Chiang Rai Night Bazaar tries hard, but it doesn’t live up to its well-known counterpart in Chiang Mai. The bazaar is located between the bus station and Phaholyothin Road in the center of town. The market consists of many small stands lining the narrow street running between Phaholyothin Road and the bus station. Roughly halfway down the alley is Centrepoint, an open-air restaurant surrounded by more stalls and with a stage for classical music and dance performances.

If you press on to the bus station the market snakes around to the left and turns into a food court. The food court is mostly aimed at Thais, but its worth a look. There are also one or two restaurants catering to foreigners facing the market. There are several more restaurants on Phaholyothin Road near the entrance to the Night Bazaar.

The night bazaar in Chiangrai is filled with hustle and bustle covering 4 city blocks. There are three stages all far enough away from each other to avoid ’sound collision’. In front of the stages are seating areas for patrons to sit and watch the shows plus have a meal, snack and cool beer. The variety of shops is really appreciated by shopping enthusiasts. Everything from silk ready-made garments to tattoo etching can be had. The hill tribes sell an amazing selection of old coins, collector’s pieces of needlework and very fine quilted bed spreads.

The night bazaar is also connected with the city’s fresh fruit market that is open at night. Those visitors who like to try the indescribable shapes, colors and tastes of Asian fruit can enjoy their fill of the great fruits in the height of harvest season.

Some visitors who have been away from western fast food or perhaps just curious to see if the flavor is the same as that in their neighborhood back home, will appreciate the selection of western franchise restaurants located near the night bazaar. Some surprise tastes are in store such as when the counter girl asks, ” will that be regular or hot and spicy?”