Shopping & Markets in Bangkok
Chidlom / Ploenchit and Rajprasong Area
| Pathumwan / Siam Square Area
Sukhumvit Area
| Petchburi and Pratunam Area
| Chao Phraya River Area
 |
The largest lifestyle shopping complex. |
Chidlom / Ploenchit and Rajprasong Area
This area is one of the two biggest shopping centers in
Bangkok, with large big department stores filled with the
latest fashions.
Formely World Trade Center, it's located on
the corner of Rama I and Rajdamri road. The Isetan and Zen department stores anchor this huge complex, although there
are hundreds of quality smaller shops. The 6th floor is the
entertainment area and includes a skating rink, bowling
lanes, and cinemas. King Power duty free shop is on the 7th
floor. A short walk from the BTS Chidlom Station.
Situated at Rajprasong intersection and
next to the BTS Chidlom Station. There are so many shops in
the 30.000sqm space, so that you can find all the latest new
fashions.
Central is the preeminent
and most complete chain of department stores in Thailand.
The Chidlom branch is the biggest, with 7 floors of shopping
and a great International Food Court on the 7th floor.
Conveniently connected by a walkway to BTS Chidlom Station.
Located on the corner of Ploenchit road
opposite Central World Plaza. This is the most luxurious
complex in Bangkok, and features, many luxury brand products
such as Fendi. Dior, Louis Vuitton. Gucci, Prada etc. A
direct skybridge entrance from BTS Chidlom Station.
Located opposite Central World
Plaza, this is the place to buy Thai products. The top floor
is like a department store, the bottom floor is like a
market / bazaar, where you can negotiate your best deal.
Great deals on souvenirs in an air-conditioned environment.
A short walk from BTS Chidlom Station.
The top boutique plaza in Bangkok, it rivals Gaysom Plaza for the upscale shoppers. Top quality name brand designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Also home to the main offices for many of the international airline companies. A five-minute walk from Rajadamri BTS, next to the Four Seasons Hotel.
Ploenchit Center
Located in the central business
district of Bangkok. A large, modern 46,000sqm shopping
complex with over 100 retail shops, and a large Villa Market
supermarket. Located near the JW Marriot Hotel. BTS
Ploenchit Station.
Although not as upscale as the Chidlom/Ploenchit area, there are probably more shops, boutiques, kiosks, cinemas, and restaurants in this compact area than anywhere else in the city.
Bonanza Mall
One of the teenager havens in Siam
Square. Specializing in clothes, cosmetics and accessories.
Located across the street from Mah Boon Krong (MBK), and
connected by a skybridge on the 2nd floor. BTS National
Stadium.
Mah Boon Krong (MBK)
Located on the corner of
Phayathai and Rama I road. Mah Boon Krong (MBK) is like a
giant indoor market and has it all. There are more stores,
shops, booths, and kiosks than you can count. Fast food on
the first floor and restaurants on six. The 6th floor also
has cinemas and bowling. The third floor has hundreds of
counters with electronic and mobile phone accessories.
Elsewhere you will find any clothing accessory you could
imagine. Connected to National Stadium BTS by a walkway
through Tokyu Department Store.
The hotspot for Thai teenagers to shop. A grid of
streets lined with shops, restaurants, internet cafes,
bookstores, language schools, the Hard Rock Cafe', three
cinemas that play foreign and art house films, and of course
- lots of clothing. BTS Siam Station.
Another downtown mega-mall with
more than 200 shops offering clothing, home furnishings,
electronics, toys and games, music, and more. The Grand EGV
theatre is on the sixth floor. There are probably more
dining choices here than any other mall in Bangkok. BTS Siam
Square Station.
Sukhumvit Area
Like Silom road, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok's major
thoroughfares, with shops, boutiques, stalls and modern
shopping plazas, not to mention hotels, bars and restaurants
along both sides. Sukhumvit is known for its abundance of
tailor-made garment shops, which offer custom tailoring as
affordable and as easy as buying off the peg. Antique
cognoscenti flock to the section of Sukhumvit which houses a
number of antique shops specialising in Thai period
furniture's, genuinely old or reproduction, and exquisite
wood-carvings.
Emporium
The Emporium Shopping Center is Sukhumvit's upscale
offering. Many designer name shops and boutiques sell the
latest fashions from Armani, Guess, Chanel and Versace and
others. There are also some trendy cafes and eateries on the
second floor as well as a food court on the 6th. SFX Cinema
is on the seventh floor. Connected by a walkway to BTS Phrom
Pong Station.
Outdoor Market
Sukhumvit's answer to Patpong, the
merchants set up on the sidewalk from Soi 4 up to Soi 19
every night. Knock-off designer clothing, music, movies, and
just about any souvenir you could imagine. BTS Nana and Asok.
Petchburi and Pratunam Area
A long stretch of road with many hotels, the main shopping areas are near the intersection of Rajadamri Road, a ten minute walk from Central World Plaza.
Six floors of electronics at the lowest
price. Computers, hardware, software, digital cameras and
every other type of electronic gadgets are all available.
There are perhaps as many as 500 shops, kiosks, and
counters, so you can compare the same product at different
venders for the best price. Also pirated (as well as
licensed) DVDs MP3s and computer software. Located on
Petchburi road, near the Amari Watergate Hotel.
Pratunam Shopping Complex
This 24 hour market is
frequented by wholesalers and exporters (although consumers
can certainly shop here) for the cheap clothing, textiles,
and fabrics available for sale. The market is just off the
main road, look for the entrances that lead to it behind the
roadside shops. Located near the intersection of
Rajchaprarop and Petchburi road, near Panthip Plaza.
Bai Yoke Market
Also in the Pratunam area, near the
Baiyoke Hotel, it sells the same sort of thing; clothing and
accessories. As well as the market, there are many clothing
and textile shops in this area.
Silom Area
The main artery of Bangkok's financial district, Silom Road
also presents great shopping opportunities. At its lower
end, close to the Chao Phraya River, dozens of gem and
jewellery stores line the footpaths while temporary stalls
offer an array of souvenirs from T-shirts to handicrafts.
Major department stores led by Central and Robinson dominate
the upper section. The colourful night market of Patpong,
which links Silom and Surawongse roads, is thronged with
avid bargain-hunters until late into the night.
Silom Complex
Located on Silom road and connected to BTS Saladaeng Station on 2nd floor. This
is the modern shopping complex which offering a wide range of goods. Central's
first store is still here occupying five floors. Many different types of markets
rotate through the lobby area. Many different restaurants and a Top supermarket
in the basement also.
Thaniya Plaza
Located on Thaniya road (between Silom Soi 2-4), and also known as the "Japanese
street." The forte here is the dozens of golf shops selling equipment and
clothing. There are also many book stored, and Thai crafts such as, lacquerware,
basketry, and antique items.
Srinakarin Road
This street is outside the downtown area, running from Ramkamhaeng Road to Bang Na-Trat Highway. It is worth a trip by taxi to visit the two main shopping areas, Seri Center and especially Seacon Square.
Seacon Square
A huge complex of 500.000 sq. km, Seacon Square is the largest shopping center in Asia and the 5th largest in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the 400 or so stores have nearly anything you might want to buy. Some of the bigger stores are a huge football-field-sized branch of DK Books with close to 1 million books (not that many English language though). Lotus Supercenter (a supermarket), Robinson's department store. In addition to stores are 14 THX cinemas (including one that simulates a drive-in cinema, with the patrons sitting in model cars), a bowling alley, ice skating rink, a special simulator' virtual reality cinema, a mini-golf course. For the kids there is "Yoyo Land" a massive indoor theme park with rollercoasters. ferris wheel, boat rides, flumes, and many more. Next door is the Seri Center, a good place for buying anything computer related.
Srinakarin
Road
This street is outside the downtown area, running from
Ramkamhaeng Road to Bang Na-Trat Highway. It is worth a trip
by taxi to visit the two main shopping areas, Seri Center
and especially Seacon Square.
Seacon Square
A huge complex of 500.000 sq. km, Seacon Square is the largest shopping center in Asia and the 5th largest in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that the 400 or so stores have nearly anything you might want to buy. Some of the bigger stores are a huge football-field-sized branch of DK Books with close to 1 million books (not that many English language though). Lotus Supercenter (a supermarket), Robinson's department store. In addition to stores are 14 THX cinemas (including one that simulates a drive-in cinema, with the patrons sitting in model cars), a bowling alley, ice skating rink, a special simulator' virtual reality cinema, a mini-golf course. For the kids there is "Yoyo Land" a massive indoor theme park with rollercoasters. ferris wheel, boat rides, flumes, and many more. Next door is the Seri Center, a good place for buying anything computer related.
This area is associated with royalty, history, old Thailand, and the birthplace of Thai trade and commerce.
O.P. Place
The "Asian Heritage Shopping Center", next to the Oriental Hotel. The place to buy antique, historical, and ornate Thai arts and crafts. Tailors and fine Thai silk products, carpets, leather goods, paintings, decorations, ceramics, and jewelry.
Next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, this four-story complex is best known for art and antiques stores. Home to many handicrafts, unique gifts, and many fine restaurants. There is an art exhibition auction once a month. This is also the launching point for many river cruises and canal tours.
Markets and Weekend Markets
This is the real way to shop in Bangkok. Thousands of people buying tens of thousands of products. Nothing has a price on it and everything is negotiable - so bring your bargaining skills. You could buy nothing and still have a great experience.
Bo-Bae Market
Also known as "Wholesale Market", it is a center for wholesale clothes and textiles, but they also sell to the public. 700 stores with all types of garments and prices. Located on Krung Kasem road near Klong San Sab.
Bang Lamphu Market
Bangkok's oldest one-stop shopping market, Bang Lamphu is like a huge
single-storey department store. From basic necessities to exotic extravagance,
you can find it all here.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The granddaddy of them all. Also known as
"Jatujak" or "JJ Market" or "Weekend Market", this is
Thailand's biggest Weekend Market, selling everything under
the sun; food, trendy fashions, antiques, intricate wooden
carvings, masks from far-off lands, adorable fluffy dogs,
colorful fish of every hue, birds, art, collectibles,
t-shirts, music and movies, and plants. You can find all
this and more at amazing Chatuchak Market.
There are between 12-15,000 individual booths (nobody really
knows!) overflowing with every imaginable type of wares to
catch your fancy. Once inside the market, you will be catch
up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls streching as far
as the eye can see.
They say that if you can't find it at
Chatuchak, you won't find it anywhere in Thailand. The
published opening hours for the market are from 9.00am to
6.00pm on Saturday and Sunday, though many of the stalls
actually open sometime between 9.00am and 10.00am and close
around sunset.
Chatuchak is also open on Friday as a market for wholesalers, but there is no problem doing normal shopping on this day either (same opening times). The Garden Plants section is also open on Wednesdays and Thursday from 7.00am to 6.00pm. Watch out for pickpockets, as even though they're not a particularly big problem the crowded conditions make it easy for them to operate successfully.
Chinatown
and Ban Mor
All that glitters is real gold at Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, which accommodates the largest concentration of gold shops in Thailand. Traditional stores in the area will also excite the imagination of intrepid browsers. A few blocks away, you'll find the equally sparkling strip of Ban Mor. where quality jewellery stores abound on the footpaths.
Khao Sarn Road
One of the most famous places in Bangkok, and one that is undergoing changes. "Old" Khao Sarn has budget accommodations, many travel agents, cheap clothing, tattoos, hair braiding, CDs. and unbelievably cheap roadside food stalls (Phat Thai for 10 bant). "New" Khao Sarn has trendy cafes, coffee shops, nightclubs, and is now the place in Bangkok to buy silver. An interesting experience and must visit for any tourist in Bangkok.
Klong Thorn Market
This is Bangkok's "second hand" market, sold in a crowded, exciting flea market atmosphere. You can bring any used goods here for an assessment of value, and a chance to sell to one of the dealers. Hardware and electrical appliances, new or used, are some of the more popular items.
Pak
Klong Market
Is a very large and busy wholesale market
for fresh flowers and vegetables. Many flower vendors
throughout the city buy their stock here at night and sell
it on the following morning. It's best to go between 02:00
am and 04:00 am when boats on the Chao Phraya River and
trucks from nearby provinces arrive with large quantities of
flowers, vegetables, spices, and fruits. These all are piled
high inside
the market and along nearby streets, making the market very
photogenic, though the smell given off by some off the
produce can be quite overpowering. Very close to here is the
Memorial Bridge Night Market, a large all-purpose market
night market with very cheap prices if you bargain.
Maybe the most famous market in
Thailand, this is very popular with tourists. On a street
lined with go-go bars, there are many stalls selling fake
brand name items of clothes, sunglasses, watches, CDs, silk,
souvenirs, and more. It's interesting to watch the vendors
set-up at dusk, and then break down the stalls at the end of
the night.
In order to get a good deal, you need to bargain hard, and the rule of thumb is you should pay around 50% of the original asking price (movies and music maybe a little higher). Also, the quality of some things (watches, sunglasses, silk) is questionable, so caveat emptor!). If you need a break during shopping, stop in the Radio City Bar and watch the entertaining Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators.
Patpong is between Silom and Surawong roads, and well known to all taxi drivers. You can also to the sky train to Sala Daeng Station.
Phahurat
Market
A wholesale and retail market for textiles, fabrics,
clothing, sarongs, etc, some from Thailand, others from
around Asia. Located in "Little India" next to Chinatown.
Sampeng Lane
This cramped and chaotic lane (also known as Soi Wanit) in Chinatown is an interesting place to stroll down, for the experience as much as for the shopping. On sale are the usual fabrics and textiles, but also household and kitchen accessories, spices, and preserved food. A nice place to check out Chines culture, and much of the food and articles for sale are some kind of Chinese specialty.
