What You Can Buy at Pai’s Walking Street: Thailand’s Most Unique Night Market
Every night between 6 PM and 10, the streets in the center of Pai are shut down for car traffic so that dozens and dozens of street food vendors can set up shop. Here you’ll find authentic Thai curries for sale next to vegan Buddha Bowls, funky burritos, freshly baked brownies, and all types of international cuisine ranging from Mexican to Indian.
📍Location: The Walking Street extends through the two main roads, Rangsiyanon Rd and Chai Songkhram Rd in the center of Pai. It extends on for around 1 KM in either direction. You’ll easily see where Pai’s Walking Street starts and stops because there are white paper lanterns hung along the route. ⏰ Hours: 6 PM – 10 PM every day
It’s Not “Authentic” – But Most People Don’t Mind
One of the main critiques of the Pai Walking Street is that it’s not an authentic cultural experience, because it caters mainly to tourists. And to that point, I would have to agree. That being said, I’ve visited all types of markets all over the world, and while the Pai Walking Street might not be a quality example of a traditional Thai Night Market, it is overall just a great place to get street food – As well as being the #1 best cheap-eats spot in Pai!
11 Things You Can Buy at Pai’s Walking Street
1. Fresh Dumplings & Buns
One of my favorite snacks from the night bazaar are the stalls that sell freshly steamed and fried dumplings and gyozas. You can choose a mix and match your order between shrimp, octopus, veggie, chicken, and pork dumplings, and they’re all super tasty.
2. Edible Bugs
Thailand Night Markets are known for having all types of edible bugs like grubs and crickets, and Pai Walking Street is no exception! The fried worms are sold right alongside BBQ squid on a stick, which I can say from experience is very tasty.
3. International Cuisine
There are all types of food stalls on the Walking Street, not just Thai cuisine. You can find multiple Mexican, Indian, Western, Arabic, etc to pick and choose from.
4. Locally Grown Strawberries
One of my favorite things to buy in Pai is the locally-grown strawberries. Seriously, they’re some of the best I’ve ever had. There are half a dozen stalls along Pai’s Walking Street that sell the local berries, either cut up with sugar for snacking, or in bulk.
🍓Love Strawberries? There’s a strawberry-themed viewpoint in town called “Love Strawberry Pai” where you can tour a farm and buy all types of strawberry products.
5. Pai-Style Hippie Clothes
There’s a very distinct style in Pai – It’s whimsical, very hippie, but also equipped for the cold nights. Lots of tye-dye and intricate colorful woven ponchos. I bought a 100% cotton skirt from one of the vendors on the walking street. After visiting so many artisan markets that are only re-selling mass-produced items bought through Shein, the Pai Walking Street had some welcome designs!
6. W E E D
W e e. d. and other soft drugs are decriminalized in Thailand and readily available in Pai. It’s funny to be walking through the Night Bazaar and see giant stalls with dozens of different strains of pot, all types of flavors, strengths, and strains. When I was younger, pot used to be something you could go to jail for, and now they sell it openly next to street food stall vendors hawking dumplings 🤷♀️.
7. Authentic Thai Food
Right outside the 7-11 in the middle of Walking Street is a stall that both locals and foreigners line up for. Every night small tables are set up for diners because this stall sells all types of Thai Curries and soups. I would say that while the Pai Walking Street isn’t that authentic overall, a lot of the food is done to the taste of foreign tourists, this stall is the most like a traditional Thai Nightmarket that you might find in cities like Bangkok.
8. Fresh-Baked Goods
You can buy all types of fresh baked goods at the Night Bazaar, including specialty items like vegan and gluten-free. Towards the end of the market on Rangsiyanon Rd, there’s a large bakery stall that sells cakes and cookies for snacking as well as whole loaves of fresh-made bread.
9. Buddha Bowls
There’s a gorgeous pop-up stall at the Walking Street that sells intricate Buddha Bowls and is my favorite to stop by for a meal. Just make sure you’re hungry because they’re huge!
10. Sushi!
There’s a stall in the night bazaar that sells 5-baht sushi pieces of all types. If anyone reading this has been brave enough to try these, I’d love to hear about it.
11. Hand-Made Leather Items, Crafts & Jewelry
If you’re looking for accessory souvenirs from Pai, the night market is one of the best places for shopping for all sorts of handmade knick-knacks. From crystal necklaces, leather purses, wallets, etc – It’s all hand-made by legitimate local artisans, so your money goes to a good place.
