Ban Tawai Section of Populated Place

Address: Ban Tawai, Hang Dong district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Hours: Shops and workshops typically 09:00-18:00

Admission: Free to enter village areas; workshops and galleries charge for purchases

Ban Tawai is a well-known handicraft village in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, recognised for its concentration of woodcarvers, furniture makers and artisans. It functions as a major centre for the region’s commercial craft production.

The modern craft village developed in the later 20th century as artisans and traders consolidated production and retail in one locality, becoming a major destination for buyers of Thai woodworking and handicrafts.

Located south of Chiang Mai city in Hang Dong district, Ban Tawai is reachable by road and often visited on day trips from Chiang Mai.

• Craft workshops and shopping: Workshops and galleries are clustered along the village streets, where visitors can see woodcarving and furniture production firsthand and purchase finished pieces.

Ban Tawai was once an ordinary rice-planting village until a few residents began carving wood during the quiet stretches of the planting cycle and found they could sell their work for a handsome profit. Now almost every resident works exclusively on woodcarvings, and the village is packed with shops selling everything from small Buddha images to life-size elephants.

Many shops deal only with wholesalers, but plenty sell retail, and you won’t find a broader selection anywhere; most can also help arrange shipping if you go for something large. Even if you aren’t after souvenirs, a stroll here makes a fun half-day trip from Chiang Mai, as most workshops let you watch the carvers at work, and there are several cafés for a break.

Ban Tawai is about 20-30 minutes by car south of Chiang Mai city center on Route 108. Songthaews and tuk-tuks can be hired from Chiang Mai; driving yourself along the main highway is straightforward.

• Visit the carving workshops in the morning when artisans are at work-prime time for seeing woodcarving and furniture creation.
• Walk the side streets away from the main tourist strip to find more authentic craft stores and fewer imports.
• If shopping for furniture, expect to arrange transport; many sellers can help with shipping arrangements.