20 Best Souvenirs from Chiang Mai: What to Buy and Where (2026 Guide)
チェンマイ坂田Visiting Chiang Mai and not sure what to take home? This guide is for you.
Chiang Mai has weekend markets and shops everywhere, so it is easy to feel lost. I live here, and I have given many of these gifts to friends and family, or seen friends take them home happily. Here are 20 of the best souvenirs from Chiang Mai, with where to buy them.
I split the list into four groups: (1) Chiang Mai food gifts, (2) Chiang Mai crafts, (3) Thai snacks and food that are easy to hand out, and (4) Thai everyday items.
1. Chiang Mai food souvenirs
1. Coffee
Chiang Mai is the top coffee town in Thailand. Cafes around the city use local beans grown in the mountains.
You can choose not only the roast, but also how the beans are processed. That is part of the fun of buying coffee here.
You can buy beans at many cafes, including Akha Ama Coffee, which even has a shop in Japan.
Not sure if your friend has a coffee grinder? Choose a drip-bag set instead.
More coffee shops for good beans are in this post:
2. Chocolate
Many people do not know it, but Thailand grows cacao too. Look for bean-to-bar chocolate made with Thai cacao.
The Chiang Mai brand Siamaya Chocolate sells classic dark and milk chocolate, and also very Thai flavors such as Thai tea, chili, curry and durian. They use real spices and fruit, so the taste is rich and fragrant.
Another good place is Khom Chocolatier House, a chocolate cafe in the southern old city.
3. Tea leaves
Tea has a long history in northern Thailand, and tea drinks are popular here.
The Chiang Mai tea brand Monsoon Tea uses leaves grown close to nature, made into white, black and green tea. Their main products are flavored teas blended with Thai herbs, flowers and fruit. In the shop you can smell and taste before you buy.
Warorot Market also sells Chinese tea grown in northern Thailand. It tastes different from Japanese tea, so give it a try.
4. Honey
Northern Thailand is famous for longan and lychee, and you can buy honey made from their flowers, and from coffee flowers too.
Sizes go from small packs to one liter. Squeeze-tube honey is light and easy to carry, so it makes a great gift.
You can find it at the Night Bazaar, the Sunday Market and supermarkets.
5. Khao soi set
Khao soi is the signature noodle dish of Chiang Mai. This gift set has a mild coconut curry soup, crispy fried noodles and soft boiled noodles. You can enjoy the real taste at home.
The set in the photo is sold at supermarkets and the airport. You can also find similar sets at the Sunday Market.
2. Chiang Mai craft souvenirs
6. Celadon
Celadon is one of Thailand’s best-known ceramics. Chiang Mai has a long pottery tradition, and many people say you can find better quality at better prices here than in Bangkok.
The soft emerald green, called “celadon blue,” goes well with Thai food and Japanese food, and it is popular with Japanese visitors.
7. Hill-tribe embroidery
Chiang Mai is close to the borders with Laos and Myanmar and is home to many ethnic minority groups. Goods made with their fine embroidery carry the warmth of the maker, which makes them a lovely gift.
Popular places to buy are Warorot Market and Hmong Market.
Some shops use traditional embroidery in modern designs. De Quarr, a short walk from the old city, has many cute items.
8. Hand-stitched indigo goods
These stitched goods are a Chiang Mai specialty. White thread makes flowers and geometric patterns on naturally dyed indigo cloth. Each piece is slightly different because it is made by hand. They are not cheap, but they last a long time and may become your “forever” item.
Near the old city, try chachaa slow pace. A little outside the center, the weekend market area has shops selling stitched bags and clothes. Near that market, the Pakayo (Karen) shop also has one-of-a-kind items.
Want to meet the people behind these crafts?
The indigo cloth and hand stitching you see in Chiang Mai are part of Karen and other hill-tribe traditions. On our Karen village day tour (from 4,000 THB per person) you can cook, try natural dye and see village life up close.
9. Wooden crafts
Chiang Mai is known as a center of traditional Thai woodwork. Local craftspeople use skills passed down for generations to make beautiful and useful wooden items. Many are made from teak or rosewood, with fine carving and inlay.
A shop I recommend is The Story 106, within walking distance of Tha Phae Gate.
10. Rattan and bamboo goods
Thai rattan and bamboo crafts show off traditional skill. You can find baskets, bags and lamp shades that are both useful and nicely designed.
Rattan and bamboo are light and strong, and they fit an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle. The handmade warmth and the feel of Thai nature make them a good gift for yourself or others.
Several bamboo shops stand around Wai Nam Pung, within walking distance of Tha Phae Gate.
11. Chiang Mai cosmetics
Many cosmetics are made in Chiang Mai with carefully chosen ingredients: bath salt, bath oil, scrub, massage oil, skin care and candles.
You will find many products at Jing Jai Market and Baan Kang Wat. In the old city, Herb Basics sells handmade cosmetics with organic Thai plants, often cheaper than in Japan.
12. Postcards
There are many postcards only found in Chiang Mai, with Thai recipes or hill-tribe embroidery patterns. Find one you like.
At the Saturday Night Market I also found cute letter sets with hill-tribe costume designs.
Those were gifts you can buy because you are in Chiang Mai. Next, here are Thai souvenirs that are easy to give to many people.
3. Thai food souvenirs (easy to hand out)
13. Seaweed snacks
Tao Kae Noi is a popular seaweed snack at Thai supermarkets and convenience stores.
It is different from Japanese seaweed: people eat it as a snack or with drinks. The flavor is strong. Besides the original flavor, there are spicy and tom yum goong flavors. Buy it at supermarkets and 7-Eleven.
14. Pocky and Pretz
Pretz and Pocky are perfect snacks to hand out to many people. My personal pick is Pretz Larb flavor.
Pocky also comes in Thai flavors such as mango and chocolate banana, in cute packages.
15. Tea
ChaTraMue is the best-known tea brand in Thailand, famous for its cute cans.
It comes in powder and in single-serve bags. I recommend the single-serve bags because they are easier to use.
16. Thai cooking pastes
You can easily buy seasoning pastes for tom yum goong, green curry and many other Thai dishes.
They are great for people who like to cook. You can even make Chiang Mai dishes such as khao soi at home with a khao soi paste.
4. Thai everyday items
17. Thai cosmetics
Thai cosmetics are made for hot and humid weather, and many use natural ingredients.
Many brands are vegan or cruelty-free, so more products now match trends in Japan.
You can buy them easily at drugstores and convenience stores, with good quality at a fair price.
18. Yadom (nasal inhaler)
This is a traditional Thai nasal inhaler. Menthol and eucalyptus give a refreshing feel. One costs about 20 baht, so it is good for yourself and as a small gift.
If the stick type feels too mild, try the bottle type. It feels much stronger.
You can buy it at supermarkets and convenience stores. It is cheaper at drugstores and Warorot Market.
19. Elephant goods
The elephant is a symbol of Thailand and is said to bring good luck. You can find elephant figures, key rings and accessories everywhere.
Small elephant boxes are cheap and also good for handing out.
20. Toothpaste: Dentiss
The slogan of this toothpaste is “ready to kiss when you wake up.” It helps with bad breath, uses natural ingredients and has a fresh mint smell. People often buy it again and again.
Friends in Japan keep asking me for this one. If you have never used it, please try it once!
Frequently asked questions
What are the best souvenirs to buy in Chiang Mai?
Local coffee, bean-to-bar chocolate, tea, honey, celadon, hill-tribe embroidery and hand-stitched indigo goods are the most special ones. They are not easy to find outside Chiang Mai.
Where can I buy souvenirs in Chiang Mai?
Try Warorot Market, the Sunday Market, the Night Bazaar, Jing Jai Market and the shops near Tha Phae Gate. Supermarkets and the airport are good for snacks and khao soi sets.
What are cheap souvenirs to give to many people?
Tao Kae Noi seaweed snacks, Pocky and Pretz, ChaTraMue tea bags, Yadom inhalers, small elephant boxes and Dentiss toothpaste are all low-cost and easy to hand out.
Can I buy a khao soi set to take home?
Yes. Supermarkets, the airport and the Sunday Market sell khao soi sets. They are light and easy to pack.
Prices and shop details can change, so please check the shop on Google Maps before you go.
That is my list of the best souvenirs in Chiang Mai. If you have a favorite souvenir, I would love to hear it.
Useful apps before you go
Before your trip to Chiang Mai, I recommend downloading these apps.
More Chiang Mai guides
Looking for places to visit? Read this:
50 Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai : Top Attractions & Hidden Gems
The ultimate guide to Chiang Mai things to do by a local expert.
ManiTabi 
After shopping: village tours from Chiang Mai
You have found the gifts to bring home. Now bring home a story, too. ManiTabi is a small local team in Chiang Mai. We began by visiting hill-tribe villages, and we still do. Here are three village tours you can join from the city.
Karen village · about 1.5 hours from the cityKaren Village Life in NatureDay trip (about 9–10 hours) or 2 days / 1 nightDay trip from 4,000 THB per personSee the tour →
Tai Lue village · near Chiang MaiLife in a Tai Lue VillageHalf day (8:15 AM – 1:45 PM)From 3,300 THB per person (min. 4)See the tour →
Karen village · LamphunKaren Silver Jewelry MakingDay trip (about 12 hours)From 4,900 THB per personSee the tour →
Want to stay overnight in a village? See all our tours or the inquiry form.
Ask or book on WhatsAppJust send "village tour" — questions are welcomeTell us your dates and group size. Questions only are perfectly fine.
