Night Bazaar

As the school week drew to a close I found myself in my room all alone on a Friday night. With no invitations or plans for the weekend I decided to explore the city a little on my own and check out The Night Bazaar. Chiang Mai is known for it's markets, they tend to be cheaper than other places like Bangkok and Phuket. Although touristy there were still many Thais there, and it is certainly a staple of the city. Through broken English and a few drawings I arranged for a Taxi at 7pm to take me from my room to The Bazaar. I live on the North end of town near the mountains. This has its benefits as it's close to school, but it does not make for easy access to the city unless you have a bike (which I now do, but that story is still to come). I was told no more than 200 baht for a taxi and about the same for a Tuk Tuk*. Taxi was no problem and we agreed on 200 baht upon his arrival. 100 baht= $3.29 US Dollars.

As we cruised through the streets of the city blaring AC/DC I found myself smiling at the nostalgia and excitement. He dropped me off in the center of the Bazaar and I paid him our agreed 200 baht.

Exploring the Night Bazaar was enjoyable. Everything from Dvds for 100 baht (Any title you can imagine!), textiles, knock off bags, Tiffany and Co. Jewelry, Tique wood crafts, etc, etc.

Before I left I looked up how to say how much in Thai, Nee Tao Rai Na(ka or Krub*). This often helps to get a better price. If you use some Thai they assume you are an expat* and not just a Farang* tourist. Often this will help you to get a lower starting price to bargain from. I tested this theory with a Marc Jacobs make-up case. The first booth I went up and asked "How much?" in English. Her starting price was 300 baht. When I went up to another and asked in Thai it was 240 baht. Theory proven.

After an hour or two of wandering around and bargaining I stopped in a cafe to have some dinner. The rule is you go where you see Thai people eating. I ordered a curry soup and people watched. Alone, but content. Next to me was a man drinking beer and chain smoking. On the other side was a Thai couple immersed in each other and nothing more. In front of me where a group of Koreans laughing and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. My curry just about killed me with heat, but I was paying for it, and had to eat. When the server came to take it away I told her it was hot. She then let me know she had asked the cooks to make it as mild as possible! Looks like I have a long way to go with getting used to both kinds of heat in this country. After my meal and a few beers I decided to negotiate a Tuk Tuk home. They were lined up along the street. When I showed the first driver my address he said "300 baht." I said NO, 200 baht to get here. He replied with "15 clicks on map in Tuk Tuk." So we agreed upon 250.

*Tuk Tuk is a Thai cab (I use the term cab loosely).
*Use Ka for females, and Krab for males.
*Farang refers to a westerner in Thailand. Pronounced Falang
*Expat is short for Expatriate and is a foreigner who lives here.

Photos: Night Bazaar Booths, Thai Couple, View of central part of the Bazaar from where I ate dinner, Tuk Tuks lined up along the street.