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In spite of the influx of multi-national supermarkets into Chiang Mai the Fresh Market still continues to flourish. In some ways it's easy to understand why. Fresh Market prices are lower than in the supermarkets and invariably the food is fresher. You can make your own selection, no hiding the overripe or elderly item at the bottom of a polystyrene tray here , while chatting with the friendly stall holders about everything from the price of fish to the l
atest lottery results. There are no queues to contend with and the overall pace is leisurely. It's quite common to see the vendors taking a nap behind their stalls. Indeed, these markets are a way of life for many Thai people and they are reluctant to change. Most of the fresh markets are open well before dawn.
The downside to these markets is that although the food may be fresh the markets are generally dismal, smelly places and definitely not for the squeamish. Attempts are made to keep flies and other insects off the food by the use of ingenious devices but it is a losing battle.
The largest Fresh Market is Worrarot (Gat Luang), the "Harrods" if you like of Chiang Mai where you can buy just about everything, but there are markets all over the city.
If you want a glimpse of the real Thailand then a visit to one of these markets is a must, and be sure to go early as most of their business is carried out before breakfast time.
