Unique, interesting Markets around Chiang Mai

[jenrawks]

Hi all,

I'm looking for really unique markets in and around Chiang Mai. Off the beaten path, such as the AMULET market and the WATER BUFFALO market. Its okay if they're not open every day (first Friday of every month, stuff like that is fine).

In particular, does anyone know if there are any markets dedicated to selling "MYSTICAL" or "MAGICAL" type things, like potions, special Buddhist blessed items, ceremonial items, etc.?

THANKS!!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The amulet market with all kinds of assorted voodoo is Thippanet Market (off Thippanet Road). It's not massive, there are some market sellers and a bunch of shops along the side of the market.

The buffalo market out past Sanpatong is weekends only I think.

Then Kham Thiang market for plants and garden stuff.

Other than that.. the Big Market of course (Kad Luang / Talad Warorot) which is probably worth multiple visits at multiple times day and night. Be sure to include the flower market there along the river. To the North from there is Muang Mai market, which is more of a wholesale trading place (especially very early in the morning.)

Other than that most are pretty similar: Ton Payom, Thanin, Chiang Mai Gate, Nong Hoy, Kad Kom, Sanpakhoi and so on.

I like Kad Kom, not sure why. Maybe that it's more of a local old neighborhood market that feels a bit remote to me, along with a couple old pagoda ruins on the way leading down there.

Not really a market, but an area that's a bit different with lots of small shops is Santitham Road. (North from the 5-way Santitham intersection)

[jazzed]

I like the green market by bus on sat afternoons--..never know what u will find there..

Where is this market please?

[junglechef]

The Water Buffalo Market in Sapatong on Sat. mornings has tons of stuff as well as water buffalos in case your not in the market for one. I love to stop at the little fresh markets at dawn and dusk as you never know what your going to find, especially the ones a bit father out from the city.

[jenrawks]

I'm looking specifically for markets other than the Amulet and Water Buffalo market......

[KRS1]

cnx cant compete on the same level as bkk in regards to markets.

in bkk you have

1) electronics market

2) wholesale clothing market

3) distributor level clothing market

4) used auto parts market

5) new mocyc parts market

6) flower market

7) seafood market

8) chinatown in general where everything is at.

[CIHUAHUA]

มายากล

"In particular, does anyone know if there are any markets dedicated to selling "MYSTICAL" or "MAGICAL" type things, like potions, special Buddhist blessed items, ceremonial items, etc.?"

When you say “magic” what do you mean? Spell, charm, enchantment, magic tricks, incantations, occult sciences, , the paranormal etc. On the surface it is apparent that amulets are the magic choice of many Thai people. There are old and special amulets that even a well-to-do westerner can not afford. There are amulets for protection, for wealth, for health etc. There are other things kept in small vials that some Thai people wear around their neck filled with hair, ashes, mummified cat fetus etc.

There are also tattoos that many people have for all the same reasons and even some old ,holy, respected monks are covered from head to toe in them. The power in these things depends upon their belief that they will work in time of need, and many times they do work. It is not too different than what “The Church”, referring to Catholicism, offer their followers. An example are the holy medals, scapulas, blessed by a priest. The body parts of “saints” and of course the wine and bread turned into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. All of these things are an individuals perception of the power bestowed through the object or a shield - an outward sign for others to see.

Now, on the other hand if you are looking for real magic in a more darker area let me warn you – it does exist here in Thailand and other places in the world, but you will not learn about where to go on this forum from anyone who knows. If it is vengeance you are after remember what some great man said, “Dig two graves one for your prey and one for yourself.”

[SpeakeasyThai]

Meat Market ?

[elektrified]

cnx cant compete on the same level as bkk in regards to markets.

in bkk you have

1) electronics market

2) wholesale clothing market

3) distributor level clothing market

4) used auto parts market

5) new mocyc parts market

6) flower market

7) seafood market

8) chinatown in general where everything is at.

+1

And then some...

If I was looking for "interesting markets" I would head to Bangkok, not here.

[Gonzo the Face]

To me one of the most interesting markets that I have ever visited here in the past 25 +years is conveniently located very close to me..... Starts within a hundred metres of my front gate.

This is the Saturday and Sunday Market that runs along Doi Saket Road from between the Rattanakosin [Rama IX ] Bridge and all the way up to the end at the crematorium

. ....... and also the main wing from the traffic light on Doi Saket Rd [about in the middle of the aforementioned leg] south past the grounds of CMIS to the traffic light at Kaew Nawarat . This is the street near the Arcade bus station. This market has become huge and spread out during the past few years.

What makes this market so unique is the make up of the vendors. Yes they have some of the usual foods and nic-nacs but if you are from the West, back home you would know it as a ' Flea Market ',

and because of what is available. Just because this is Asia, there are different ' Fleas '

I am constantly loosing guests for the day who go there and seems like they forget to come home.

One example , and this may be hard to describe , but I'll try my best.

I have one doll baby of a French Lady who comes back sometimes a couple times a year. A few years back she went over for the first time.and stayed about 6 hours. She was just bubbling and couldn't wait to show me what she found. Now this may be hard to describe , so please try and picture what I hopefully will describe

It appeared to be a very old book, of most unusual shape

As we would know a book from top to bottom was about 3 inches.

The width , from side to side was about 10 inches or so.

The book cover was of some woven material , best described somewhat like burlap material.

The ends, on the left and the right were covered with a stitched on piece of leather covering top and bottom corners.

The burlap material between the left leather and the right leather , both top and bottom, had been covered with stitched on flowers in different colors and size, and had faded because it had to have been decades and decades ago.

It opened as a book would , not side to side, but rather bottom to top. In other words the spine or binder was on the top.

The book was between 2 and 3 inches in thickness.

When you opened it to the top, there were pages of fine parchment or saa paper in quality and on each pages were nothing but Burmese Language charactors

Someone had hand copied pages from the bible in the Burmese language . Page after page.

It was a spectacular looking piece of work.

I offered her 2,000 Baht for it and she just laughed at me..... She paid 500 B for it.

Knowing that she usually comes over here from France and scrounges around buying this and that

then goes back and sells the stuff on Ebay. ....... and she does all right with it..... makes enough to return often.

I asked her earllier this year if she sold that bible, and she looked at me in shock...... NO WAY ! !

She has it in a special spot at home with lights shining on it in display.

Anyhow thanks for reading this tome and if you get the chance, check out the Saturday and Sunday Mkt.

G

[EBF]

Where exactly is the Saturday Water Buffalo market? Looks interesting to check out, at least once anyway.