Saturday Night Market - Mae Sot

No holiday in Thailand would be complete without an evening spent nibbling local delicacies and collecting handicrafts at a walking street market. In destinations across the country, certain streets are closed off to traffic, only to be transformed into blossoming social hubs for locals and tourists alike. As well as soaking up the surrounding buzz, visitors have a golden opportunity to eat to their hearts’ content and pick up a collection of souvenirs to take back home.

Saturday Night Market in Mae Sot

Since 2009, Saturdays in Mae Sot have meant one thing – the walking street night market on Soi Chan Chao Cheen. Whether you want to pick up a selection of locally produced goodies or simply take in the cheerful Saturday night vibes, this is the place to be.

The stalls – around 300 in total – open from around 4 pm in the afternoon. From clothes and decorative knick-knacks to original pieces of artwork and handicrafts, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking out souvenirs to gift to friends and family at home. There’s also a small stage where local students have the chance to showcase their talents, from dancing and singing to portrait drawing and other arty endeavours.

Getting to the market

The market takes place on Soi Chan Chao Cheen, a long street positioned next to a Chinese temple, just east of the police station. If you’re navigating the city on foot or bicycle, look out for the archway labelled ‘Happy New Year’.