| visitors to Chiang Mai head straight to the temples and | | | | The range continues to grow according to demand, |
| to the surrounding mountains to see the hill tribes. The | | | | and some of the latest pieces feature striking |
| culture in Northern Thailand may be defined by the | | | | contemporary designs. |
| excellent trekking and historic sites, but one of the | | | | Teak furniture is also very popular and can be found |
| greatest attractions for a growing number of people is | | | | at several shops, which will happily make items to |
| the excellent shopping at the Baan Tawai craft centre | | | | order. Don't be deterred by the task of trying to fit |
| located just to the south of the city. There are many | | | | everything into your luggage, as there are professional |
| good cultural souvenirs, handicrafts and home | | | | packing and shipping companies who will take care of |
| décor items to choose from here. | | | | everything for you in Chiang Mai. |
| The famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is probably the | | | | However, you don't have to buy anything to enjoy a |
| most popular destination for visitors looking for | | | | visit here, as it's fun looking around and seeing the |
| handicrafts to take back home. It's common for most | | | | artisans practising their skills. They are very gifted and |
| people to buy far more than they had planned, with a | | | | have considerable experience weaving rattan, painting, |
| huge choice of goods from interesting art and | | | | carving busts, colouring figurines and applying delicate |
| sculptures through to beautiful silk clothes and lamp | | | | lacquer work. |
| shades. What most of these people don't realise is | | | | Something else worth looking out for at Baan Tawai is |
| that it's possible to find all of these products and at | | | | the beautiful tropical gardens that can be found in front |
| cheaper prices at Baan Tawai. | | | | of many of the shops. As is the case throughout |
| The area has long been an artisan centre, but with the | | | | Chiang Mai, the locals take pride in creating impressive |
| growth in tourism over the last several years, Baan | | | | displays, gardens, water features and small ponds. |
| Tawai has expanded considerably. It now boasts a | | | | A lot of visitors are also attracted by the Asian |
| completely new wing and features several arcades of | | | | antiques, which are among the finest in the world. |
| small shops and stalls. There are also larger shops | | | | Chiang Mai has become established as a centre not |
| found on the road leading to the centre which sell | | | | only for original pieces, but also for impressive looking |
| outdoor ceramics, furniture and antiques. A number of | | | | copies. When you consider how much you would pay |
| overseas buyers regularly visit the centre to purchase | | | | for an original 18th century antique, you could furnish |
| items in bulk for their outlets abroad. | | | | your entire apartment with some very authentic looking |
| In Chiang Mai if you are looking for souvenir shopping, | | | | reproductions for the same price. |
| then it is definitely worth your while spending some | | | | The market is growing in size as more people are |
| time here. The products on offer are the cheapest | | | | opting for artworks that simply look old. Some of the |
| you will find in Thailand and include wall hangings, | | | | customers include the country’s most |
| antique reproductions, silk, candles, incense, soap gift | | | | expensive hotels in Phuket and Samui. The production |
| packs, bamboo products, frames, vases, ornaments | | | | process includes burying newly-made pieces soaked in |
| and a whole lot more. | | | | acid to shorten the aging period. Among the fake |
| You can probably find some of the items for sale in | | | | antiques on offer are Buddha figurines, Burmese |
| the tourist areas in Phuket, Pattaya and Bangkok, but | | | | masks, bronze bowls and pewter items. |
| the prices are significantly higher and the choice much | | | | Thai handicrafts are beautifully crafted, excellent value |
| smaller. Many of the products at Baan Tawai are | | | | for money and can be found wherever you go in the |
| handmade from natural materials and are unique to this | | | | world. The distinctive styles show up in flea markets |
| part of Thailand. | | | | and decor shops in the most unexpected of places. |
| There are lots of skilled artisans at work in Chiang Mai, | | | | You may not intend to do much shopping on your visit, |
| and one of their favourite materials to work with is | | | | but once you get here, you will probably find yourself |
| wood. They produce some fine Buddhist art pieces, | | | | buying extra luggage to carry your new possessions |
| décor items, carved figurines and wall hangings. | | | | home! |