How to Travel in Thailand During the Mourning Period? Night Markets, BBQ, and Massages Are Too Good to Miss

Text & Photos /Matcha Tuna Egg

With the news of the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had reigned for 70 years, emerging in October this year, Thailand has entered a national mourning period lasting a full year. The passing of this beloved king is undoubtedly a shocking and unbelievable fact for the local people, but for foreign tourists, the most direct impact... might be the question popping up: “Can I still travel to and from Thailand normally during this year?” This time, let this egg personally head deep into Chiang Mai, Thailand, and show you how to enjoy Thailand during the mourning period.

1. Explore the Daily Night Bazaar:

During this trip to Chiang Mai during Thailand’s mourning period, apart from the omnipresent photos and flower altars mourning the late king, as well as the black ribbons worn by hotel staff or service personnel, everything else felt pretty much the same as usual. The night markets were still bustling with life.

Moreover, at Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar, there are so many interesting goods to find. You’ll come across small stalls selling accessories that are bolder and more vibrant in design compared to those at night markets in Taiwan. Plus, you can enjoy the thrill of bargaining—shopping here is both novel and stress-relieving.

2. Enjoy Southern Flavors at the Charcoal Grill Market:

What if you get hungry while exploring? Near the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, this egg discovered an incredibly unique charcoal grill market. To dine here, all you have to do is find a seat first, then go to each stall to see what you’d like to eat, place your order and pay, and inform the vendor which table you’re at. The grilled hot dishes will then be brought straight to your table.

I was actually a bit worried about ordering grilled crab in Chiang Mai, a non-coastal city—what if I ended up with stale crab meat? But luckily, the crab meat was fresh, tender, and springy, which totally boosted my impression of this charcoal grill market.

3. Savor Authentic Thai Cuisine:

For travelers who are wary of street food due to hygiene or freshness concerns, you can also find a variety of authentic Thai restaurants in the night markets. Try flavors you can’t easily get in Taiwan. During my night market visit, I passed by a super-popular Thai restaurant called Lemongrass and decided to give it a try.

The Thai food here is absolutely delicious. I suddenly realized that the Thai dishes I’d had in Taiwan before were really just Taiwanese-style Thai food. Also, the Thai milk tea I used to drink in Taiwan always had a powdery taste... but here, the Thai milk tea is totally to my liking. You can really taste the blend of tea aroma and the unique fragrance of the milk tea.

4. Treat Yourself to a Thai Massage After Exploring the Night Market:

In Thai night markets, it’s common to find massage spots set up with chairs along the roadside, where you can sit down for a massage anytime. But if you’re not into the idea of “being watched while getting a massage on the street,” you can follow this egg’s lead and opt for an affordable yet satisfying parlor experience for a relaxing Thai massage:

CHAI MASSAGE:

Located in an alley midway through the night market, CHAI MASSAGE separates guests with cloth curtains in an open-space setup, allowing those not traveling alone to chat with their companions while being massaged. However, the downside is that you can hear every moan from the next cubicle loud and clear.

Aside from hearing the occasional groan from next door, the Thai massage here is quite cheap and comfortable. Before the massage, the staff will ask if you mind being massaged by someone of the opposite gender or if you’d prefer a female therapist. You can request a same-sex therapist if you’re particular about it.

Fah Lanna Massage:

Compared to CHAI above, this place offers more privacy, as it operates with individual rooms, ensuring complete seclusion during your massage. But because of that... it’s extremely hard to book. Make sure to reserve in advance if you plan to get a massage here.

Since we opted for an essential oil massage here, the staff first presented small bottles of different scents for us to choose from before leading us to our private rooms. Want to know what else you can do in Chiang Mai during Thailand’s mourning period? Stay tuned to Matcha Tuna Egg’s fan page—I’ll take you on more adventures.

Matcha Tuna Egg

Always popping up wherever there’s something new and fun
Can’t resist showing up when there are cool attractions to check out
Love sharing fun places and tasty food with everyone.
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