Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

 

So. Have you been to Thailand?

Or to be exact, have you been to Chiang Mai? =)

I recently went to this northern part of Thailand for a 4-day-3-night trip.

And?

It was awesome!

It’s right above Singapore and Indonesia.

Together with a few other friends from the media, we flew directly to Chiang Mai from Singapore, by Silk Air!

(I’ll share photos of our Silk Air in-flight experience soon!)

 
INFO:
– It is a 3 hour direct flight to Chiang Mai from Singapore

– Click HERE to check Silk Air’s daily schedule and promotions!

– I was told that the best time to visit Chiang Mai is between December and February (winter time!)

 

 

Okay. First thing first.

Where should we stay when we are in Chiang Mai?

I learned that if you wish to check out its famous Night Bazaar (open every night, till 12 midnight!), it’ll be convenient if you stay near the Night Bazaar area.

Which btw was where we stayed throughout our trip!

We stayed at Royal Princess Chiang Mai, and the night bazaar is just right there, in front of us when we stepped out of the hotel!

…

Before I continue on, I just want to say that I have QUITE A BIT to share about our Chiang Mai trip! =)

I’ll organise them under ‘Visit Chiang Mai Series’ yeah!

And all of them will go under my ‘TRAVEL TIPS & INFO‘ page later.

…

Okay, I’ll start by sharing photos of these two famous markets in Chiang Mai : The Night Bazaar and Warorot Market.

These two are closely located, btw. Less than 5 minutes walking distance from each other!

One is open at daytime. The other, at night.

Perfect =)

 

 

The famous night bazaar in Chiang Mai basically refers to countless stalls along Chang Khlan Road that open from dusk to midnight. It’s very ‘touristy’.

It’s where you can find all sorts of stuff, from clothes, accessories, food, snacks, gadgets, souvenirs, local Thai products, etc.

Part of the Night Bazaar is this area called ‘Anusarn Market’.

That’s where I bought some packets of Thai tea to bring back home! =)

 

 

If you have a friend who can speak Thai, let them be the one who bargain with the sellerAbove photo:
This was where I got my Thai Tea at Anusarn Market! =)

If you’re coming from the main entrance (with the big ‘Anusarn Market’ signage right above you), just walk straight ahead, and you should see this shop.

I checked a few other shops, and for the same kind of Thai Tea brand, the price here was lower than other shops.

TIPS:

– You MUST bargain there! =) Just be nice and friendly to them, and ask for discounts (eg. Start by around 30% lower than the price given)

– Use your Thai Baht for all purchases. If you need to look for money changer places and ATMs, there are some along the Night Bazaar (There’s a Money Changer near Royal Princess Chiang Mai Hotel)

– If you have a friend who can speak Thai, let them be the one who bargain with the seller.

Reason? You’ll most likely get better price if you can speak the language =)

 

 

Spotted this cute ice cream stall, selling cute ‘personalised’ ice cream shapes for 80 baht each! =)
(That’s around SG$3.30)

 

 

Want more tips when it comes to bargaining with the Thai locals? =)

Well, I was told that when it comes to ‘lowest and highest price’ offered to buyers, it works like this amongst the locals:

– Best price is offered if you’re a local (like, if you’re a Thai living in Chiang Mai, shopping in Chiang Mai)

– Second best is if you’re a Thai, coming from other provinces (eg. Thai local who lives in Bangkok and shops in Chiang Mai)

– Third best price goes to Chinese who can speak Thai

– Fourth is when you’re an Ang Moh (westerner) who can speak Thai =)

– And the littlest discount is given to … Chinese tourists, haha.

Reason?

I was told it’s because the Thai locals know the Chinese bargains real hard, haha!

Anyway.

Go ahead and test the above yourself yeah when you bargain away with the Thai locals =)

 

 

Oh btw, before I go on and tell you about the other market, I thought I should let you know how I reeeeallly want to try riding on a Tuk-Tuk! Haha.

Someone told me that Tuk-Tuk is like a Bajaj in Jakarta! And since I’ve been on a Bajaj before, so why do I want to try the Tuk-Tuk?

 

 

Well, because Indonesia is Indonesia, and Thailand is Thailand mah? =)

Sooo … a few eager friends and I walked all the way till the end of Anusarn Market, and took a Tuk-Tuk back to the hotel!

Short distance, but we all just wanted to experience it =)

There were 4 of us, and the Tuk-tuk driver quoted 80 Baht for all of us.

(Three on the back seat, one sitting next to the driver =)

So there you go!

Ride on a Tuk-Tuk in Thailand?

Checked!! =)

 

 

Now, here’s the other market I wanted to share with you : WAROROT MARKET!

This is one of the places where Thai locals do their shopping!

It is known to sell cheaper and usually better quality products compared to other markets.

At Warorot Market, you most likely find stuff that you can’t find at the Night Bazaar.

 

 

INFO and TIPS:

– This market is huge. There shops indoors and outdoors by the streets.

– You can still ask for discounts. They did offer a little price cut to me. The more you buy from a shop, the better the discount, naturally.

– The same bargaining concept I shared above applies =) Speak Thai to get better discounts =)

 

 

Be a little bolder, and try some ‘unusual’ food too while you’re there!In short, I’d say … you can almost buy anything at Warorot Market!

Let’s see : fresh / dried fruits, flowers, vegetables, meat, bread, herbs, spices, clothes, shoes, jewellery, souvenirs, cosmetics, gadgets, and lots and lots more!

AND.

I’d recommend that you be a little bolder, and try some ‘unusual’ food too while you’re there! =)

Like, … something like this ?

 

 

I took photos of the fried bamboo larvae above, and whatsapped it to my hubby.

He said ‘Whoa …. OK! Yes!’

And I took a shot of the fat bamboo worms below, and guess what he said?

‘Bungkus!’

(which basically is Malay / Indonesian for ‘Packet’, which can also mean ‘Take away’=)

Haha.

We didn’t get to walk all around the market, and I couldn’t find any other ‘unusual’ food, so I just bought those worms back home, and shared them with the kids, hubby, and friends! =)

 
TIPS:

– The fried bamboo larvae can last for 3 months, while the fat bamboo worms below can last for just around 3 days. Gotta eat them fast! =)

 

 

So there you go!

Two markets I’d recommend that you go and check out when you’re in Chiang Mai!

I’ll share more places to visit in Chiang Mai, real soon!!

Stay tuned!

 

[Special thanks to Silk Air and Tourism Authority of Thailand for the Chiang Mai experience!]