Introduction and contents from the
Chiang Mai's Shopping Secrets guidebook:

The idea for this book was conceived in a government/private sector meeting sponsored by the Kenan Institute of Asia and J.E.Austin Associates together with Chiang Mai University,local government and public sector tourism associations, promoting competitiveness through cluster development.

One of the speakers suggested that if we could increase the average length of tourist stay from 3 to 4 days, tourism revenues could be increased by some 33%.

This without the need to increase tourist numbers, available rooms, or additional flights into the north.

As a tourist industry member, we decided to investigate the possibilities - and quickly determined that the attraction with the most potential for development was 'shopping'.

We found that the other tour operators were promoting areas like Ban Sankamphaeng, and the government was promoting Ban Tawai, the night bazaar and the walking streets. The fast growing boutique shops and small artist owned workshop/factory outlets specializing in contemporary arts and crafts, were however barely being promoted at all.

Hundreds of new small businesses, established in clusters around the city, were thriving on custom provided by affluent, fashion conscious Thais and expatriates from Bangkok, as well as from savvy international buyers. These businesses kept pricing low by shunning the commissions system, and as a result of were being left outside the promotional loop.

Located as it is at the hub of greater Mekong sub-region, Chiang Mai boasts a wide range of arts and craft product from the north of Thailand, as well as from the surrounding countries of Burma, Laos, China, and Cambodia.

It is in the boutique shops, and artist workshop/factories that the most interesting products can be found.

Of the 5'000 businesses surveyed, less than 300 had advertised in tourist magazines. The main reason given was that their advertising would reach the potential buyers too late after they arrived in Chiang Mai on a set itinerary, rather than before they got here, and before they had made their holiday choice.

The international exposure given to the Chiang Mai shopping attraction was limited to a general mention or specific recommendation in guide books, or to the occasional detailed photo-feature on a given product in an airline magazine.

Simply put, there was nothing published that actually 'educated' the potential buyer on, or adequately promoted the product available, be it silk, celadon, Buddhist art, silver, pottery, fashion accessories or something else.

Without a directory complete with detailed location maps of the city, visitors could not really shop independently.

'Shopping Secrets' was designed, not as a guide book that promotes one outlet over another by giving it 'trendy' status, but as a combination of an industry directory for the trade, and a treasure map for bargain hunters, where the gold is carefully described, but the real thrill of bargain hunting remains. We encourage you to add 'an extra day to your holiday', and use it to seek out and unearth the treasures.

If you purchase this book you are given complimentary and exclusive membership to INSIDE TRACKS, an online shopping support system for those in need of retail therapy.

You may access back issues of 'shopping secrets', post your comments on the shops you visited, the purchases you made, good or bad, and gain access to the websites of the vendors who advertise with us.

You may also access, and buy from, a constantly updated online catalogue of new and interesting products aimed primarily at the industry buyers.

Introduction

There was a desperate need for this book to be written. For too long the average tourist visitor has, primarily through lack of promotion, lacked real access to all but the most well established shopping areas of the city. As a result, the small craftsmen, new designers and boutique owners, scattered in enclaves around the city have lacked promotion, or a channel through which to promote their collective existence. This book resolves that problem.

How to use this book

Chiang Mai's Shopping Secrets is far more than a guide book or street directory. It is perhaps better described as part 'operations manual' and part 'yellow pages'. In essence, it provides the reader with a thorough grounding on the products available, the means to locate the vendors (without unwanted assistance!), advice on how to determine quality, and the confidence to make the purchase.

Shopping in Chiang Mai

Our aim is to provide you with an overview of the city's wide range of shopping outlets. From craft markets to the night bazaar, from Chiang Mai's new phenomenon of the walking street, to the air-conditioned shopping centres - selling similar products to those commonly found in the West, but at half the price!

Muang Kung Unearthed

Each edition of Chiang Mai's Shopping Secrets will reveal the source of one of the arts and crafts industry's best kept secrets. In this edition, it's Muang Kung. One of the oldest pottery villages in the North, locals are up long before dawn, seated at their potter's wheels, stoking their kilns, inventing new techniques & adding foreign influences to the otherwise simple process of pot making.

Chiang Mai Festivals

Without doubt, Northern Thailand's greatest attraction is its people. Each of the numerous festivals held over the year are spectacles not to be missed. They provide the perfect platform for cultural interchange between the visitor and the local people. Time your visit to coincide with one of these festivals and you will see just why the Northern folk are said to be the most welcoming of all the Kingdom's citizens.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006

In honor of His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 promises to be one of the most important events in the world's horticultural calendar. If you're an avid gardener or a lover of flowers and botanicals, you must surely visit Chiang Mai between November 2006 and the end of February 2007.

Thai Shopping Phrases

The command of a few words of Thai will gain you a lot of respect and add a new dimension to your shopping experience. With just a few phrases of this gentle language you will win new friends, as well as ensure yourself of a better bargain! Learn the essential basics here.

Maps Overview

Preceding each market section you will find street maps detailing businesses by name and icon. In addition to these you will find overview maps, highlighting each particular market area in relation to the rest of the city.

Icons Explained

When on the ground with map in hand, you will find navigating to the individual shops a little easier. With some 3,000 businesses indexed, mapped, and identified under in categories, you'll be able to reach those 'not to be missed' places. Each business shown has its own helpful icon to quickly identify the category it falls under, and simplify your search.

Chiang Mai’s Shopping Markets

Over the past five years, numerous new market areas, 'enclave' housing boutique shops and studio workshops have sprouted up around Chiang Mai. They showcase the work of a new generation of contemporary arts and craft designers from Chiang Mai and beyond the borders of Thailand. Little known to the general public, they have attracted the attention of international buyers, and a vanguard of savvy bargain hunters. They breathe new life into the shopping attraction and are a welcome addition to the better known areas of the Night Bazaar, Ban Sankamphaeng, and Ban Tawai.

Bo Sang
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
The Ping River
Tha Pae Gate
Warorot Markets
Changklan Road
Chiang Mai Land
Three Kings
Wat Phra Singh
Huay Kaew Road
Nimmanhaemin Road
Chiang Mai University
Ban Tawai
Sankamphaeng Road
JJ Market

Product Overviews

Informative write ups, designed to provide you with a good basic understanding of the products that make up Chiang Mai's diverse shopping attraction.
Also included are general interest pages, covering things like bargaining, VAT, and shipping your purchases back home. There are also overviews of the food scene and the nightlife options available in Chiang Mai, for your post shopping recreation. Everything you need to gain a good basic understanding of the shopping attraction is here, read it and you will be able to hit the ground running.

Chiang Mai Book Shops
Fake Goods
Bargaining
Portraits
Nightlife
Precious Stones
Thai Massage
Buddhas and Religious Relics
Cooking Schools
Gold
Leatherware
Tailors
Internet Café’s
Mobile Phones
Shopping Centres
Shipping
Thailand’s Tea
Vehicle Hire
Vat Refund
Restaurants and Dining Out
Medical Care and Dentistry
Home Décor
Thai Coffee
Antiques
Silver
Teak, Hardwood Furniture and Carvings
Thai Silk
Cotton and Hemp
Lacquerware
Ceramics and Celadon
Spas and Health Products
Textiles

Shopping Tips

Whether you're looking for fine silks, shoes or ceramics, you will find everything you need to consider both before you buy and in terms of after purchase maintenance in the 'Shopping Tips' provided. Here you will learn how to spot the genuine from the fake, to judge between a high quality item, and something that is nice, but not quite from the top shelf.

Precious Stones
Buddhas and Religious Relics
Woodcarvings
Gold
Leatherware
Saa Paper / Mulberry Paper
Thailand’s Tea
Home Décor
Bronze
Thailand’s Coffee
Handicrafts
Antiques
Silver
Teak and other hardwood furniture
Thai Silk
Cotton and Hemp
Lacquerware
Ceramics
Celadon
Health Products

Maps

You're almost ready to embark on a unique shopping experience, but how do you get to the particular area or outlet you wanted to go to?

Our extensive maps, covering the 15 listed markets in the down town area and beyond, will help you become a truly independent shopper. Go wherever you want, whenever you want. Use whatever form of local transport you like but be wary of being encouraged to deviate from your own choice of shops by those who would steer you to the tourist traps.
Use the main pullout map to get to the market area of your choice, check road names and landmarks to ensure you are heading the right way. Consider leaving your transport behind on arrival, using the maps within Chiang Mai's Shopping Secrets itself to navigate your way around the streets of the market area you are in.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
Ping River
Tha Pae Gate
Warorot
Changklan
Chiang Mai Land
Three Kings Area
Phra Singh
Huay Kaew Road
Nimmanhaemin
Chiang Mai University
Ban Tawai
Sankamphaeng Road
Bo Sang
JJ Market
JJ Market shop reference

For Enquiring Minds

The more knowledgeable you become on the shopping available, the better chance you will have of finding that something really special, perhaps the bargain that others might have missed.
‘For Enquiring Minds' covers the history, advent and manufacturing process of a number of products. From the art of Coffee making to the craftsmanship of fine paper, our in-depth write-ups will educate the shopping novice, satisfy the inquisitive, and enlighten even the most professional purchaser!

Inside Tracks

For those who buy the book before coming to Chiang Mai, or for those who want to enjoy the shopping experience online without making it here; Inside Tracks provides reviews on shops and products by members who have already made their purchases. It also reviews new items as they come on the market, allows members access to vendors websites, and provides an e-commerce and shipping solution in order that you may shop the markets of Chiang Mai online. See www.chiang-mai-shopping-secrets.com

The Track of the Tiger Tourism Questionnaire for those who have visited northern Thailand. Have your say, and help the authorities improve the tourism and shopping attractions. Fill in the questionnaire on www.chiang-mai-shopping-secrets.com and you qualify to enter the draw for valuable prizes.