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Thailand has a rich tradition of handicrafts, developing over centuries of com­bining local materials, indigenous technology and skills from Chinese and Indian merchants. Drawing on such ancient technologies and the abundance of hard­ woods, precious metals and stones, raw materials for fabrics and dyes, bamboo, and clay, modern craftsmen have refined traditional techniques and now cater their wares to the modern market.

If you plan to shop in Thailand, save your money for Chiang Mai. Quality craft pieces and hand-made, traditional items still sell for very little and large outlets for fine antiques and high-end goods abound in and around the city. Many shoppers pickup an affordable new piece of luggage to tote their finds home and, if you find that huge standing Buddha or oversized Thai divan you've been searching for, all shops can arrange shipping. Below is a breakdown of what you find:

Tribal weaving and craftwork is for sale everywhere in the Lanna capital and you can come away with some unique finds.

Hilltribe embroidery crafts have been modified over the years, so you can find their delicate styles on anything from chic shoulder bags and backpacks to authentic hilltribe skirts and shirts.

The hilltribes' hand-woven textiles are rich in texture and natural tones, col­ ored with plants from local sources. Cool, handsomely simple, hilltribe designs are in ready-made cotton clothing and can be found anywhere for a song.

Some hilltribe groups are known for their fine silver jewelry -necklaces, bangles, and earrings-in unusual traditional ethnic designs or more ordinary Western styles. For all hilltribe handicrafts, the best place to shop is at the Night Bazaar and in fact you are sure to meet hilltribe women, covered in bangles and carrying arm-loads of their goods, wandering the market. These ladies are pretty persistent even if you express no interest.

Fine silver works are synonymous with Chiang Mai. Early smiths are believed to have immigrated from Burma with the coming of Kublai Khan, and skills have been passed from generation to generation. While silver is not a local resource, early raw materials were acquired from coins brought by traders. Tra­ ditional bowls feature intricate raised floral designs-the deeper the imprint, the higher quality the silver (some up to 80%). Jewelry items are crafted in delicate filigree designs in styles copied by many Western manufacturers. Many families set up shop along Wulai Road, south of the Old City, while outlets on Sankam­ phaeng Road carry large selections.

Gemstones can be good buys here, but like in the rest of Thailand you must be very careful of jewelry scams, overcharging, or the old bait-and-switch. Don't do any shopping with a tuk-tuk driver as a guide. Try the Sankamphaeng area.

Thai silk is big in Chiang Mai and outlets on Sankamphaeng Road have a larger quantity to choose from.

The early royals commissioned carvers to produce wood furnishings for use in palaces, thrones, temple doors and adornments, carriages, pavilions, howdahs for riding elephant back, and royal barges. The excellent quality of hardwoods in Thailand's forests allowed these items to be adorned with grand and intricate wood carvings. The skills survived and talented craftspeople still produce furni­ ture, boxes, and all varieties of gift items imaginable.

Wood carving now is per­ haps more influenced by foreign preferences and most pieces are mass-produced.

Lacquer skills came from China with early migrants. Sap is applied in layers to wooden, clay, or bamboo items and can be carved, colored, and sometimes inlayed with mother-of-pearl for a very elegant finished product. Today it is acknowledged as a traditional Chiang Mai craft, having been perfected over cen­ turies by the Khoen people who live in communities outside the city. Laquer­ ware vases, boxes, bangles, and traditional items are lightweight gifts, practical for carrying home. Larger tiered boxes and furnishings can be shipped.

Celadon pottery is rough finished and elegantly simple in tones of the palest gray-greens. The distinctive color of the glaze comes from a mixture of local clay and wood ash. Chiang Mai has some of the largest and best celadon factories in the country. The best places to purchase celadon are out on Sankamphaeng Road , in the large factory outlets.

Authentic antiques are few in the tourist areas of Chiangmai. As anywhere, the rule is "buyer beware" and if you do get your hands on the genuine article (some shops offer certificates of authenticity) you may have a problem getting it home.

Sa (Mulberry) Paper Products
Chiang Mai is also famous for its Sa paper products a handmade, multi-purpose natural fiber. Sa products that come in different, distinctive designs include cards, notebooks, stationery, boxes, bags, photo frames, lanterns, gift wrapping paper, etc.  

Umbrellas/ Parasols
Located on San Kamphaeng Road, Bor Sang is dubbed as the umbrella village. It is the place where villagers have been engaged in umbrella making based on their local wisdom for over 200 years. All materials, including silk, bamboo, sa paper (mulberry paper), are found locally.

Be amazed at hundreds of hand-painted umbrellas in different designs and sizes, from miniature ones to the super big. Apart from the umbrella, fans and other handmade products of Sa paper are also available in both classic and modern designs.

Gold Plated Orchids & Butterflies
Orchids and butterflies are preserved and plated in 24 carat gold to create unusual gift items such as necklace pendants, hairpins and earrings.

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