Warorot Market, Marketplace in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Warorot Market, also known as Kad Luang meaning 'Big Market,' is a covered, multi-floor marketplace in the Chinatown district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It spans three floors of narrow aisles lined with stalls selling fresh produce, spices, dried goods, meat, seafood, flowers, clothing, and souvenirs.
The market was founded in the early 20th century under the patronage of Queen Dararasmi, a princess from Chiang Mai who had married King Rama V of Siam. Her role in establishing it helped cement this spot as a central trading place for the city.
The market sits in Chiang Mai's Chinatown district and draws Thai, Chinese, and Hmong hill tribe vendors who sell handmade textiles and jewelry alongside everyday goods. This mix of sellers gives the place a wider range of goods and faces than a typical city market.
The market is open daily from early morning until late evening, with the busiest times being the morning and the late afternoon. Arriving early in the morning or in the early afternoon gives more room to walk through the aisles.
The name Warorot comes from a Thai word meaning 'excellent gift,' a name tied directly to Queen Dararasmi, the woman behind the market's founding. A small shrine area dedicated to her sits on the ground floor of the building and is often overlooked by visitors passing through.
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