Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a small town in Thailand, but it is one place where one can very easily have a long stay instead of short visits. During this trip i met up with some nationals who have been living in this little town from more than 3 to 6 months.
Chiang Mai has a lot to offer from Temples inside the old city to Doi Suthep, to Elephant Sanctuaries, to Yee Peng or Songkran festivals.
Other than these there is lots to do in the old city from cafe hopping, eating street food, or conversing with monks or window shopping in the night markets for local thailand made items.
Ploen Ruedee
When we talk about the Night Market in Chiang Mai, then definitely the search on any websites would take you to one destination – Ploen Ruedee Night Market.
Ploen Ruedee is a bustling market which has brought the best of Chiang Mai’s food and beverage vendors together along with quality entertainment under one starry night sky.
For me Ploen Ruedee was one vibrant night market with the colours, the ambience, the interiors and the sound of the crowd enjoying the live entertainment and live singing at the place.
Food
The first thing that comes into our minds, when you at the Night Market is to eat all the delicious local street food. To my Horror which happens almost in every Asian Country is that i don’t get Vegetarian Food, but luckily to my delight i did get some Potato Wedges and Noodles.
But for the Non Vegetarians there are Trendy food trucks with cute pop-up stalls and classic vendors to sell a great variety of food from some of the city’s best restaurants and chefs. Wander from stall to stall and sample an authentic pad Thai or bite into a juicy burger; grab a grilled stick of meat or dig into a big bowl of curry, the choices are endless and varied. Tables, chairs, even hale bales dot the grounds so you can sit down with a group of friends and share a selection of Pleon Ruedee’s best which changes everyday, or simply grab a bite at a bar counter with a cold drink.
I decided to take a drink in hand and enjoy the live music.
Live Music and Entertainment
The reason i entered into Ploen Ruedee Market was to hear the live music, and trust me it took me to my older days, not that i am too old but still if i have to say to hear the songs to whose lyrics i remember and i can dance or sing along to.
The girl on the mike was a complete rockstar, her voice was soulful and the guy on the guitar and singing along made me remind of Sting himself as they were singing my favourite track – Desert Rose
After collecting more knowledge from the stall owners i came to know that each night visitors are greeted with traditional Lanna music and dance, as performers showcase the best of Lanna culture (this i missed but there is always a next time.)
And those looking for something more contemporary can dance the night away with some great local bands such as Gimmy, Tomorrow Never Late, Soul Time and Doggy which happens at the main stage area where i was listening to the lovely songs.
A night market for all
Ploen Ruedee is a safe market. So whether you are travelling alone or with family this is one no hanky panky place. This means that it meets all the convenience and hygiene standards expected from international visitors. The bathrooms are large, clean, plentiful and free with a cleaning person on standby at all times. The market also provides a children’s zone where children can play in safety.
Sum up
Ambience – 10/10
Food – 10/10
Cleanliness – 10/10
Prices – Bit Higher than the other Night Markets but still worth it so – 8/10
Accessibility – 10/10
Drink Options – 9/10
Ploen Ruedee Night Market
Chang Klan Rd., A.Mueng
Open Mon – Sat (Closed Sundays)
Timings – 18.00 – 24.00
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