Rating: 4.2/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Generally late morning – early evening (hours may vary by season and harvest cycles)

 

Ban Huai Luek Roadside Produce Market in Ping Khong Subdistrict, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai is a small roadside stop that many travelers instinctively slow down for when driving past. Fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, and local everyday goods are laid out in a simple, no-frills way. The charm here isn’t size or spectacle—it’s the “realness” of produce that comes directly from the hands of local growers and makers, especially items brought out by villagers and, in part, produce networks tied to highland development efforts, offered to passers-by in a straightforward, honest way.

 

What you’ll commonly see are seasonal produce stands—fresh herbs and vegetables grown in higher elevations with a crisp aroma and clear flavor, fruits that change month by month, and flowers for anyone who loves arranging at home. Some days you’ll also find simple local processed foods that make easy, thoughtful little gifts to pick up along the way. The beauty of a roadside market like this is that you don’t even have to plan for it. But after a short chat or two, you begin to understand where each item comes from, what the season is bringing up from the hills, and how buying just one bag truly becomes income flowing back into the seller’s household.

 

From a travel perspective, Ban Huai Luek Roadside Produce Market works like a “pause point” before you head deeper into Chiang Dao, or as a pleasant stop on the Chiang Mai–Fang route that many people use when traveling north. You get fresh ingredients to continue your trip, small souvenirs that don’t feel like convenience-store copies, and most importantly, a simple way to support the local community economy—no complicated effort required, just buying what you’ll actually use and giving credit to the care behind it.

 

If you want to make the stop worthwhile, look for what’s truly “in season.” Seasonal produce is usually better in both value and quality—especially highland fruits and vegetables that have their own best-tasting rhythm. Another lovable part of roadside markets is the friendly, informal atmosphere, but it’s still best to shop with respect: avoid squeezing fresh produce too hard, ask prices before picking up a lot, and if you want photos, a quick polite request helps keep the space comfortable for everyone.

 

Getting There From Chiang Mai city, take Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang) northbound to around kilometer marker 95. Travel time from Chiang Mai is typically about 1.5 hours. From there, watch for roadside stalls in the Ping Khong / Ban Huai Luek area (drive carefully and park only where it does not obstruct traffic).

 

If you have extra time, this roadside stop can easily extend into a Chiang Dao day trip or an overnight stay. The surrounding area also offers many nature spots and peaceful temples. The simplest plan is: “stop for produce → visit a cave/temple → coffee or a well-known pork leg shop in town → check in to your accommodation.” It’s an unhurried route that gives you food, small gifts, and the feeling that you’ve experienced Chiang Dao closer to real community life.

 

 

A: Mostly seasonal vegetables, fruits, flowers, and local products/processed goods from nearby communities and highland produce networks.

 

A: Generally late morning to before early afternoon is easiest for browsing and often has fresher, fuller selections, but how busy it is depends on season and harvest cycles.

 

A: Take Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang) northbound to around kilometer marker 95 (about 1.5 hours). Then look for roadside stalls in the Ping Khong / Ban Huai Luek area.

 

A: You can contact the Huai Luek Royal Project Development Center at 053-293-564 or 089-955-9074.