Looking For A Rainy Day Activity? Want To Stay Out Of The Sun? These Awesome Shopping Malls Will Keep You Entertained.
Shopping malls might not be the first thing that pops to mind when you think of Thailand. But whether you’re here for a few months or a few days, at some point you’ll want to escape the tiring heat or the rain in monsoon season and swap it for some sweet sweet air con.
Thai malls are an interesting mix of ultra-modern and downright weird. One minute you’re looking at high-end designer goods and the next minute you’re eating gyozas overlooking an indoor ice skating rink and listening to a Thai Elvis impersonator.
Here’s my list of the top 6 shopping malls in Chiang Mai that you’ve gotta visit.
Update: Two of Chiang Mai’s longest running shopping malls unfortunately closed during the difficult times of 2020-2022, leaving just 4 major shopping centres.
1. Maya
Opening Times
Weekdays: 11am – 9pm
Weekends: 10am – 9pm
(Directions)
Built in 2014, Maya Mall is a 5 storey, super modern shopping centre on the corner of Huay Kaew road. Right next to the hipster district of Nimmanhaem, its a perfect day time activity featuring fashion boutiques, Western & Japanese restaurants, a vibrant food court and an awesome free co-working space.
By night Maya becomes a slinky evening hotspot complete with rooftop bars with gorgeous views of Chiang Mai plus a state of the art cinema!
Highlights of Maya Shopping Mall
- SFX Cinema
- Thai people love going to the cinema so even in small Chiang Mai there’s a modern SFX cinema complete with a Dolby sound system. Here you can watch films in luxury for a mere 100 baht ($3.20), but remember to bring your jumper as Thai cinemas have notoriously cold air conditioning!
- CAMP co-working space
- is Thailand’s first creative community venue and is open 24/7. It’s sponsored by Thailand’s biggest mobile network AIS who also power their super-fast WiFi. To use their 100Mb WiFi, check out this guide.
- Rimping Supermarket
- a European style supermarket which has a huge range of imported foods to remedy your homesickness.
- Renovated Food Court – Behind KFC 4th Floor
- What used to be a low bench creature comfort food court behind KFC, has been fully modernised & renovated into an upmarket Food Card Plaza. Definitely worth checking out.
2. Central Festival
Openings Times
Weekdays: 11am – 9pm
Fridays: 11am – 10pm
Weekends:10am – 10pm
(Directions)
This futuristic 6 storey mall wouldn’t look out of place in London or New York and has a large range of shops available. Located just off the superhighway, the easiest way to get there is by Grab or Songtaew (red truck). Try to avoid arriving or leaving during rush hour (5-8pm).
There are lots to do here at night as well including swanky wine bars and Chiang Mai’s only IMAX cinema.
Highlights of Central Festival
- Indoor Ice Rink
- Chiang Mai’s only IMAX Cinema
- Designer Shops
- There are lots of brands you’ll recognize here like H&M, Uniqlo plus a Japanese 60 baht bargain shop called Daiso. And if you’re missing the UK you can sneak off to Marks and Spencer, sniff some digestive biscuits and dream of England…
- Food Options
- Authentic Thai food courts, Western-style restaurants, American fast food: KFC, McDonalds & Subway
3. Central Plaza (Airport)
Opening Times
Weekdays: 11am – 9pm
Weekends: 10am – 9pm
(Directions)
Central Plaza is a 5-minute drive from CNX airport, south-west from the old town. The original mall was converted to a Central mall in 1996. Its more old school style than Maya as the whole place is decorated in a contemporary Lana (Northern Thai) style.
Editors Note: Best Food Court in Chiang Mai!
There is a Major Cineplex cinema for entertainment but not much else compared to other malls. However, it does have some branded shops like Tops Supermarket, Mini So (discount Japanese trinket shop) and a large Robinson department store.
Highlights of Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport
- Mini Aquarium
- A classic example of random things you’ll find in Thai malls. For some unknown reason, there is a round bulbous aquarium smack bang in the middle of the ground floor… cool to look at while you’re wondering where all your money went.
- Traditional bazaar 2nd Floor
- Traditional teak gifts, trinkets and handmade ornaments, perfect souvenirs for your Aunt Nelly.
- Basement Food Court
- Lots of tasty local Thai food (don’t miss the BBQ’d caramel bananas) plus there’s the Japanese bakery Yamazaki for bready delights.
4. Pantip Plaza
Opening Times
Weekdays & Weekends: 10am – 10pm
(Directions)
Pantip Plaza is south of the old city in Chiang Mai, right next to the Night Bazaar area. This area is great for market food and trinkets plus lots of live music bars in the area.
Pantip Plaza’s main focus is IT shops as there are lots of them. This is the place to get your mobile phone screen fixed or if your laptop’s playing up. They also sell lots of different wires, adapters and extension cables.
Highlights of Pantip Plaza
- Big C Supermarket
- You can buy imported foods from Europe and the US and has lots of delicious treats in the bakery section.
- Watsons
- Good place to buy toiletries plus there’s a licensed pharmacy for medicine.
- Food options
- There’s a food court on the top floor for traditional Thai food plus KFC and Dunkin’ Donuts.
5. Promenada – Permanently Closed : (
Opening Times
Weekdays: 11am – 9pm
Weekends: 10am – 9pm
(Directions)
Promenada is a stunning shopping mall located south-east of Chiang Mai. Even though this mall is beautiful, because its around 20 minutes drive out from the centre, it is rarely busy.
It has lots of shops, Japanese & Western restaurants, wine bars and an SF cinema. Promenada used to be busier when Chiang Mai’s Immigration office was here (moved Oct 2018).
Highlights of Promenada
- Outdoor Space
- Promenada’s landscaped gardens have mini bridges, fish ponds and outdoor seating areas.
- Rimping Supermarket
- This Rimping has a much larger restaurant area than at Maya, so it’s great place for a swanky lunch
- Xiaomi Store
- The minimalist Chinese Tech giant has finally opened their second Thailand location outside Bangkok. Shop here for smart home gadgets like robot hoovers, smart kettles and high end mobile phones.
6. Kad Suan Kaew – Permanently Closed :'(
Opening Times
Weekdays & Weekends: 10am – 9pm
(Directions)
The recently renovated Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall has to be my favourite mall in Chiang mai for a number of reasons. Firstly, its right on my doorstep (& probably yours too) so there’s no need to be waiting around for map-clueless Grab drivers.
It might be a bit decrepit with more than a few areas looking like they might fall down, but in terms of sheer variety, it wins hands down.
The more floors you climb, the more random it gets. It took me 2 years to realise there’s an indoor climbing wall, performing arts school and bowling alley located somewhere on the top floors.
Highlights Of Kad Suan Kaew
- Shops:
- Cheap Fashion Stores
- 20 Baht Store
- Sports World
- Entertainment:
- 10-pin Bowling Alley
- 3x Amusements Arcade
- Karaoke Booths
- Massage Parlours
- Cinema
- Ping Pong Tables
- 50m Swimming Pool
- Live Music (Evenings Basement)
- Food:
- Tops Foodcourt, Basement Food Bazaar, Basement Thai Food Market
- Fresh Fruit Stores, Smoothies.
- International Buffet
- Subway, Pizza Hut, Auntie Annes, KFC
Have you visited any of these malls? Let me know which one’s your favourite in the comments below! : )
Which mall is your favourite? I can’t help but love the weirdness of Kad Suan Kaew! : )