The Ultimate Guide to Fabric Shopping in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Hello and welcome! I recently had the chance to travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand, for my brother-in-law's wedding, and it was an unforgettable experience. The trip was all about spending quality time with family while soaking in the vibrant culture, exploring bustling markets, savoring delicious food, and marveling at the region's natural beauty. One memorable day, after visiting the incredible Sticky Waterfalls, my other brother-in-law—who had previously lived in Chiang Mai—suggested we check out the Warorot Markets (ตลาดวโรรส). He described them as one of his favorite spots, just a short 15-minute walk from where we were staying.
I arrived at the market ahead of him and began exploring, expecting to find just a couple of shops selling traditional Thai fabrics. Boy, was I wrong. The market was massive, sprawling across multiple streets, with a maze of shops waiting to be discovered. As I wandered through, I stumbled upon incredible fabrics at unbelievable prices—just $1 USD per meter for high-quality fabric. Yes, you read that right! I was so thrilled that I ended up visiting the market three more times and bringing back an entire suitcase filled with fabric treasures.
Since I couldn’t find much information about these fabric stores online, I decided to create this guide for fellow sewists who might be planning a trip to Chiang Mai. This list includes the stores I could identify either through their Google listing or from receipts with the store name. Unfortunately, there were two shops I absolutely loved but couldn’t find any names for. If I visit again, I know I’d have no trouble finding them, but for now, I don’t have exact details to share. That said, even if sewing isn’t your thing, the Warorot Markets have something for everyone—you can find everything here. So without further ado, here’s my list of favorite stores, along with my personal notes!
ร้านผ้านิรันดร์ Niran Fabric ผ้าปลีก-ส่ง เชียงใหม่
This was the first store I visited, and it came highly recommended on Google for its vibrant colors and beautiful prints. It’s the largest shop on my recommendation list, but also one of the busiest. The staff here are helpful, though they do tend to linger a bit more than in other stores I visited. Their prices were very reasonable for linen/cotton blends and rayon/viscose fabrics. The pure linen prints were absolutely stunning—easily some of the best I saw—but they were also the most expensive at 350 baht per meter (about $10 USD).
I couldn’t resist purchasing one of the pure linen prints, along with a handful of viscose fabrics priced at just 99 baht per meter ($2.92). The shop also had an impressive selection of Japanese fabrics, plaids, and colored linen. While I didn’t end up buying any of those, the plaids stood out for their gorgeous colors—although they felt a bit stiff. I’m sure they’d soften beautifully after washing, but I didn’t have the time to consider that while I was there.
ร้านรินลญา Rinlaya woven fabric shop
This was hands down my favorite store to shop in. When I first approached it, I was so confused—I almost walked right past it because it looked like an apparel shop from the front. But something made me double back, and I’m so glad I did! Once inside, I discovered the fabric section tucked away. The store is quite narrow (like many in Warorot), but don’t let its size fool you—it’s absolutely packed with treasures.
This shop specializes in woven fabrics, and the quality is unbelievable for the price. Think Blackbird Fabrics or Merchant and Mills quality, but at a fraction of the cost. Most fabrics are just 130 baht ($3.84 USD), and the “expensive” ones are only 160 baht ($4.73 USD). I also loved the shopping experience here—there was no pressure as I browsed, and the staff waited until I was ready to ask for help. You can either buy fabric off the bolt or choose from the pre-cut pieces on the shelves. Even with pre-cuts, you can specify how much you need, and if they don’t have it out front, they’ll disappear into the back to get it for you.
They’re very organized, too. The staff use tape to label your purchases with the style number and amount, which makes reordering a breeze. They even have an Instagram presence, so you can check out their offerings online. I especially appreciated the ready-made clothes at the front of the store—it made it so much easier to visualize how the fabrics might look when sewn up. They also had a beautiful selection of patchworked items, which made me feel like a kid in a candy store!
Once you’re done picking out your fabrics, they’ll tally everything up, and you pay in cash (like all the stores here, cash is a must). They’ll pack your purchases neatly and give you a receipt for reference. I noticed that a lot of local businesses and fashion designers shop here, which speaks to the quality of their fabrics.
If you’re short on time, this is the one store I’d recommend above all others. However, if you’re looking for bold colors and prints, this might not be the shop for you—it’s more about timeless, understated elegance.
ร้านขายผ้าเมือง ใกล้ฉัน (แพรพันวา)
This store is tiny—so small that I was genuinely worried I might accidentally knock over some bolts of fabric while squeezing my way through. But trust me, it’s worth it! The main guy who runs the shop (and speaks English) is absolutely fantastic. He’s also quite the charmer—several women stopped by just to flirt with him, which was both adorable and entertaining to watch.
The fabrics here are all printed on the same substrate: a heavyweight cotton. Think Marimekko-inspired designs and other bold, eye-catching prints. The best part? The prices are unbeatable—just 39 baht per meter ($1.15 USD). I took my time browsing, and the staff didn’t seem to mind at all. They were busy packing up large bolts as I shopped, giving me all the time I needed to make my selections.
When I was ready to check out, they complimented my tattoos and asked where I was from, making the whole experience feel warm and personal. Out of all the stores I visited, this one had the friendliest vibe, and the staff were more than happy to chat. I left with 27 meters of fabric for just 1,053 baht (about $30 USD). Mind = blown.
If you’re a lover of bold prints and mid-weight cotton, this shop is a must-visit. It’s small but packed with treasures, and the prices are almost too good to be true. Highly recommended!
New Ramchand นิวรามจันทร์
I stumbled upon this store during my final trip to the market, tucked away on a street I had completely overlooked. It was lined with gorgeous fabric shops, and this one stood out for its impressive collection of block prints and batiks. I’d been searching everywhere for a specific sand-washed waffle fabric that other stores only sold in bulk. To my delight, they had it—and for just 100 baht per meter. An absolute steal!
The shop was run by three women, all busy cutting fabric for customers. One kept smiling at me but seemed tied up, so I eventually asked another worker my question. What happened next was a little surreal—she removed her mask to answer me, and I realized she could have easily passed as my younger sister. It was fascinating; we couldn’t stop staring at each other as she helped me.
The prices here ranged from 69 to 100 baht, depending on the substrate you chose for the prints. I walked away with three beautiful fabrics, though I would have bought more if I’d had the luggage space. This little hole-in-the-wall store is a gem, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves blue and white fabrics—it’s the place to go for those!
