Baan Tawai Village
Baan Tawai Village
4
Speciality & Gift ShopsPoints of Interest & LandmarksAntique Shops
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Just about an hour outside of Chiang Mai, in Hangdong District, is Baan Tawai village, a community known for its wood sculptures. Visitors can take a look around at markets and interact with wood carvers. Crafts are available for purchase.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
429 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
156
Average
57
Poor
18
Terrible
4
GvaTourist
Bangkok, Thailand149 contributions
Feb 2020
I really love to walk along the road surround the village. There are many shops that sell products, range from big wooden furniture to stylistic wooden vase and crafts. If you are the one who love decorating your home, you will love this place. I visit this place many times but still love to be there if I have time. Reasonable price. Some products are the same as the ones you find in the night market of CM but I like to buy directly from the producers. It may be a bit in-convenient to travel there if you don't have a car.
Written 30 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ขอบคุณที่มาเยือนครับ กับหมู่บ้านหัตถศิลป์ บ้านถวาย
ซึ่งตอนนี้หลายคนอาจจะไม่ทราบว่ามีรถประจำทาง จากตัวเมืองเชียงใหม่มาที่นี่ด้วย BTTS BAANTAWAI บริการทุกวัน TEL 0818824882
Written 31 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Henry901
London340 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
I very nearly didn’t visit based on the negative reviews but I’m so glad we did. We drove there in our hire car, about a half hour drive from Chiang Mai old town.
The Main Street is covered to some extent. Park your car on the water way side away from the shops. There is also a larger area about halfway down in the middle. Loads of individual stalls with roads leading off the main road we were probably there 3 hours in total and could have spent longer if we’d had a drink and a snack.
Some of the places sold furniture, some ornately decorated pieces, others more naturally finished items. We found a couple of bits to buy and could easily have spent a lot of money in some of the fine works.
Whilst in one of the stalls “Baan Tipmanee” they mentioned they have a larger factory store just outside the village. As you leave it’s on the left hand side. My goodness me. Part museum, part shop this place will blow your mind. Some of the larger fine works were astounding. They took their creator years to complete. The difference between master carver works and trainee carvers was clear to see.
There were literally thousands of items for sale spread out over a dozen or so different areas. In my humble opinion definitely worth a visit.
The Main Street is covered to some extent. Park your car on the water way side away from the shops. There is also a larger area about halfway down in the middle. Loads of individual stalls with roads leading off the main road we were probably there 3 hours in total and could have spent longer if we’d had a drink and a snack.
Some of the places sold furniture, some ornately decorated pieces, others more naturally finished items. We found a couple of bits to buy and could easily have spent a lot of money in some of the fine works.
Whilst in one of the stalls “Baan Tipmanee” they mentioned they have a larger factory store just outside the village. As you leave it’s on the left hand side. My goodness me. Part museum, part shop this place will blow your mind. Some of the larger fine works were astounding. They took their creator years to complete. The difference between master carver works and trainee carvers was clear to see.
There were literally thousands of items for sale spread out over a dozen or so different areas. In my humble opinion definitely worth a visit.
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabelle G
Silver Spring, MD70 contributions
Dec 2022
we really wanted to do this tour and meet the artists! but unfortunately no one showed up to take us for the tour. the hotel tried to help and contacted the tour operator but no luck.. so disappointed ! we were able to get reimbursed..but were not able to do the tour because we had to leave Chiang mai the evening..
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul_CNX
Chiang Mai, Thailand363 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Instad of paying the inflated prices of the vendors in the street markets in the centre of Chiang Mai, take a Tuk-Tuk or taxi out to Baan Tawai, near to Hang Dong, about 15Kms from the centre of Chiang Mai.
Here, the handicrafts are made, and available to purchase at wholesale prices directly from the factory outlets.
Open 7 days a week, but it closes before 5pm.
There is a lovely little cafe serving very inexpensive Thai food right in the centre of the handicraft village, on the first floor, called Pankled Coffee House.
Here, the handicrafts are made, and available to purchase at wholesale prices directly from the factory outlets.
Open 7 days a week, but it closes before 5pm.
There is a lovely little cafe serving very inexpensive Thai food right in the centre of the handicraft village, on the first floor, called Pankled Coffee House.
Written 13 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Flying Scotsman
Chiang Mai, Thailand64 contributions
Mar 2012 • Friends
Baan Tawai artisans village is well worth spending a half day, or longer, to look around - the variety of furniture, soft furnishings, 'antiques', decorations, toys, collectibles, souvenirs and memorabilia is, seemingly, never-ending. Most of what tourists see at The Night Bazaar comes from Baan Tawai and can be bought for significantly less, subject to haggling ability.
We live in Northern Thailand so have visited here many times - completely furnishing a house with solid teak furniture on one occasion!
There are just so many things you might be tempted to buy, restricted only by what you can carry on board a plane. Even that need not restrict your buying (and spending) fever - there are many shipping agents around who will happily take care of the uplifting, packaging, freighting, shipping and delivery to your home for often surprisingly reasonable charges!
There are several 'zones' spread over a very wide area and how much of it all you want to see depends on how energetic you are. However, the main area is sufficient for most and the 'shops' and walkways are mostly covered to protect against the sun and rain. Always remember, at least for the furniture, if you don't see it - they will make it to order from a sketch or photo.
A five hundred year old Chinese cabinet? No problem!
There are also one or two good, inexpensive eateries around - we can recommend the upstairs restaurant that is plainly visible in the centre. For great coffee and homebaking, however, go accross the main road from the restaurant and follow the first alleyway to the right. Eventually you'll find the delightful cafe run by a young couple whose cakes are fantastic (banoffee pie is a personal favourite) and they also serve freshly cooked meals from a small menu which are also very good.
http://www.ban-tawai.com/
We live in Northern Thailand so have visited here many times - completely furnishing a house with solid teak furniture on one occasion!
There are just so many things you might be tempted to buy, restricted only by what you can carry on board a plane. Even that need not restrict your buying (and spending) fever - there are many shipping agents around who will happily take care of the uplifting, packaging, freighting, shipping and delivery to your home for often surprisingly reasonable charges!
There are several 'zones' spread over a very wide area and how much of it all you want to see depends on how energetic you are. However, the main area is sufficient for most and the 'shops' and walkways are mostly covered to protect against the sun and rain. Always remember, at least for the furniture, if you don't see it - they will make it to order from a sketch or photo.
A five hundred year old Chinese cabinet? No problem!
There are also one or two good, inexpensive eateries around - we can recommend the upstairs restaurant that is plainly visible in the centre. For great coffee and homebaking, however, go accross the main road from the restaurant and follow the first alleyway to the right. Eventually you'll find the delightful cafe run by a young couple whose cakes are fantastic (banoffee pie is a personal favourite) and they also serve freshly cooked meals from a small menu which are also very good.
http://www.ban-tawai.com/
Written 30 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki G
Chicago, IL45 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
We bought some incredible carvings (Buddha,coffee table, and large wall carving) from Baan Tawai Village and decided to ship them home to the US. We were told that we could send everything to the United States in a 1 meter shipping container and use one of the local shipping companies. We used TYL and from the get - go the process was very challenging. We had to send them several follow-up emails and calls to get the status of our shipment (and one piece was almost left off). Truly the worst part was how much it all cost…we were told approximately $400 USD to have it delivered to the US. nearly 5 months later our stuff arrived and were had to pay an additional $1200+ dollars to a local agent! Though it was very worth it, we were stunned by the price and feel like it was a bait-and-switch. Be sure to triple the quote if you send anything back to the US (and be very, very patient).
Written 31 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob B
Queensland, Australia143 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
Unfortunately, this place has become commercialised and over-priced. Whilst we were not looking at large furniture items, we did walk amongst most of the small 'shops' in the heart of the village - well away from the main road 'tourist traps'. Disappointed to find it was all, except for a few rare ones, so much like many street markets - some good stuff (not much) and a lot of over-priced mass produced stuff I could get cheaper in Old City markets. And there were no 'western' toilets and not much in the way of food/drink places. Several of the Sois had street coverings so the shade was welcome - but that was about the only real positive about the place.
However, we had heard about Kad-Sala wood shops which is about 5-10 minutes away - and it did not dissappoint - see seperate review.
However, we had heard about Kad-Sala wood shops which is about 5-10 minutes away - and it did not dissappoint - see seperate review.
Written 28 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spopey15
Sydney, Australia2,873 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
We had a look around Baan Tawai village after a day out at Doi Inthanon National Park, to the south-west of Chiang Mai. I think our expectations were misguided, because we were slightly disappointed. Maybe it was naive, but we were hoping for small shops selling a range of handmade goods in a village that had grown around an industry of the woodworking art.
We found instead a touristy town of undercover markets, each selling the kind of mass-produced small items - elephants, back-scratchers, cloth bags etc - that you can find anywhere in Thailand. There were many of these under-cover areas, and I think you can find better products, but outside these markets.
If you have the time to wander a bit, there are more individual shops and we did see some lovely larger pieces. We would have loved to buy a set of the little chairs and table that you find in many Thai cafes but decided the shipping cost would be too much. Maybe next time... If you know what you are looking for in furniture, and have researched whether the timber goods would last in your climate back home, it is probably well worth a visit, but not for the vast number of small, touristy souvenirs that you will find here as well.
We found instead a touristy town of undercover markets, each selling the kind of mass-produced small items - elephants, back-scratchers, cloth bags etc - that you can find anywhere in Thailand. There were many of these under-cover areas, and I think you can find better products, but outside these markets.
If you have the time to wander a bit, there are more individual shops and we did see some lovely larger pieces. We would have loved to buy a set of the little chairs and table that you find in many Thai cafes but decided the shipping cost would be too much. Maybe next time... If you know what you are looking for in furniture, and have researched whether the timber goods would last in your climate back home, it is probably well worth a visit, but not for the vast number of small, touristy souvenirs that you will find here as well.
Written 8 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EverythingElse2010
Melbourne70 contributions
Jul 2012
I often travel through Baan Tawai (it's near my home). This is a major shopping strip for Thai 'antiques' and furniture. Quite expensive, the many, many, many shops cater to the - I guess - traveller who wants some authentic Thai furniture or 'art-house' piece and is prepared to pay for shipping. I have bought from there and haven't been disappointed, but pricey, and, look around. There are other options.
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnackyBitsandCuppas
Chiang Mai, Thailand300 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
We took the van from the Terminal 1 (Chang Puak) bus station, north of Old Town in Chiang Mai. The modern van leaves on a frequent regular schedule to and from Baan Tawai for 30 baht each way. See the schedule below. Baan Tawai is the last official stop, the driver will drop you off at the central area and it takes about one hour to get there. While it is nice to go early to some places, at just before noon on a weekday, some of the shops were not open. A day trip here may be more for those who have a longer time in Chiang Mai, or for those who are looking to buy either a large quantity of items, or large furniture items for here, or shipping abroad.
Written 12 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelc20122018
Puerto Rico
Hi, angelc20122018. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Written 9 April 2018
Hi. My 23 yr old daughter passed 5 months ago and after a lot of thought about what we want for her head stone I have decided there would be nothing more beautiful than a life size wooden sculpture of her at the head of her grave. There are limitations on size and it is not allowed to be more than 1 metre high. But thats ok because I thought it would be really nice if it was of her just casually sitting on the ground. I have sat in the space allocated and life size will fit. Is there anyone who can do this ? And how long would wood last out doors? Any contact email addresses you can give me would be much appreciated. Thank you . Julie Collings
Written 3 March 2018
Hi Marion, what is BBTS? Thank you.
Written 11 October 2017
I think that reader is referring to the cost for riding the baht bus. This is a covered pickup truck with seats-benches in the back for up to 8 people. The 30 baht price is only for LOCAL travel. If you go to Ban Tawai from Chiang Mai, you'll need to negotiate a price for your group BEFORE you go; often 120 - 150 BT each person for the day. The driver will wait on you while you shop and lunch etc.
$1 USD is 33 Thai Baht or TB. Hope this helps
Written 11 October 2017
Hi there! I'm looking into buying a wooden ladle and mug as well as spoons. Can I find it in the village? Thanks a lot.
Written 5 January 2017
Absolutely and you will really enjoy the experience. Do walk around for the best pieces and deals
Written 23 January 2017
Can you tell me has the wood used in the carvings been dried first. I would love to purchase carvings but need to know if the wood will warp in a non tropical country.
Written 29 May 2016
Yes agree Blackhear nothing has ever warped and I am in Sydney
Written 19 June 2016
Hello you know an address where they can make custom wood with wood tools.Ik seeking woodworker
Please return a message
mvg Lud Cremers Udonthani
Written 13 July 2015
There are so many woodworkers at Baan Tawai. We had a special staff carved for the head monk of my wife's village temple at one place.
It depends on what type of woodwork you want - the craftsmen tend to specialise, for example, in making furniture or elephant carving or buddha statuettes etc.
I am going to Baan Tawai on Thursday or Friday to collect a teak table we had made. If you gave me a little more information I could find a woodworking shop to suit.
But if you were to go there yourself you would see the huge range and choice of different woodworking workshops.
Regards
Richard
Written 13 July 2015
Is there a good or ok guest house or hotel near Baan Tawai Village?
Written 5 February 2015
amcorp9988
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Do they sell wooden elephants? And arrange for shipping? Size of elephants about 2.5 feet long and 2 feet high. Estimate prices for normal wood?
Written 18 January 2015
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