Nightlife in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar: Located in the center of the town, Chiang Rai Night Bazaar is the perfect option for your evening snack cravings and has pretty amazing options for an extraordinary dinner. It has everything from hill-tribe handicrafts, unique T-shirts, and other souvenirs to evening shows of traditional Thai dance and food stalls selling delectable local Thai food. The Night Bazaar is a wonderful cultural experience that deserves to be on your list of places to visit in Chiang Rai at night.

Location: Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 6 pm to 11 pm.

Walking Street Chiang Rai: If you happen to be on the 1.5-km stretch of Thanalai Road in Chiang Rai on a Saturday, then you’ll get to witness the barren road come alive with people exploring the many shopping stalls, food carts, the live folk music, and cultural performances depicting the life of the ancient Lanna people. Feast on samples of northern Thai snacks, buy beautiful handicrafts, clothing, tribal crafts, etc and take back souvenirs you’ll cherish forever.

Location: Thanalai Road, from Tung Garden to Chiang Rai Vocational College.

Timings: 4 pm to Midnight.

CentralPlaza: Visit the CentralPlaza Chiangrai for the best shopping experience of your life as this 4-storey shopping plaza provides you with a wide range of products in a modern “Lanna” shop concept, which consists of everything from electronic equipment, sports equipment, fashion and accessories, a wide selection of food and beverages, handy crafts, etc. Don’t miss the Major Cineplex and Karaoke experience, wherein you get to enjoy your favorite films at best quality and utmost comfort and even get to present your vocal talent.

Location: Rob Wiang, Muang district, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 11 am to 9 pm.

Sunday Happy Street (Snag Khon Noil): Every week, on Sunday, the San Khong Noi Road in Chiang Rai becomes ‘Happy street’ and is open only to pedestrians who are there to indulge in its vibrant night market open from 6pm to 10pm. Here you will get the chance to witness the best of Chiang Rai, in terms of art and crafts, on display, be it vendors selling a wide variety of delicious food options, amazing local performances, or souvenirs you can cherish forever.

Location: San Khong Noi Soi 1, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 6 pm to 10 pm.

Kad Luang (The Big Wet Market): Also known as the ‘Big Wet Market’, Kad Luang is often regarded as a historical landmark known for its variety of local food and products. Spread across a 3-storey building, its first floor is devoted to food items and goods and if you are looking for clothes, beauty supplies, or handicrafts, then ascend to the second and third floors. While you may find that the products here are similar to those in other markets, the secret of Kad Luang’s popularity is that everything is considerably cheaper here!

Location: Between Thapae Road and Chang Moi Road, Chiang Mai.

Timings: 6 am to 5 pm.

Visit The Clock Tower: Regarded as Chiang Rai’s most unique attraction, this elaborate golden clocktower is known for its surreal laser light and musical performance. A sight to behold during the day hours, it is simply breathtaking during evening hours, lit up in different mesmerizing colors from gold to pink, to blue, and many such vibrant hues.

Location: Suk Sathit, Tambon Wiang, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 7 pm to 7:15 pm, 8 pm to 9 pm.

Eat at Leelawadee Restaurant: The locals’ favorite go-to restaurant, Leelawadee is known for delivering delicious food at reasonable prices. Facilities like live music, coupled with some of their renowned delicacies like the famous steamed snapper with lemon and pineapple fried rice. The restaurant even has an amazing view of the Kok river! So, it is advisable to either come here early or book in advance, for this food paradise tends to get filled up pretty quickly.

Location: 19 58/2 Khwae Wai Rd, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 11:30 am to 12 am.

Hill-Tribe Museum Souvenir Shop: If you are looking for the ethnic embroidered handicrafts by the various hill-tribes residing in the city of Chiang Rai, then the Hill-tribe museum souvenir shop is your answer. Here you can find everything from beautifully embroidered bags, placemats, bed covers, pillowcases, wallets, etc. You can also amp up your knowledge of the culture of the hill-tribes via the plethora of amazing books available on the matter in the shop.

Location: 3rd floor PDA Building, on Thanalai Road.

Timings: 09:00 – 18:00 (Mon – Fri); 10:00 – 18:00 (weekends and public holidays).

Shop for handmade jewelry at Mz Collection: A hub of handmade crafts, Mz Collection is a jewelry boutique consisting of handmade pieces made of silver and semi-precious stones, sourced locally. You can find countless options to choose from when it comes to earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Location: Bus Station Road, Night Bazaar area.

Timing: 6 pm- 11 pm.

Shop at Nine Shop Chiang Rai: When it comes to the place to visit in Chiang Rai at night, the Nine shop tops the list. Bursting with vivid colours, the shop specializes in hand-painted fashion accessories, like T-shirts, sneakers, tank tops, socks, and other items.

Location: Night Bazaar, near the Klang Wieng food court

Timings: 6 pm to 11 pm.

Bar Lamyai: Cheap drinks and free wi-fi- if that doesn’t spell paradise for you, then how about adding access to live sports telecast to this mix? Sounds too amazing to be true? Well, this heaven on earth does exist in the form of Bar Lamyai in Chiang Rai. If you want to truly experience the nightlife in Chiang Rai, then make sure to visit this cozy bar to give a fitting end to your day.

Be it the jam sessions, the free pool bar, or the overall ambiance, Bar Lamyai is an integral part of Chiang Rai nightlife.

Location: Jet Yod Road, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 11;30 am to 10 pm.

Coconut’s Bar: Giving you extensive choices when it comes to drinks and cuisine, Chiang Rai’s Coconut’s Bar is the perfect place to grab a drink or share a bite with your friends. Like other bars, it also has amenities like a pool, live football matches, etc that complements its varied drink choices which include local whiskeys, cocktails, beers, and much more

Location: Jet Yod Road, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 8 am to 9 pm.

The Turntable Jazz Bar: One of the most popular music bars in Chiang Rai, the Turntable Jazz Bar is known for its variety of beers and cocktails. It also has live jazz music and tunes, a huge collection of jazz CDs, and rare books, readily available to you to amp up your music knowledge.

Location: Between Night Bazaar and Fruit Market (Sirikorn Market).

Easy House: Easy House is a western and Thai country style bar, serving a wide range of western and Thai dishes and is best for those who seek the vibrant aura of bars but prefer a more subdued atmosphere. Unlike the other bars, Easy house has other entertainment options like cable TV programs, movies, and light music.

Location: Night Bazaar, near the Klang Wieng food court.

Timings: 10 pm to midnight.

Barrab Restaurant: The menu here has everything from vegan to non-veg to gluten-free options that cover the local cuisine, Asian, and Thai cuisine. Highly recommended by every tourist who visits this small yet beautiful restaurant, the food here is tasty, flavorful, and fresh, as well as very reasonably priced.

Location: Trairat Rd, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm.

Crepe Corner Chiangrai: Of the countless places that make up the vibrant nightlife in Chiang Rai, the Crepe Corner is definitely worth visiting. With an extensive breakfast menu, this restaurant has the most delicious crepes you will ever get to taste. Having a calm and relaxing environment, Crepe Corner is always on the must-visit list of tourists and locals, alike.

Location: Jetyod Rd, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 8 am to 8 pm.

Coffeenergy: Another great place to your breakfast at, Coffeenergy is a nice and cozy cafe for travelers seeking some alone time or peace away from the noise of the world outside. While the prices of the food items are less, there are no compromises when it comes to quality. Complimenting their countless breakfast options is their amazing coffee and wonderfully quick service.

Location: 845/2 Pao Khun Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai.

Timings: 7 am to 3 pm.

Sanfran Burger & Beer: Serving the best cheeseburgers in the world, Sanfran Burger and beer is famous for its amazing food and equally wonderful hospitality it extends towards each customer. Unlike the burgers you usually munch on, which are overstuffed and quite a mouthful, the burgers here are perfectly proportioned and will satisfy your craving to eat something salty and cheesy for a reasonable price.

Location: ambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Rai.

Timings: 11 am to 10:30 pm.

Pad Thai - Thai Food: A vegan-friendly restaurant in Chiang Rai, Pad Thai is known for its tasty, flavorful, and inexpensive food options, without compromising on the quality and the taste. We would definitely recommend this if feasting on simple, authentic Thai food is in your plans of enjoying the nightlife in Chiang Rai.

Location: Rop Wiang Sub-district, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai.

Timings: 8:30 am to 11:30 pm.

Phu Chi Fa: Chiang Rai’s most scenic location, Phu Chi Fa, is a rocky valley and proves to be a scenic hike because of the amazing sunrise you get to witness as you stand on its highest point. The best time to embark on the 1 km hike to Phu Chi Fa is early in the morning, so that you don’t miss out on witnessing the amazing view of a glorious sunrise. You can also explore the small hiking trails on the Thai-Laos border a little farther away.

Doi Pha Tang: Located approximately 30 km north of Phu Chi Fa, Doi Pha Tang is located near the small ethnic Chinese settlement, Ban Pha Tang, from where it is almost a 2 km hike to the peak. From here you can witness a 360-degree view of Laos and Thailand, which is divided by the Mekong River.

Doi Mae Salong: Located just 6 km from Myanmar, Doi Mae Salong is nestled amongst ethnic villages and coffee and tea plantations. You have to access the peak, at an elevation of 1,367m, via a very steep road and the best time to visit Doi Mae Salong is between December and January as it is during this time that flowers bloom and cover the mountain- a mesmerizing sight to witness under the soft light of the moon, if exploring the nightlife in Chiang Rai is on your list.

Doi Tung: Located to the north of Chiang Rai, Doi Tung is another mountain situated near the Myanmar border. Like Doe Mae Salong, Doi Tung is also located amongst ethnic villages and tea plantations, giving one a heavenly view of nature from its peak.

The city of Chiang Rai is pretty safe to explore at night, as corroborated by many tourists who have visited the vibrant place. Many opt to walk over small distances rather than choose transport services that are available 24 hours as the night bazaars are pretty much bustling all night long and the places to visit in Chiang Rai at night are very-well connected.
But it is better to administer precaution and carry pepper spray or any other item you can use to defend yourself. It is still advisable to not wander through secluded areas all by yourself and to report if you find anything suspicious.

Apart from the aforementioned night markets in Chiang Rai, here are a few more:

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar: This opens daily from around 6:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M, no matter if it is raining or humid. This market attracts more tourists than the other markets as it has countless shopping options like clothing, jewelry, handicrafts by hill tribes, wood carvings, paintings, artificial dolls, etc as well as Thai music and dance performances.

The Municipal Market Food Court: Another food paradise right in the middle of Chiang Rai, the Municipal Market Food Court opened from 7:00 P.M to 11:00 pm daily and provides many options from fried treats to healthy salads making the Chiang Rai nightlife a blessing for food lovers. It also has a platform where local entertainers perform while you munch on the delicacies the place offers.

Wannapa: Located next to the famous Clock Tower in Chiang Rai, Wannapa is a renowned local snack shop known for its mouth-watering grilled northern-style sausages and deep-fried pork skin, that too at affordable prices.

Go on a night tour of Chiang Rai via a tuk-tuk: Enjoy the vibrant vibes of the Chiang Rai nightlife on a fun-ride of the tuk-tuk and explore the streets during the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar as they’ll be brimming with exotic merchandise, local handicrafts, and much more. After you have shopped to your heart’s content, hop onto tuk-tuk and visit the famed Clocktower and get ready to be mesmerized by its vibrant, twinkling colors.

Tour of city + dinner: Explore Chiang Rai’s bustling main market to indulge in shopping items at less prices and for a chance to let your hidden bargaining skills to take the stage. After this, hail a trishaw and pass by the King Mengrai Monument and witness its grandness, aglow with unique lights. End your evening experiencing the Chiang Rai nightlife with a Thai dinner as you watch traditional Thai dance performances.

Chiang Rai Pub Crawl: Indulge in enjoying the full experience of the coveted Chiang Rai nightlife. Mingle with international travelers from across the world and go bar-hopping, exploring the best bars and clubs in Thailand´s second-largest city.

Doi Bo View Point: Accessible at any point of time, Doi Bo View Point is one of the unexplored destinations in Chiang Rai. If you love camping and want some alone time at peace with nature, then this location, situated 993m above sea level, is perfect for you, especially during late evening hours when the fantastic views add to the charm of the nightlife in Chiang Rai.

Mae Khachan Hot Springs: Situated between Chiang Rai and Chaing Mai, the Mae Khachan Hot Springs is for those who seek to spend some quality time with their family as they enjoy dipping their legs in the soothing hot mineral water.

Blue Temple: Open from 8 am to 8 pm, the Blue Temple is not like any other temple in Chiang Rai. Standing on the ruins of an ancient shrine, the Blue Temple was built in 2005 and is an amazing combination of modern art and traditional architecture, making it one of the must-visit spots while you are exploring the nightlife in Chiang Rai.