As for nightlife, even though there are quite a few bars and
clubs, Chiang Mai is not like
Phuket or
Bangkok. It's much more laid-back — less loud music & dancing and more lounging. For those who are bothered with the rampant prostitution around touristy areas in Thailand, Chiang Mai is a lot more toned down in comparison. Despite having a few girly bars on
Loi Kroh Road (just east of the Old City) and a couple of streetwalkers, most couples you see on the street are ones vacationing together from abroad. Here are some ideas of things you can do in town after dark :
Watch Thai boxing : 400-600 baht
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Get a massage : 180+ baht/hour
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Watch a movie at the mall!
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Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center ( Monday-Friday : 11 am - 10pm ; weekends : 10 am - 10 pm ) is a brand new gigantic shopping mall with a SFX Cinema on the 5th floor. It's a 10-minute walk east of Old City's northwest corner ( ■
map ). There's a big covered outdoor market next to it.
Kad Suan Kaew ( 7 am - 9:30 pm ) is another mall with a movie theater and a market out front less than a 5-minute walk east of Old City's northwest corner ( ■
map ).
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Central Airport Plaza ( ■
map ) is a 20-minute walk from the southwest corner of the Old City, very close to the airport.
Movies are 150-200 baht depending on the time/day.
The mall also has an arcade and many shops and restaurants that are open from 11 am-9 pm Monday-Friday and 10 am-9 pm on the weekend.
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You might want to check out the Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market ( ■
map ), which opens from 7 pm until midnight to the east of the Old City (Changklan Road and Loi Kroh Road)
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On Saturdays, there's Saturday Walking Street ( ■
map ), from 4 pm until midnight to the south of the Old City on Wualai Road, with food and things to buy! It can get very crowded though.
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On Sundays, there's Sunday Walking Street ( ■
map ), from 4 pm until midnight, around the center/east of the Old City (Ratchadamnoen Road. It's quite a large area of vendors selling food, art, clothes, handicrafts, and souvenirs. I like this one the best.
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