Shopping in Chiang Mai

 April 12, 2026 (Yes, I started this post 5 days ago. Sorry.)

Greetings everyone,

In anticipation of store closures over the three day Songkran Festival, I did some grocery shopping in addition to my "settling in" shopping upon first arrival. 

Malls here (as well in Cambodia and Vietnam) remind me of the "mall generation" within the US.  You know what I mean (if you were born before 1988 maybe 1990), it was the 70's- 90's before on-line shopping crippled malls. It was a place you went with your friends and just enough money in your pocket for an Orange Julius and a movie. It was where you scoured the crowds for who was there, who wasn't and once you started driving, it was mall parking lots that teens hung out to talk with one another, as if they hadn't just seen each other at school earlier in the day. 

 Malls over here are filled with giggling groups of girls and groups of boys, jostling one another and pointing out someone they like (or don't like). Families, many with grandparents in tow, walk through the mall with parents giving their children the stink eye when catching them on their phones texting and children responding with an adolescent eyeball roll that they have perfected after age 11. 

The malls are richly decorated.  The Maya Mall is one of three large ones here in the city. There is a large parking deck behind the mall allowing for the entrance to be substantial (cannot think of a better word) in its presence. 

          

             Outside the Mall                                    Outside the Mall

 

    Maya Mall Entrance                                                        Once Your Enter the Mall

This mall is 6 stories tall.  The 5th floor is the food court.  And when I say food court, it most definitely expands the definition.  There are easily close to 100 kiosks and restaurants!  This picture was taken on Thursday the 9th at 11:30AM and tables were jammed packed.  This is only one view of the tables. 

Sushi bar (FYI: In general, 32 Baht= $1) where you make your selections that look like works of art. The clothing was lovely but we're talking sizes 0-6 US most likely. Fun to look though. 

 

   Literally Hundreds Eat the Mall Food Court                   KFC- Rember 32 Baht= $1 USD

 
   Mall Lighting Down One Hallway                                   Mall Lighting Down Another Hall

Flooring Between Kiosks at the Food Court

My Late Lunch- Roast Duck w/ Rice, Pork Dim Sum, Mushroom Broth, 

Fresh Lim.e Juice w/ a splash of simple syrup (I couldn't finish it and didn't eat any dinner!)

 

    Menu at a Kiosk                                                      Area to Sit and People Watch

Sushi Bar

The ceilings and floors were very striking.  Shopping here is a feast for the eyes but not for the ears, the cacophony of noise is teeth jarring. 

There are multiple malls in Chiang Mai, two of which have the big players here in grocery stores: Tops and Riping.  I also found a free standing Riping that is very, very nice.   Grocery shopping is a bit like navigating a mixture of languages and cultures.  For example, I wanted to purchase a box of saltines, my choices were sugar crackers, cream crackers and bisquits, though bisquits is typically the British word for cookies. I went with  a box that had pictures of what looked like saltines. You just have to roll with what you've purchased unless it really does not suit your taste buds, which on occasion happens. The pictures below show you how cheap and how expensive groceries can be here.  It depends upon what you are looking for.  

A jar of Planter's Peanuts, which at Publix (when they are on BOGO), is typically around $3.50 a jar. Not here! A jar is $9.92; whereas, eggs are $0.95/ dozen!  So shopping local and shopping in season is critical when it comes to one's food budget.  I buy a carton (think Planters size can) of cashews for $2.00 and fresh tropical fruit is typical $1 or less.  Speaking of which- I know it is soon to be blueberry time at home.  While the winter freezes hit Alachua County farmers hard, someone put a pint in their freezer for me. I miss my morning blueberries, which are imported at $12/ carton. I'll pay you back!

  

That is all for now.  I've had this entry in draft form for a few days and was determined to get it posted today. 

Wishing you all well. 

Stepping Off the Sidewalk..... Into New Adventures

Karen

Disclaimer: The content of my writing strictly represents my personal views and not those of the University of Florida, the U.S. government, the Department of State, or partner organizations.