Hello all-
Im planning a trip to Thailand this january and after putting my itinerary together, will have very little time for shopping, I wanted to incorporate one night shopping, because all my days are full of tours. Where is the best location for a night market, chiang mai, chiang rai or bangkok? I will have 2 nights in bangkok, one night in chiang rai and a 1/2 day in chiang mai, then flying into angkor wat-so not much time here!
Is is worth staying the night in chiang mai instead of chiang rai if the shopping is better there? How does the shopping here compare to bangkok night markets?(Ive heard the prices are cheaper..) Any ideas would be greatly appreciate it, I have to figure out which city to cram the shopping evening into!
Thanks!

There is a night market in Chiang Rai but it is small. There are some who like the night market in Chiang Mai but I didn't care for it. The best shopping in Chiang Mai is in the handicraft villages along San Kamphaeng Road east of town. I don't know if you can shop there at night. There is all sorts of shopping in Bangkok. There are other posters on this forum with more Bangkok experience than I who will weigh in on this.

hi craig-
thanks for your response-I was wondering, in your opinion, what made the shopping better at the handicraft villages than the night market? Also, are these the villages associated with the handicraft factories?

Damn, the one time I don't copy my reply and Fodors loses it...I'll try again:
The handicraft "factories" are for the most part, small and are associated with the towns although you won't be able to tell one town from another as you go down the road. I suggest you hire a driver with a car, not a tuk-tuk. They hang out by the hotels so it's easy to find someone. They are cheap - maybe $15 for an afternoon at most.

I thought the stuff at the night market was mostly low quality or else it was marked up stuff from the handicraft villages. At the handicraft factories you will find the most amazing hand-painted lacquerware, gorgeous umbrellas and fans, high quality silks, silver pieces, jewelry, furniture etc. Really worth spending a few hours.

i went to all three night markets in october 2004...chiang mai nite market is fun...the streets are bustling with
vendors selling everything from hilltribes crafts to t-shirts. enjoyable, entertaining and good fun. lots of souveniers.
lumpini nite market (sum luam) in bkk
was also very good. most things we saw
at the northern markets and villages
was available at the same or better price. and we didnt have to lug it all
around the country.
we loved shopping so each place was special. there is also an old market in
siem reap you will want to check out.
bargain hard, they expect it and prices
are usually 2 - 3 times more than you
should have to pay.
shopping is better in chiang mai than chiang rai for sure.
bring lots of us dollars for siem reap.
they want dollars and everything is listed in dollars on menus and shopping.

unable to tell what you are looking for?? you might do better to go to mbk in bangkok....you can buy almost anything there...

i find most nite markets to carry the same type or identical stuff that is "mass" produced and mostly of only fair quality...this is not 100% true but it is basically true...you see the same stuff in each thai market...

your time is very limited so maybe a stop at the nite market in bkk is your best bet and also a couple of hours at mbk...

good luck

I was in Bangkok earlier this month, and found the Patpong night market to be interesting in seeing all the 'sex shows' activities surrounding it. But as for actual shopping there, I would save it for the MBK mall, since things are pretty much identical there and about 1/2 cheaper at the 'listed' price (I presume more locals shop at MBK). Do ensure that you get to MBK before 9pm, since most stores will close before their stated 10pm closing time of the mall.

Don't know about Chiang mai or chiang rai.