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The Doi Saket Market Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Updated: Jun 16
The Doi Saket Annual Market Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand is back after 4 years! We explore this local 4 day event and enjoy some traditional Thai food along with an EPIC discovery and purchase that made us two ARSENAL fans super happy. Explore this little known and local fair with us!
If we have learned one thing about Thailand, it's that markets are a bedrock of society here. Every town, village or city has at least one, or three! We really enjoy checking them out, no matter how big or small. You never know what you will find, least of all what Leon found at this one! But check that out in the video at the end!
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What is the Doi Saket Market Festival?
The Doi Saket Market Festival is a vibrant four-day event held annually in the Doi Saket district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It usually takes place in the second week of February, but the exact dates can vary and are often announced on local Facebook groups or the official Doi Saket website.
The festival is a celebration of Lanna culture and traditions, featuring a bustling market with over 500 stalls selling local handicrafts, food, and souvenirs. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances, traditional Lanna games, and a variety of other activities.
Lanna culture is the rich and vibrant heritage of the Lanna Kingdom, which flourished in Northern Thailand from the 13th to the 18th centuries. It's a beautiful blend of influences from various ethnicities and religions, primarily Tai Yuan (Lanna Thai people), Burmese, and Theravada Buddhism.
Our Doi Saket Market Festival highlights
We were told about the market by our awesome AirBnb host, but honestly we could hear it going on anyway! There is so much more than just the endless stalls of food and wares; there are also shows, exhibits, games and of course a Thai staple - karaoke! Given we live just ten minutes away by car, we could certainly hear the music bellowing out across Doi Saket every night! The very first night we heard it we knew we had to look into going.
Part of the reason we enjoy markets is obviously checking out the wide array of goods on offer, indeed at this one here in Doi Saket we even saw stacks of mattresses for sale! Thai markets are well known for food though, and honestly it is the first thing most people look forward to. Most importantly, don't eat before you go, so you have plenty of room for all the yummy things you will try!
When we arrived in town we could sense the buzz of the market the moment we stepped out of the car. Cars, bikes and people were everywhere! One can only imagine the economic benefits this market brings to the town, and how tough it must have been throughout the pandemic not having it. It was a delight to see it up and running and we were very excited to see what it had to offer.
We grabbed a smoothie, some meat-on-a-stick (very popular here in Thailand) and some noodles. As expected it was absolutely delicious and very reasonable on price. There were so many food options it was almost overwhelming and we could have easily bought more!
The market was sprawling; it branched off in two directions with food dominating the eastern sector and arts, crafts and homewares made up a bulk of the western quarter. The atmosphere was buzzing to the sound of music, the throng of the crowd and the hum of the local vendors. We even came across a charity stall too offering fun games to play to help raise money for a local hospice.
People and business owners alike come from all over Chiang Mai for the Doi Saket Market Festival and it really did feel like a true celebration. All in all it was a fantastic experience, as it usually is with Thai markets. We are really happy for the town of Doi Saket and of course all of the locals who put so much in to making this market a success. Let's hope it never has to close again!
What to expect at Doi Saket Market Festival
● The festival can get quite crowded, so it's best to arrive early. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking.
● Bring sunscreen and a hat, as the weather can be quite hot and sunny.
● Be sure to bargain when you're shopping at the market.
● Have plenty of Thai baht on hand, as there may not be many ATMs in the area.
When is the Doi Saket Market Festival
The Doi Saket Market Festival is usually held over a 4-day period on the second week of February. This can be subject to change however and is usually announced on area Facebook groups.
How to get to the Doi Saket Market Festival
It should take about 50 minutes to get from Chiang Mai to Doi Saket by car, depending on traffic. Try to leave before peak rush hour, usually between 5pm and 7pm.
If you're not planning on driving, there are also public transportation options available, such as buses and songthaews (shared taxis). These will take longer than driving, but they can be a more affordable option.
Our Doi Saket Market Festival experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
If you're looking for a unique and authentic Thai cultural experience, the Doi Saket Market Festival is definitely worth adding to your list. It's a great opportunity to learn about Lanna traditions, sample delicious food, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Doi Saket.
Don't miss: Wat Phra That Doi Saket in Chiang Mai
Wat Phra That has an incredible golden chedi that is said to house a piece of Buddha's hair, and the vantage point from here is epic too!
Check out the Doi Saket Market on YouTube
Photos are great, but we all love some video visual don't we? That is why we also filmed the whole thing, and have packaged all of our footage into a nice YouTube video you can enjoy! All you have to do it tap the link below, or search Jenn and Leon to find us.
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