Your 7-Point Guide To The Unique Kad Farang Village
Kad Farang Village is a popular destination for locals and visitors to Chaing Mai in northern Thailand. The unique village offers visitors an opportunity to experience a blend of local culture and modern amenities in a peaceful setting. This complete guide gives a comprehensive overview of the area; what to see, eat, and do in and around Kad Farang Village.
Kad Farang Village (Google Maps) is situated in the southern section of Chiang Mai. The boutique lifestyle mall on Chiang Mai (Hang Dong Road) is a stunning mix of contemporary and Lanna styles – with everything visitors and locals could want. It sits in the center of a residential area on a major road and is also on the route between Chiang Mai and other tourist attractions nearby, making it a great place to shop with a convenient parking area.
Strolling through the village, you might think you are in a European mall; with some Thailand on the side. All Western foreigners are called “farang” in Thailand, and “kad” translates roughly to “market.” So, it’s a foreigner’s market. This is partly due to the many Western-type brand stores and outlet stores in the center.
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The Thai people are famous for their markets, and Kad Farang doesn’t disappoint. It also hosts night and weekend markets popular with tourists and locals alike. The center doubles as a shopping center and a place to meet and socialize at the coffee shops and eateries.
Getting To Kad Farang Village
You have several transport options to get to Kad Farang Village that vary in cost, safety, and comfort. They may also involve some negotiating.
The small local bus line (to Chomtong or Doi Tao), is a cheap option, but the nearest bus stop is a 7-minute walk from the village.
Locals use songthaews to get around. A songthaew is a covered pick-up truck with two benches along the sides. Many of these vehicles travel along specific routes, picking up passengers going their way, and some drivers are prepared to hire their songthaew outright.
The songthaews are color-coded, with each color depicting their route. Red vehicles are the most common, and instead of sticking to fixed routes, they drive around the main streets, popular destinations, and bus and train stations. The price of the trip usually takes a little negotiation. Trips should cost between 30 and 60 baht.
Some songthaews will act as a taxi service, allowing you to sit up front and enjoy the AC if it’s on, traveling straight to your destination without picking up anyone else or meandering through the popular routes. It will cost more than a typical ride on the back, though.
Tuk-tuks are quick but are usually more expensive than songthaews, although you can hire some by the hour or at daily rates. Finding late-night transport is difficult, but these nippy little vehicles will be around. They aren’t the safest option, though, as they have no seat belts or doors.
If you don’t mind taking a slow ride to Kad Farang Village, you might have the opportunity to get a ride on a samlor, a three-wheeled bicycle, for a similar price to a tuk-tuk.
Chiang Mai is home to several taxi companies, but they don’t drive up and down the streets looking for passengers. Instead, they wait at the airport, bus stations, and hotels. So keep the phone number of the driver you used from the airport to your hotel, so you can phone him when you need transport. You can also use Grab Taxi to get around, a mobile app similar to Uber.
If you prefer to drive yourself around, you can also hire scooters, motorcycles, bicycles, and rental cars. Renting a scooter or motorcycle is a cheap option, but you should be a confident driver as Chiang Mai has chaotic traffic. Thailand also has the second-highest road fatality rate in the world.
The center is divided into five zones:
- Dining
- Kids and Edutainment
- Health and Beauty
- Services etc.
- KAD Welcome, which is the food center
When driving from Chiang Mai city center toward Hang Dong, you will pass Kad Farang Village. You can’t miss the McDonald’s building. A bit further behind McDonald’s, you will find KAD Welcome, a food zone with numerous fast-food restaurants.
The center of the village consists of more restaurants, services, and outlet shops for big brands, where you can meander along the covered walkways and shady trees.
On the far side of the village, Rimping Supermarket supplies the local community with groceries on the ground floor. On the next level, you will find kids’ entertainment and academic and sports institutions. If you’re feeling energetic while you’re there, you have two gyms to visit.
The Village Offers Markets And Shopping
During the week, Kad Farang Village is a quiet shopping area, so if you detest crowds, this is the place to go. Long queues won’t be a problem, and you can do all your business here.
We can’t always buy street food or takeaways, as convenient as that might be. Sometimes you have to make your own food. Rimping Supermarket is a large grocery store in Kad Farang Village that caters to those seeking international and local brands. Store hours are 8 AM – 9 PM. Rimping offers everything from health and beauty items to fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, and more.
The mall has a premium outlet center with many of the big brand clothing and shoe stores you would find in any Western shopping center, such as Adidas, Playboy, Hollywood Studio, Nike, and more.
Apart from clothing stores, you will find health and beauty stores like Watsons, First Drug Pharmacy, hair salons, a clinic, and dentists.
Although quiet during the day, Kad Farang Village comes alive for the night markets. The food and clothing stalls are out in full force, and the market buzzes with locals and tourists out looking for a bargain. These usually happen on a Wednesday night and sometimes on Sundays and Mondays. You will also find some souvenirs and handicrafts at the market.
Bargaining Tips When You Go Shopping
It’s important to remember that although haggling is common practice in Thailand, there are certain places where it’s appropriate and others not. Although you don’t want to pay unnecessarily high prices for goods and services, you also don’t want to be that person who fights to the death for the tiniest discount. These tips will help you know when and how to haggle with merchants.
- Have a ballpark figure in mind of what you’re prepared to spend. If you need clarification on the appropriate prices, you can ask your accommodation manager what the general prices are for things like trips, souvenirs, and transport to avoid unrealistic expectations.
- Shop around It will give you a guideline of the average prices for goods.
- Don’t bargain if you’re not going to buy. It’s impolite to go through the haggling rigmarole and not seal the deal when you’re done.
- Don’t look overly keen. It could give the impression that you are willing to pay any price for the item.
- Let the seller suggest the first price. If you open with a price too high, the merchant will happily sell the item to you immediately. If your price is too low, he will not be impressed and may not even bother dealing with you.
- Start negotiating by offering less than you’re prepared to pay. This gives you some wiggle room to increase your offers.
- Buy more for an extra discount. If you’re in a group, combine your purchases as a bulk buy.
- Bargaining should always be lighthearted and friendly. Be polite, don’t lose your temper, or fight to win the bargain because of pride. Enjoy the process, and be fair.
- There are some places where bargaining is not appropriate. Places of accommodation, tourist attractions, and trips have fixed prices. Some types of transportation allow for negotiation, like tuk-tuks and songthaews, but taxis, trains, and buses do not.
- Tourist markets allow for bargaining, but those aimed at locals have fixed prices for everyone. Small family shops, stores in shopping centers, and restaurants consider it bad form to haggle against their fixed prices.
Local Cuisine And Restaurants
Kad Farang Village has numerous Western and Asian restaurants. If you’re a homesick expat, you can enjoy KFC, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Wine Connection, and Pizza Hut, to name a few. One of the most stunning buildings in the village is Starbucks, designed to show off Thai architecture. While the décor may be Thai style, Starbucks still provides all its famous fare to those who can’t live without it.
If Asian food takes your fancy, My Vietnamese Food, Shabu Naki (Japanese), and Yuu Dai Premium Yakiniku (also Japanese) will fill your tank.
The Kad Welcome area is a food court with many vendors selling takeaways of all types, and this is where you’re likely to find the best deals when you’re feeling peckish.
The night market is where you will find every type of Asian food and all the typical Western offerings. If you’re a visitor to Thailand, there are some traditional Thai dishes you must try:
- Pad Thai is a dish made with fried noodles and shrimp or chicken. It’s a staple available at every restaurant, stall, or food truck.
- Panang is popular with many tourists because it is a milder curry than other Thai offerings. It is usually served with shrimp, but there are also vegetarian options.
- Massaman curry is also a mild chicken curry.
- Kao Niew Ma Muang is a traditional Thai dessert made with mango, sticky rice, and condensed milk.
If you’re going out for drinks, you can visit Wine Connection Bistro or pick up some craft beers at ABV Craft Beer opposite Pizza Hut.
Dining Etiquette In Thailand
Most table manners and using proper dining etiquette are similar to most countries, mainly amounting to common sense. Of course, you shouldn’t talk or laugh with a full mouth or point with your utensils. But keep these points in mind about Thai table etiquette:
- The host or most senior person sits at the center of the table.
- If you’re sitting on a bamboo mat, ensure your feet aren’t visible.
- Remember not to order your own meal as a group shares the food always.
- Senior ladies will typically choose the food on the group’s behalf.
- You will get a bowl of white rice. Add one or two spoonfuls onto the rice and refill later.
- Chopsticks are only for noodle dishes – don’t ask for them. People use a spoon in their right hand to eat and a fork in their left to push the food onto the spoon. They don’t eat from the fork.
- Always wait for the most senior person to start eating before you dig in.
- Don’t use your left hand as it is considered dirty, especially when eating food with your hands, as is traditional with sticky rice.
- Don’t pour your own drinks.
Cultural Activities Near Kad Farang Village
Of course, as a tourist in Thailand, you want to experience more than shopping centers, and there are many options in Hang Dong to immerse yourself in Thai culture. These are some activities not to be missed:
- Thai cooking classes at a local organic farm
- Doi Suthep Temple and Sticky Waterfall tour
- Thai Kanthoke Dinner with Cultural Dance Show
- Grand Canyon Chiang Mai Water Park
- Thai Silk Class experience where you will learn about tie-dyed silk, silk thread spinning, and cross weaving and make your own souvenirs
- Visit an elephant sanctuary like Lanna Kingdom Sanctuary or Maerim Elephant Sanctuary.
- See as many of the beautiful Buddhist temples as possible
Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general, is bursting at the seams with incredible activities for visitors to enjoy. While we can’t list them all, you will soon hear about the best places to see on arrival.
Useful Visitor Information
Before you head to Thailand and Chiang Mai, here are some pearls of wisdom:
- Pack light, as it gets really warm there. Chaing Mai has a tropical savanna climate. Between March and May, temperatures often hit 40°C (104°F).
- The currency used is the Thai Baht.
- Carry tissues because public toilets may not always provide toilet paper.
- Don’t drink tap water.
- The Royal Family and monks are highly respected.
- You need special outfits to enter temples.
- You will sometimes have to remove your shoes, e.g., in temples.
- Always keep bug spray with you.
Summary
Kad Farang Village is a great outing if you’re in the mood for a quiet day of shopping during the week. Buying big brands at outlet prices always makes us feel quite smug and pleased with ourselves! Night markets are great fun, and Kad Farang’s one is no different. Take some time from your busy tourist schedule to shop in a relaxing atmosphere here.
FAQ
Kad Farang Village is a modern lifestyle mall and residential area located in Hang Dong, just outside of Chiang Mai city. It’s a newer development, catering to both local residents and tourists.
Generally, most shops and restaurants in Kad Farang Village open around 10:00 AM and close around 10:00 PM. However, hours can vary by business, so it’s best to check directly with a specific place if you plan to visit outside of these hours.
Kad Farang Village houses a range of shops and restaurants, offering a mix of Thai and international cuisine. Rimping Supermarket in Kad Farang is particularly popular for its wide range of local and imported goods.
While Kad Farang Village offers a range of international options, don’t miss trying the local Northern Thai dishes such as Khao Soi (curried noodle soup) or Sai Ua (Northern Thai sausage).
Are there any special events or festivals that take place in Kad Farang Village throughout the year?
Kad Farang Village occasionally hosts events and festivals, particularly around Thai holidays. It’s best to check their official website or social media pages for up-to-date information.
Kad Farang Village is easily accessible by car or taxi from central Chiang Mai. The drive takes approximately 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.
Kad Farang Village is more known for its modern shops and restaurants rather than traditional crafts. However, the nearby Baan Tawai Village is famous for wood carving and other handicrafts.
While Kad Farang itself is more of a modern development, it’s close to the historic city of Chiang Mai, which has numerous cultural and historical landmarks.
The primary language spoken in Kad Farang Village is Thai. However, English is commonly spoken in shops and restaurants catering to tourists.
While Kad Farang Village itself is primarily a shopping and dining area, there are various accommodation options in the surrounding Hang Dong area ranging from guest houses to luxury resorts.
The customs in Kad Farang Village are similar to the rest of Thailand. It’s important to be respectful of Thai culture, which includes not pointing your feet at people or religious images, and dressing modestly, particularly when visiting temples.
Kad Farang Village is generally safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas. Always keep your belongings secure and avoid displaying expensive items in public. It’s also a good idea to have a copy of important documents like passports, and keep emergency contact numbers handy.
Discover a variety of pricing options for renting automatic scooters, maxi-scooters, semi-automatic motorbikes, and manual-gear motorcycles in Chiang Mai by browsing our Bike Rental Rates page. Find out more about our scooter rental in Chiang Mai.
If you prefer to travel by car, be sure to read our guide on how to save up to 50% on rental car expenses in Chiang Mai.
For an extensive compilation of our travel advice, explore our Northern Thailand Routes and Travel Notes section.
If you encounter any inaccuracies in the text or have valuable information to share with our readers, please feel free to contact us.
Cat Motors Team
- Author: Cat Motors Team
- Posted:
- Updated: January 25, 2024
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