Rating: 5/5 (1 votes)

Open Days: Generally Saturday–Sunday on the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month (some rounds may change depending on activities/season; please check the organizer’s latest announcement before you go)

Opening Hours: Generally 08:00 – 14:00 (some periods may have special sessions and adjusted hours)

 

Kasean Market (Chiang Mai) is a warm and quietly powerful snapshot of Chiang Mai in a time when an “aging society” doesn’t have to mean slowing down and stepping aside. Instead, it can mean creating space for older adults to use their skills, lived experience, and determination to generate real value for themselves and the community. The market is hosted at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center (Old Chiang Mai) on Wua Lai Road, which turns a simple shopping trip into a chance to “walk through stories” told by people who have been through a lot, and still choose to begin something new with grace.

 

The project is driven by the idea of empowering older adults to stay active and meaningfully participate in the local economy. What happens here is not charity rooted in pity; it is an intentional act of “making room” for seniors to show their capabilities, earn income, build confidence, and reconnect generations. You can feel that value in the products they make, the conversations they share, and the small pride tucked into the details of each item.

 

Inside Kasean Market, you’ll find a wide range of goods made with care and crafted through experience: traditional handicrafts reflecting local wisdom, basketry, handwoven textiles, pottery and other crafts, plus classic foods and heritage snacks that are increasingly hard to find. Many recipes carry a distinctly “home-style” flavor because they come with techniques and timing refined over decades. You’ll also see health-oriented and natural products that older makers are great at producing—and explaining—from herbs, balms, and essential oils to simple, thoughtful skincare made from natural ingredients.

 

Another charm is the atmosphere—relaxed, but full of life. The market often includes live music and small performances that bring gentle energy to the space. There are also hands-on workshops where you can learn crafts or traditional sweets directly from senior experts. It feels different from a classroom, because you get practical techniques alongside personal stories. Some rounds also feature talks or sharing sessions that pass on inspiration about starting again after retirement, for people of every age.

 

From a travel perspective, Kasean Market is like a “rest stop for the eyes and the heart” in Chiang Mai. It reminds you that this city is more than trendy cafés and headline attractions—it also has creative community spaces that help society feel more balanced. The market acts as a bridge between seniors and younger generations, opening a natural exchange of knowledge and experience, while supporting local products that become real income flowing back into households and the wider community.

 

Getting There If you’re staying in Chiang Mai city, reaching Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center on Wua Lai Road is quite convenient. By car, you can come via the Chiang Mai Gate area and head straight onto Wua Lai Road. Ride-hailing apps or local taxis are also an easy choice—just set the destination as Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center. If you like walking, you can plan Kasean Market as part of a one-day route around Chiang Mai Gate and Wua Lai, then continue to nearby temples or the Old City afterward.

 

If you’re wondering how to make the visit most worthwhile, morning is a great time to go. The weather is cooler, it’s comfortable to stroll, and you’ll have more time to chat with senior vendors without rushing. Many food stalls also have fuller selections earlier in the day. Later hours can be nice for browsing and picking up small souvenirs, but if you have your eye on popular snacks, arriving before noon is the safer bet.

 

In the end, Kasean Market isn’t just a weekend market—it’s a place where you can clearly see the “energy of life after retirement.” It shows that getting older doesn’t mean stepping back, and that travel can also be a way to learn about society as you go. If you want a Chiang Mai experience that feels more meaningful than another quick check-in photo, this is a destination worth adding to your list.

 

 

A: The most common format is Sat–Sun on the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month. Some periods may include special rounds or adjusted times, so it’s best to check the latest announcement before you go.

 

A: It is hosted at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center (Old Chiang Mai) on Wua Lai Road, Hai Ya Subdistrict, near Chiang Mai Gate.

 

A: Morning is recommended. The weather is cooler, walking is more comfortable, and many food/snack stalls tend to have fuller selections earlier.

 

A: Highlights include heritage foods and traditional snacks, handmade crafts, and natural health products made with the experience of senior makers.

 

A: You can contact Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center at 095-145-0296 to ask about venue details and readiness on your planned visit day.