Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets. There are many areas throughout Bangkok affording ample choices and easy access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping areas.
Bangkok's modern, multi-storey shopping malls are a shopaholic's paradise... From the legendary Mah Boon Krong (MBK), to the sophisticated Emporium, trendy Siam Discovery or unashamedly upscale Siam Paragon, Bangkok's accommodate every taste, pocket and style. The latest addition to the city's 'mallscape' is the newly and fabulously revamped CentralWorld, officially the largest mall in Southeast Asia.
These malls are where you'll find the city's finest fashion stores, global brands, book shops, speciality stores, accessories stands and all kinds of luxury designer lifestyle goods. Not only are you spoiled for choice; it's all super easy to navigate. Modern and air-conditioned, they're also a pleasant alternative to the bustling hot markets, and most complexes are easily accessible via the city's modern and efficient Skytrain (BTS) system. Just don't forget to sport comfortable shoes!
Central World Shopping Complex
The battle of Bangkok's mega shopping malls to be the biggest and the best has a new outright and undisputed winner: the supermodern, newly launched, revamped and rebranded CentralWorld.
With 550,000 square metres of retail space and a total area size of 830,000 square metres that is 30% larger than any other shopping centre in central Bangkok, CentralWorld is now officially the largest lifestyle shopping complex in Southeast Asia.
Siam Paragon Shopping Centre
From a sporty yellow Ferrari to a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes straight from the set of Sex and the City, Siam Paragon is a shopping mall without rival in Southeast Asia when it comes to luxury goods.
This shopping and entertainment complex is an upmarket, five-storey colossus with 500,000 square metres of retail space. The gleaming, modern mall opened in December 2005 at a cost of 15 billion baht (US$ 375 million), and is home to more than 250 famed international and local luxury brands. Let's take a closer look...
MBK Shopping Centrer
Short-named MBK, the multi-storey Mah Boon Krong is probably Bangkok's most legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals. Eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery and DVD's (and then some).
MBK (launched in 1986) is a beehive of activity, especially on weekends, when half of Bangkok converges to shop for bargains. And plenty of bargains are to be found here!
The Emporium Bangkok
The Emporium is like a glossy magazine come to life. Behold the seven layers of shopper's paradise, where the first three floors are dedicated solely to fashion.
Exclusive world-class brand names dominate the ground floor, hot international designer items, leather and jewellery the first floor, and glamorous garb for the young and trendy, the second. Fashionistas, this is your playground.
Siam Center Bangkok
One of the oldest malls in Thailand, but also one of the most vital. Situated slap-bang in the centre of what is called 'the battleground of the malls' - and easily dwarfed by the bigger and flashier malls - few know that Siam Center was there before all the others. Constructed in 1976, this original looks good for her age, thanks to the panoply of bright and playful shops and the ever-younger and fresher clientele, expending their reeling energies and pocket money...
Gaysorn Bangkok
Gaysorn is a luxurious, upmarket white marble and gleaming chrome complex housing exclusively high-end luxury goods and designer labels. Its contemporary design and an innovative retail concept create a very exclusive shopping experience.
Expect to find a wide range of highly desirable international brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Hugo Boss, to name but a few, as well as a selection of Thailand's most innovative designers such as Fly Now, 'Senada Theory and Kloset Red Carpet.
Pantip Plaza (IT Mall)
The mother of them all. Walking through the main entrance of this multi-storey IT complex, you'll be greeted with the latest copy software for sale (100 - 150 baht), along with DVD's, MP3 CD's, and anything else that can be put on disk. If you're looking for a new wireless mouse, USB stick, CD-Rom drive, or whatever you can think of, sift your way through as many vendors as possible to compare prices and find the best deal.
Most IT brands are well-represented, and the safest places to buy from are credible and established outlets. The secret is to take your time, and to compare prices. To put it simply, Pantip is a must, especially if you' re shopping on a budget. Even just for the experience, it's well worth your time to explore the sheer variety of IT products on offer, packed from floor to ceiling.
Open: 10:00 - 20:30 (every day) Location: Petchaburi Road, directly across the street from Pratunam's City Complex and close to the Baiyoke Market and stylish Amari Watergate Hotel. To get there, take the skytrain (BTS) to Ratchathewi station, and then either hire a tuk-tuk / taxi, or just walk ten minutes down Petchaburi Road.
Platinum Fashion Mall Bangkok
A relatively new shopping center in the Petchburi area, Platinum Fashion Mall caters especially to wholesale clothing, selling a similar range of clothing to the Pratunam Market across the street, except in air-conditioned comfort. The mall has six floors which are filled with small outlets - most of them specialising in women's clothing and fashion accessories. Since this is a wholesale mall, you can get items at very reasonable prices - provided you buy larger quantities, usually three items and up.
The price you pay will be about 30% lower per piece. Some shops allow you to mix different types of items, for example, purses and bags, shirts and trousers. And as with most shopping malls in the city, there is also a food court on the fifth floor, along with caf and fast food chains. If you're coming from CentralWorld, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it. Just head north, cross the small canal, and turn left into Petchburi Road, a few metres along and you're there.
Open: 10:00 - 22:00 Location: Petchburi, Ratchathewi (next to Pantip Plaza) BTS: The nearest Skytrain station is Ploenchit
Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok
Opened in 1982, Central Lad Prao is one of the oldest shopping malls and department stores in Thailand. Favoured by the locals living further away from the downtown area, Central Ladprao has a total of seven floors including a basement floor with trendy clothing, shoes, bags, books, DVDs, and a TOPS supermarket. The department store stocks everything you'll ever need from cosmetics and car accessories to a Marks & Spencer outlet. On the top floor is a huge food court selling different types of cuisine, from popular Thai dishes to international favourites. The usual mix of fast food chains can also be found here. On the seventh floor of the department store side you'll find SFX Cinema, a nine-screen cinema complete with first-class seating and bowling alleys.
Adjoining the mall is the Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel, which houses Bangkok's first convention center. In front of the mall is an outdoor market bustling with small shops selling inexpensive fashion accessories.
Open: Sun - Thurs 10:00 - 21:30, Fri - Sat until 22:00 Location: Phahon Yothin (opposite Chatuchak Park) MRT: Phahon Yothin station (BTS Mo Chit station)
Esplanade
This structure of organic contours and ample space was designed by the same Paris-based architects who conceived Bangkok's famous Emporium and Siam Paragon. Within is a music academy, a 12-theatre Cineplex, and ice skating rink (the latter to be launched sometime in 2007). This new addition to the mall scene operates 100 000 square meters of retail space, and introduces the intriguing concept of 'artetainment'.
In addition, it features one of the most modern auditoriums in the city, and the Cineplex movie theatres have devised a nifty way to save paper; the 'now showing' screens are electronic instead of the traditional posters. Aside from all the usual eateries, cafes and fashionable lifestyle stores, there are also several health and wellness outlets, from post-natal slimming and shaping, to fitness, hair and nails. Project Zen Bodyworks has a spa menu to delight, and Chaho Matcha Teashop stocks Japanese green tea. And for some action, Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl combines karaoke and bowling for good clean fun.
