- Shopping -
LOCAL PRODUCTS
Chiang Mai is quite simply Thailand’s
major centre for quality handicrafts. The visitor need
merely visit the nearest city emporium or night market
to purchase an extraordinary variety of antiques, silver
jewellery, hilltribe opium pipes and embroidery, Thai
silks and cottons, basketry, celadon, silverware, furniture,
lacquerware, woodcarvings and parasols.
A major advantage of shopping in Chiang Mai is that
the visitor may watch artisans working within the city
and in several outlying villages, particularly along
the Bo Sang-San Kamphaeng Road where, in genuine cottage
industries, parasols, silk and cotton weaving, jewellery,
woodcarving, silverware, celadon, and lacquerware are
manufactured, and number among popular purchases. |
Cottons & Silks |
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First-class Chiang
Mai cottons and silks are of incomparable quality. Cottons
and silks have innumerable fashion and furnishing applications.
The largest possible selection is available in San Kamphaeng. |
Umbrellas/
Parasols |
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These are inextricably
associated with Bo Sang where villagers have been engaged
in their manufacture for at least 200 years. All materials,
silks, cottons, Sa paper (manufactured from the bark of the
mulberry tree) and bamboo are produced or found locally.
Visitors to Bo Sang will see literally hundreds of designs
and sizes ranging from the miniature to the gigantic. |
Silverware |
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The finest Thai silverware
is exquisite, and is made in Chiang Mai, where certain families
have practised their art for several generations. Traditional
skills and a guaranteed content of at least 92.5% pure silver
invest bowls, receptacles and decorative items with authentic
value. Silver shops are concentrated on Wua Lai Road, where
silverware artisans and their families live. |
Lacquerware |
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Striking black and gold designs
give lacquerware its visual appeal and sheen. This decorative
are enhances items made of wood, bamboo, metal, paper and
baked clay, in the form of receptacles, ornaments and various
souvenirs. |
Furniture/
Woodcarving |
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Chiang Mai’s Ban Thawai village in Hang Dong district,
is a major centre of furniture making. Major woods and
materials include teak, rosewood and rattan. Items may
be unadorned or, especially with teak and rosewood, artfully
carved in traditional or modern designs. Woodcarving
is a traditional northern Thai art featured in numerous
temples. In recent years, wood carving has increasingly
embellished furniture, gracing screens, chairs, tables,
beds, indeed anything bearing a wooden surface large
enough to be carved. Carved elephants, figurines and
tableware number among other popular purchases. |
Hilltribe
Products |
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-:These
include silver ornaments, such as bracelets, necklace,
pendants and pipes of intricate design, and embroidered
items including tunics, jackets, bags, purses, caps and
dress lengths.
-:Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies
- Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated with
24-carat
gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace
pendants, hairpins and earrings. |
Pottery |
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-:Chiang
Mai is the major centre of Thailand’s pottery industry.
Prized items include high-fired celadon which is produced
in many forms, including dinner sets, lamp bases and
decorative items. |
HANDICRAFT VILLAGES
The Industry Promotion Centre in the North has carried on promotion for the
village where villager themselves have inherited their cottage industry for
decades. The following names are village (Mu Ban) that carry their fame for
particular products:
Mu Ban Si Pan Khrua is famous for bamboo works and lacquerware.
The village is located in Tambon Tha Sala, Amphoe Mueang.
Mu Ban Wua Lai is famous for silverware
and lacquerware. It is located in Tambon Hai Ya, Amphoe Mueang.
Mu Ban Mueang Kung is located in Tambon
Nong Khwai, Amphoe Hang Dong. It is famous for earthenware.
Mu Ban Roi Chan, located in Tambon Nong
Khwai, Amphoe Hang Dong. It is famous for basketry..
Mu Ban Thawai is famous for antique imitation.
The village is located in Tambon Khun Khong, Amphoe Hang
Dong.
Mu Ban Kuan Thahan Kaeo is famous for earthenware.
It is located in Tambon Thahan Kaeo, Amphoe Hang Dong.
Mu Ban Nong Ap Chang is in Tambon Sop Tia,
Amphoe Chom Thong. It is famous for handmade natural dye
cotton.
Mu Ban Don Kaeo is famous for bucket weaving.
The village is located in Tambon Don Kaeo, Amphoe Saraphi.
Mu Ban Pa Bong is in Tambon Pha Bong, Amphoe
Saraphi. It is famous for woven products.
Mu Ban Ton Pao is famous for Sa paper products.
It is located in Tambon Ton Pao, Amphoe San Kamphaeng.
Mu Ban Bo Sang is famous for umbrellas,
fans and woodcarving.
Mu Ban Ton Phung is in Tambon Ton Pao,
Amphoe San Kamphaeng. The village is famous for umbrella
making and woodcarving. |