we were there.
Great ambience, large night market offering very many bargains. There’s live music and intermittent performances in the food square with comfortable seating, various restaurants and great attentive service.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 15,299 reviews on Google.
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Wat Rong Khun
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Stand where three countries meet on the Mekong, then decide if the 1.5-hour drive was worth it.
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Chiang Rai Night Bazaar: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Rai Night Bazaar worth visiting?
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar holds a 4.2★ rating from 15,299 Google reviews — a strong rating for markets & shopping in Chiang Rai.
What are the opening hours of Chiang Rai Night Bazaar?
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is typically open 18:00-23:00 — 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 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar?
The best months to visit Chiang Rai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Chiang Rai Night Bazaar located?
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is at WR4M+5M2, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand, in Chiang Rai. Getting around Chiang Rai: Grab (available in city centre); Songthaews.
Location Info
WR4M+5M2, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, ThailandVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – September
Avg. temperature
14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). The bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. There's also a scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.
Getting around
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Songthaews
- •Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
- •Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)
Where to stay near Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
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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
Sirikorn Market
A central daily market in Chiang Rai known for fresh flowers, local produce, and prepared foods.
Sirikorn Fruit and Vegetable Market
A working neighbourhood market for fruit and flowers, not a tourist stop, and that's exactly the point.
Chiang Rai Walking Street
Saturday nights only, a long street of food and stalls that takes over an hour to walk both sides.
Saturday Walking Market
A weekly evening street market in Chiang Rai offering local goods, food, and a relaxed night atmosphere.
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 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Find hotels in Chiang Rai 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 – September
Avg. temperature
14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). The bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. There's also a scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.
Getting around
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Songthaews
- •Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
- •Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)