Bangkok, the land of smiles, is cultural phenomenon, shopping heaven and tourist treasure, one of the most cosmopolitan, contrasting and, above all, compelling of Asian cities. A steamy, pulsating, yet smiling metropolis of more than ten million – intense at first, but addictive as anything. Come find your niche among dazzling temples, hotels of every breed and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous nightlife and the many things in between.Experience all the things – tuk-tuk ride, ladyboy show, Muay Thai (kickboxing) match, Thai massage – everyone always comes home talking about.
@Siam Square
The jewel in the crown of the city’s shopping centres – Siam Paragon – completes the strip of malls that begins at MBK and fringes the square, often referred to as ‘the battleground of the malls’. These are where Bangkok earns its stripes as an international fashion hub, with a profusion of leading designer flagship stores inside
Siam, like the city in which it is located, is an area of contrast. True to Bangkok’s unified configuration the area is a collaboration of internationally renowned high-end brands and independent traders where price scales go across the board.
Adjacent to the world-class malls is a dense warren of boutiques, Siam Square. Siam also holds the dubious honour of being the most expensive place to rent land in Bangkok. It is what Bond Street is to London and Fifth Avenue to New York, while still possessing the innovative atmosphere of Camden Town or Soho, NYC
@Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit Road is one of Bangkok's best known shopping streets. Easily accessible thanks to the BTS, its air-conditioned malls, department stores, myriad shops and sidewalk vendors offer an overwhelming variety of goods that range from fashion trends straight off the catwalk to cheap imitations.
The most visible and vibrant form of commerce are the street stalls peddling souvenirs, knock-off clothing and pirated DVD's. These open in the afternoon and operate all along lower Sukhumvit road around the main hotels. Many don't close until late. Shops, meanwhile, feature everything from haircuts and antiques to tailored suits and happy-ending massages.
Upmarket shopping is almost as easily found. Connected by elevated walkway to BTS Asok is Robinsons Department Store, and to BTS Phrom Phong the massive Emporium Shopping Mall.
Home to many of the city’s funky fashion boutiques the swanky street of Thonglor (Soi 55) - the 'Beverley Hills of Asia' according to the New York Times - is perfect for those wanting trendy clothes, gadgets or home wares crafted by both homegrown and overseas designers. Many fine interior and home decor stores in this area celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of Thailand.
@Silom
Be it during the day or past midnight, Silom has something to satisfy all breeds of shopper. Start with the shopping malls in the area, including Silom Complex, Central, and Robinson. Also don't miss Silom's sub-sois, notably Soi 'Lalaisup', where local food, clothing and accessories can be had at reasonable prices.
Fancy shopping under the Bangkok's night sky? Then head to the famous Patpong Night Market. Here - inbetween peeks at the sex trade which still survives here - souvenirs, Thai crafts, CD's, DVD's, counterfeit watches and bags, funny and rude T-shirts, boxing shorts and a whole lot of other things can be bargained for. This and the vendors who turn up along Silom and Saledaeng Roads each night, are undoubtedly the most popular shopping option, especially for tourists.
> Silom Complex
@Khao San Road
The centre of the backpackers' universe is bursting with fun, tacky and useful things to blow your baht on. Its ubiquitous travel shops can arrange your outward journey, whether it be flights, trains or bus tickets. The many tailors will happily whip you up a sharp suit ready for when you arrive back from the islands.
A must for the beach is a gripping read, and fortunately several of the city's best second hand-book shops are here. Modern essentials aren't neglected either: internet cafes, chemists, convenience stores, banks and monetary exchanges abound.
@Pratunam
> Platinum Fashion Mall is like an indoor version of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It specializes in wholesale fashion clothing and accessories, with four floors of shopping space, packed with some 1,300 shops. Here, haggling is part of the fun, and you’ll save more buying in larger quantities.
Get There:
By Taxi or 10-minute walk from either Ratchathewi or Chidlom BTS Skytrain
> Shibuya 19 Shopping Mall - nothing much compare to Platinum
> Palladium Shopping Mall - not worth going
> Asiatique, The RiverFront
- Good ambience for a nice dinner. Shopping here is similar to Suan Luan (old night market which is now closed).
Asiatique has successfully combined two of the most popular shopping experiences in the city: a night bazaar and a mall. Ten minutes downriver from Saphan Taksin BTS station this once-bustling international trade port has been transformed, with over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants housed under a huge replica warehouse complex. Open from 17:00, spending an evening here is no problem: you’ll have good fun browsing the boutiques, picking up gifts or something for yourself; you are guaranteed to find something you would like to eat and if this isn’t enough entertainment, shows are performed nightly: Calypso ladyboy cabaret and soon, a classic Thai puppets performance.
The easiest and fastest way to get there is via boat. Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and jump on the free shuttle at the end of the pier. It only takes ten minutes, and the boat runs until 23:00. Taxis are not recommended as the traffic can be terrible in this area. From the boat you step off onto a long boardwalk which runs for 300 metres that looks romantic once the sun has set. Wide streets run between each warehouse and Asiatique provides retro props for photo opportunities: a reproduction tram car, anchors and a push cart. The decor does feel a little overdone on occasion and not quite in keeping with the designers’ plans to evoke nostalgia for the 1900s but it’s so well planned, clean and spacious that the lack of history doesn’t really matter.
Opening Hours: 17:00-midnight Location: Chareonkrung Soi 74-76 How to get there: The easiest and fastest way to get there is via boat. Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and jump on the free shuttle at the end of the pier. It only takes ten minutes, and the boat runs until 23:00. Taxis are not recommended as the traffic can be terrible in this area.
Get There:
Hop on the Free Ferry services from BTS Saphan Taksin.
http://www.thaiasiatique.com/index.php/en/view/page/getting-here
> Chatuchak
There’s more to Chatuchak area than the Chatuchak Weekend Market, although it’s still the place to go for enthusiastic shoppers in search of sheer variety and good bargains. If you like food markets and street food, Or Tor Kor market is not to be missed. Browse the market section for top-quality produce, or sample tasty dishes at the adjacent open-air food court. Further down from Or Tor Kor, Rod Fai Market offers all things vintage and is highly recommended for those who appreciate the laid-back indie scene
Terminal 21
MBK
The multi-storey MBK 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 DVDs. MBK (launched in 1986) is a beehive of activity, especially on weekends, when half of Bangkok converges to shop for bargains. It's not as up-market or stylish as neighbouring Siam Discovery, Siam Centre and the glitzy Siam Paragon, but it offers a mind-boggling range of goods spread over 89,000 square metres and is considerably less expensive.
Big C
4 Face Buddha
World Trade Centre
JJ mall
There’s more to Chatuchak area than the Chatuchak Weekend Market, although it’s still the place to go for enthusiastic shoppers in search of sheer variety and good bargains. If you like food markets and street food, Or Tor Kor market is not to be missed. Browse the market section for top-quality produce, or sample tasty dishes at the adjacent open-air food court. Further down from Or Tor Kor, Rod Fai Market offers all things vintage and is highly recommended for those who appreciate the laid-back indie scene
Terminal 21
MBK
The multi-storey MBK 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 DVDs. MBK (launched in 1986) is a beehive of activity, especially on weekends, when half of Bangkok converges to shop for bargains. It's not as up-market or stylish as neighbouring Siam Discovery, Siam Centre and the glitzy Siam Paragon, but it offers a mind-boggling range of goods spread over 89,000 square metres and is considerably less expensive.
Big C
4 Face Buddha
World Trade Centre
JJ mall
Union Mall
Patpong Night Market
After recently cleaning up its act, Patpong's become one of the 'must' night shopping destinations for avid shoppers. Found in the built-up area known as Silom, the place is always busy and chaotic with all the commotion from the Go-Go bars nearby and lots of foreign tourists. This market in Bangkok's notorious nightlife district is often the first and easiest stop for many tourists just arriving to Bangkok, whilst lodging at one of several mid-to-upper-end hotels in Silom.
Be warned though, the quality and prices of most items sold are about as real and trustworthy as the girls shaking their wares in go-go bars flanking the area. Both market and go-go bars seem to complement each other well, but remember not to be fooled by first impressions, and to bargain hard.
Patpong Night Market
After recently cleaning up its act, Patpong's become one of the 'must' night shopping destinations for avid shoppers. Found in the built-up area known as Silom, the place is always busy and chaotic with all the commotion from the Go-Go bars nearby and lots of foreign tourists. This market in Bangkok's notorious nightlife district is often the first and easiest stop for many tourists just arriving to Bangkok, whilst lodging at one of several mid-to-upper-end hotels in Silom.
Be warned though, the quality and prices of most items sold are about as real and trustworthy as the girls shaking their wares in go-go bars flanking the area. Both market and go-go bars seem to complement each other well, but remember not to be fooled by first impressions, and to bargain hard.
