Night Market · Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Chiang Rai's largest and most famous night market, along Phahon Yothin Road near the Golden Clock Tower and the Old City gate — handicrafts, souvenirs, Northern Thai food and nightly culture.
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Plan your evening
Stalls open from about 6 PM. Arriving near dusk lets you watch the bazaar light up and beats the late-night crowds.
Open nightly 18:00 – 23:00
Get to know
What is the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar?
The Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is the city's best-known evening market, on Phahon Yothin Road close to the Golden Clock Tower and the Old City gate.
After dark the street fills with stalls selling handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, souvenirs and hill-tribe goods from the Akha, Karen, Lisu, Lahu and Hmong communities. There are also restaurants, Thai massage and street performances.
It is also a great starting point for nearby sights such as Wat Phra Kaew, the King Mengrai Monument and the Mae Kok River, making the market both a shopping spot and the heart of Chiang Rai's night culture.
“Come after dark — that's when the whole street lights up with stalls, food smoke and music.”
Arrive around 18:00–19:00 when it's cooler and the stalls are just lighting up, then settle in for dinner at the food court.
How to get there →History & lore
The story of Chiang Rai's night market
The market grew alongside Chiang Rai's rise as a tourist base in the 1990s, when travellers began using the city as a stopover for the Golden Triangle — yet the area's historical and Lanna cultural roots run far deeper.
Lanna heritage
Chiang Rai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and a long-standing caravan crossroads, so handicrafts, textiles, silver and hill-tribe goods have accumulated here for generations — the very soul of this night market.
The Golden Clock Tower
At the market's heart stands the Golden Art Clock Tower (Chiang Rai Clock Tower), designed and built in 2008 by Chalermchai Kositpipat — the artist behind Chiang Rai's famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). Its golden crown glows as the city's favourite meeting point and a symbol of modern Chiang Rai. It is often wrongly attributed to Thawan Duchanee, creator of the Black House Museum (Baandam Museum) — that artist is unrelated to this clock tower.
A night-time cultural hub
Today the market blends commerce, food and performance, expressing a modern Chiang Rai identity that still keeps its Lanna cultural roots.
Nearby historical landmarks
A short walk away is Wat Phra Kaew, the original home of the Emerald Buddha — Thailand's most revered image — alongside the King Mengrai Monument and the Mae Kok River, all anchoring the area's deep history.
Local legend
The striking Golden Clock Tower at the heart of the market was designed in 2008 by Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist behind Chiang Rai's White Temple. Locals say its golden crown honours the glory of old Lanna, and it has become the meeting point everyone trusts.
Did you know?
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar opens daily beside the Old Bus Terminal; if you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you can also stroll the city's separate weekend walking streets — the Saturday Walking Street (Thanalai Road) and the Sunday Walking Street. These are different locations and run by different organisers from the night bazaar, so don't confuse them.
This page is produced by volunteers as a non-profit educational guide. Historical and coordinate data are referenced from the sources listed in the 'Reference sources' section below and may be updated for accuracy.
Visitor guide
How to visit the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
Entry is free and wandering is easy. Here's what helps you get the most out of your visit.
⚠️ Heads up
Cheap 'designer' goods are usually fakes — bargain to about half the asking price. For food, check the price on the sign before ordering.
Opening hours
18:00 – 23:00 (nightly)
- Stalls open18:00
- Busiest20:00 – 22:00
- Closes23:00
Costs
- EntryFree — no ticket needed
- SouvenirsFrom a few baht; bargaining expected
- FoodAround 50–150 THB per dish
Getting there
- Right by the Old Bus TerminalThe market sits beside Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1 (Old Bus Terminal) — backpackers step off and you're there
- From the airportMae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) is about 8–10 km from the city. An airport taxi or Grab takes around 20–30 minutes and costs 200–300 THB; you can also take the airport shuttle into town and switch to a red songthaew.
- In townWalk from the Old City gate or Clock Tower in 10–15 minutes
- Tuk-tuk / songthaewRed songthaews loop the city for 20–40 THB
- GrabEasy to book via the app with clear pricing
Must-try eats
Food at the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
The market mixes restaurants, a food court and roadside stalls, covering Northern Thai and street food in one place.
Curry-noodle soup, a Northern Thailand classic
Northern herb sausage with chili dip
Chiang Rai's most iconic local noodle soup — a red broth of dried cotton-tree flower and pork blood, sour and aromatic
The signature scene of the food court — slow-cooked in a clay pot; many visitors come just to eat hotpot while watching the show
Tender skewers with peanut sauce
A crowd-favourite sweet of ripe mango and warm sticky rice
“Shop till you're hungry, then grab a roadside plate — the smell of khao soi is the signal you've arrived in Chiang Rai.”
Cultural shows
Free shows at the night market
What sets Chiang Rai Night Bazaar apart from many others is its free traditional performances every night — the part locals are most proud of.
Cultural Stage
Deep inside the market, free Lanna traditional dance and classical music — the most ceremonial performance space.
Food Court Stage
Accompanied by folk singing or contemporary acts; eat while you watch in a relaxed, lively atmosphere.
10-minute walking loop
Worth a stroll nearby
All within walking distance of the market, these two landmarks fit perfectly into an evening route.
Clock Tower light show
Lights up at 19:00 / 20:00 / 21:00 nightly, about a 10-minute walk — the best photo spot before or after the market.
King Mengrai Monument
Honouring King Mengrai, founder of Chiang Rai, about a 10-minute walk — a local landmark that explains the city's origins.
Culture & payment tips
A few reminders before you go
A few practical tips to make the experience smoother and more respectful of locals.
Cash first
Most stalls are cash-only (Thai baht); the food court also usually asks you to order and pay first — carry small change.
Order at the food court first
At the food court you usually order and pay at the stall before sitting down — watch each stall's pickup flow.
Bargain politely
Respect hill-tribe craft makers; keep bargaining friendly — admire first, then negotiate.
In pictures
The Chiang Rai Night Bazaar in photos
A look at the bazaar after dark — the stalls, the food and the street lights.
All images show the real atmosphere of the Chiang Rai night market.
Images are for illustration only and are not owned by this site.
From visitors
Chiang Rai Night Bazaar reviews
A summary of what real visitors say on Google Reviews.
Reviews shown are summarised for illustration, not verbatim posts.
Lovely atmosphere, could walk for hours, so many souvenirs.
Great variety of food; the sai ua and khao soi were my favourites.
Bargain hard — some stalls quote high at first.
Quite crowded on Sat–Sun but still enjoyable.
Easy to reach, right by the Golden Clock Tower.
Beautiful keepsakes, especially the woodcarvings.
Arriving at 18:00 was just right, not too hot.
Affordable food, tried many things.
Visitor guide
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions visitors ask most often.
Which days is it open? +
Every day, including public holidays.
What's the best time to visit? +
Arrive around 18:00–19:00 when it's cooler and the stalls are lighting up; 20:00–22:00 is the liveliest.
How should I handle money? +
Carry small cash and a power bank; some stalls are cash-only.
How do I get there? +
Walk from the Old City gate or Clock Tower in 10–15 minutes; red songthaews and Grab are handy too.
Is there an entry fee? +
No — entry is free, perfect for a relaxed stroll.
Is it family-friendly? +
Very — there's varied food and it's safe to stroll with kids.
Map & directions
How to get to the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
The market sits in central Chiang Rai and is easy to reach by public transport or on foot.
📍 WR4M+5M2, Tambon Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000
📞 —
🧭 WR4M+5M2 · Chiang Rai
🌐 19.91°N, 99.83°E