Thailand Guide
The north
Shopping
1 Ban Tawai Village 15km south from Chiang Mai via Highway 108 www.bantawai.com One of Thailand's most important woodcarving centres, where virtually every village home has carvings for sale outside and each backyard hosts its own cottage industry. Prices are low and you can watch the woodworkers in action.
2 Gong Dee Soi 1, Thanon Nimmanhemin Stunning, contemporary wood and lacquer vases, boxes, lamps and bowls, much of it gleaming with gold and silver leaf, plus jewellery and furniture.
3 Living Space 6/9–10 Thanon Nimmanhemin www.livingspacedesigns.com Exceptionally appealing selection of original lacquerware designs. Opening time: Closed Sun
4 Neramit Off Thanon Chang Moi at 91/2 Thanon Ratchawong 053 234353 www.neramit-custom-tailoring.com Reputable tailor.
5 Nussara 66 Thanon Charoenrat Chunky cotton clothes, mostly in muted, natural colours, as well as scarves and other fabrics.
6 Pa Ker Yaw 180 Thanon Loi Khro Weather-beaten wooden shophouse stuffed with a selection of rich fabrics from Thailand, Laos and Burma, as well as hill-tribe jewellery and basketware and other crafts. Opening time: Closed Sun
7 Shinawatra 7km out on the San Kamphaeng road, with a shop at 18/1 Thanon Huai Kaeo Century-old silk factory and showroom, once graced by no less a personage than Diana, Princess of Wales, that's a good place to follow the silk-making process right from the cocoon.
8 Sop Moei Arts 150/10 Thanon Charoenrat
www.sopmoeiarts.com Gorgeous fabrics – scarves, wall-hangings, bags and cushion covers – and stylish basketware, with part of the profits going back to the eponymous Karen village and nearby refugee camp near Mae Sariang, where they're made.
9 Studio Naenna 138/8 Soi Changkhian, Thanon Huai Kaeo 053 226042 www.studio-naenna.com An excellent place to begin if you're interested in the whole process of traditional fabric production, particularly the use of natural dyes. If you phone for an appointment, you can see a demonstration of dyeing, including the plants from which the dyes are extracted; you can then watch the weavers in action (Mon– Fri) and buy the finished products, which consist of top-quality ready-made silk and cotton garments and accessories. They also have a textile art gallery with rotating exhibitions on the grounds (Wed 10am–4pm or by appointment) and an outlet for their products, Adorn, at 22 Soi 1, Thanon Nimmanhemin.
10 Vila Cini 30–34 Thanon Charoenrat Lacquerware and sumptuously coloured silk scarves and cushion covers, plus cotton and basketware next door at Oriental Style, under the same ownership.