Bangkok is understood for a lot of issues: ornate temples, delectable meals, and vibrant nightlife. All these make the Thai capital a juggernaut on the earth of tourism. But when there’s yet one more factor you shouldn’t miss, it’s a possibility to buy ’til you drop.
All all through Bangkok, you’ll discover colossal style malls and avenue markets, every providing a unique procuring expertise. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for luxurious designer labels, world manufacturers, or distinctive homegrown favorites, there’s a procuring middle for you. On this article, let’s break down a few of the metropolis’s largest and hottest procuring institutions. (This checklist is in no explicit order.)
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Formally opened in 1942, the Chatuchak Market is a sprawling procuring mecca that has been drawing each native and overseas consumers and distributors. Welcoming greater than 200,000 guests, it’s inarguably the busiest within the nation. Composed of over 15,000 stalls, manned by 11,500 distributors in a 35-acre land space, it’s dubbed as the most important and most various weekend market on the earth.
On the market here’s a full gamut of merchandise conceivable, grouped into 30 sections. A market map may be often seen on the entrance gate areas. To maximise your time right here, you’ll be able to take a photograph of the map to information you whilst you store. Observe that there are three entrance gates: on Kamphaeng Phet 2 (Entrance 1), on Kamphaeng Phet 3 (Entrance 2), and on Phahonyothin Highway (Entrance 3).
To provide you an summary, listed below are the stuff you’ll see per part:
Part 1 & 29: Antiques, Equipment, Books, Thai Devices
Part 2-4: Teen Clothings and Equipment
Part 5-6: Used Clothings and Sneakers
Part 7: Arts & Portray
Part 8: Carvings, Spa, Incense
Part Sep 11: Handcraft & Synthetic Flowers
Part 12, 14, 21-24: Clothes, Equipment, Sneakers
Part 13: Postcards, Souvenirs, Pet/Animal Stuff
Part 15, 19-20: Tableware, Ceramic, Silver, Dwelling Decorations
Part 16-18: Clothes, Climbing Gear, Leather-based
Part 25: Ceramic & Silk
Part 26: Antiques, Dwelling Decorations, Picture Frames
Part 27-28: Handcrafts, Books, Miscellaneous, Others
Part 30: Clothes & Miscellaneous
Meals stalls are principally clustered in a single space close to Entrance 1. Others are scattered across the market hallways. So, flex your bargaining muscle mass and store to your coronary heart’s content material!
For those who ever get hungry from all of the bargaining, there are many eating choices round, serving numerous Thai dishes. However what we suggest is Moo Yang Mae Sumontha, a hidden stall inside Chatuchak Market serving moo yang (grilled pork). However its model is roasted honey glazed, which is extremely tender, succulent, and correctly cooked.
Location: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Highway, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Nearest Stations: Chatuchak Park MRT Station, Chatuchak Park BTS Station, or Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station
Opening Hours:
Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM (Complete Market);
Friday, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Wholesale Solely);
Wednesday-Thursday, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM (Plant Part Solely).
Pratunam Market
With retail shops unfold throughout Ratchaprarop and Phetchaburi Roads in Ratchathewi District, Pratunam Market is likely one of the largest wholesale garment markets within the nation. It options each indoor and outside procuring areas, touting principally garments and equipment. However different merchandise like toiletries, toys, medicines, and houseware are additionally accessible.
Though the shops typically cater to wholesalers, they nonetheless fortunately accommodate retail consumers or those that purchase in small portions. Haggling is regular, so don’t be shy to barter the worth whenever you see one thing you actually like and really feel like you’ll be able to nonetheless get it at a a lot lower cost.
Don’t overlook to take a look at Pratunam Middle, a constructing on the coronary heart of Pratunam. In case you are extra snug procuring outdoors, simply watch out of the passing autos.
Location: Ratchatewi District, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Ratchathewi BTS Station
Opening Hours: The market is open 24/7, however most retailers begin working at 11:00 AM. The very best time to buy is between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Platinum Vogue Mall
On the opposite facet of Petchaburi Highway and throughout the Pratunam Market space, Platinum Vogue Mall entices shopaholics and fashionistas from across the globe. Showcasing a plethora of style kinds and merchandise, it is likely one of the largest and most favored wholesale and retail procuring locations in Thailand.
From Thai designer collections to the most recent worldwide traits, it delights consumers on the hunt for garments, equipment, footwear, and leather-based items. The vast majority of the retailers caters to girls, however the complete Degree 4 is devoted to males’s put on. However on the primary three flooring, you’ll nonetheless discover males’s garments and unisex shops each dozen of stalls or so. It’s composed of greater than 2,500 retailers, housed in a multi-level air-conditioned constructing. It’s not nearly quantity, although. It’s additionally various. You’ll discover one thing for you no matter your age, gender or physique sort! You simply have to comb via every ground.
In your procuring information, listed below are the merchandise classes per ground/degree:
- sixth Degree (Meals Middle): Meals & Beverage, Souvenirs, Cellular Equipment
- fifth Degree (Orchard): Youngsters, Leathers, Equipment
- 4th Degree (Camden): Males, Leather-based Merchandise
- third Degree (Nathan): Girls, Males
- 2nd Degree (Oxford): Girls
- 1st Degree (Soho): Girls, Data Counter
- Basement Degree (Ginza): Denims, Vogue Garments, Meals & Beverage
You would possibly get misplaced within the maze-like colourful hallways that look related. Simply set a selected place and time to fulfill your companions after your procuring spree.
For foodies, you can see a lot of the eating locations on Degree 6 and the Basement Degree. The Meals Middle, the mall’s meals junction, and the eating places are on Degree 6, whereas the cafés and dessert locations are on the basement degree.
Location: 222 Phetchaburi Highway, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS Station or Siam BTS Station. From both station, take the elevated R-Stroll via Gaysorn Village.
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Palladium World Procuring Mall
Additionally situated within the Pratunam neighborhood, the Palladium World Procuring Mall (or just Palladium) is the place to go for IT-related stuff — telephone equipment, tech devices, electronics, printing, cameras, and the like. However in fact, style gadgets and equipment additionally abound right here: the most recent kinds, classic garments, textiles, costumes, and even faculty uniforms!
Palladium’s basement additionally beckons blingholics and gemmaphiles who’re trying to find their subsequent treasured jewellery — silver, gold, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and extra! Therapeutic massage companies and eating locations are additionally accessible.
Location: 555 Ratchaprarop Highway, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS Station, Siam BTS Station or Ratchaprarop Station
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Siam Sq.
Positioned within the Siam neighborhood, Siam Sq. is a procuring and leisure vacation spot, immortalized in popular culture because the setting of the movie The Love of Siam. With over 400,000 individuals passing via this space day by day, additionally it is generally considered the guts of procuring within the metropolis.
Combining huge fashionable malls with humble avenue vendor stalls, it caters to each younger and outdated and all types of consumers, from discount hunters to luxurious chasers. The leisure and procuring space spans from Phayathai Highway to Henri Dunant and from Rama I Highway to the Chulalongkorn Campus. A skywalk hyperlinks it to close by procuring facilities and the Ratchaprasong procuring district.
Listed here are a few of the malls which can be ready for you across the Siam Space:
- Siam Paragon, principally mid-range to high-end manufacturers
- Siam Middle
- Siam Discovery
- CentralwOrld
- MBK Middle
The flagship retailer of GENTLEWOMAN, a Thai model, can be inside Siam Sq..
Location: 388 Rama I Highway, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Siam BTS Station
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
iconSIAM
IconSIAM is a part of the multi-awarded mixed-use improvement property on the west financial institution of the Chao Phraya River. Since its opening in November 2018, it has already amassed a number of design awards. Protecting an intensive retail house space of 525,000 sq. meters, it’s hailed as one of many largest procuring malls in Asia. A lot of the eating places, retail manufacturers, and retailers listed below are on the luxurious or high-end facet.
Listed here are a few of the points of interest ready for you at iconSIAM:
- Siam Takashimaya, the primary Takashimaya in Thailand. This iconic Japanese division retailer carries greater than 500 trusted manufacturers, round 170 of that are Japanese.
- Sook Siam, an indoor floating market with greater than 3,000 native companies from all around the nation had been introduced right here to showcase the cultural roots of Thailand via their merchandise — crafts, meals, and extra — whereas paying tribute to the floating markets in neighboring provinces.
- Points of interest Corridor, situated on IconSiam’s sixth ground, which hosts numerous occasions and displays. The final time we visited, DA VINCI ALIVE BANGKOK takes the spot. It options all of Da Vinci’s genius and legacy multi function place. Right here, you’ll get to marvel at replicas of and be taught an incredible deal about his masterpieces!
- Cruise Pier, the soar off level for a lot of boat cruises. IconSiam is located on the west financial institution of the Chao Phraya.
IconSIAM additionally takes pleasure in its total look and aesthetic. Since its opening in November 2018, it has already amassed a number of design awards. Its interiors are additionally dressed relying on the event. Our final go to was initially of #PrideMonth so rainbow decors and promos are in every single place!
Location: 299 Charoen Nakhon Highway, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Charoennakorn Station (Sky Prepare Gold Line by way of Krung Thon Buri BTS Station) or Saphan Taksin BTS Station (then ferry from Sathorn Pier to IconSIAM)
Opening Hours: Each day, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Union Mall
If you wish to steer clear of the group, head over to Union Mall, situated on the Lat Phrao junction in Bangkok’s northern facet. Union Mall is an eight-story retail middle, dwelling to over 1200 retailers and kiosks. But it surely’s nonetheless fairly spacious. A lot of the outfitters are on the primary two ranges, however a few of the prime flooring are usually not totally occupied, which make for a extra relaxed procuring expertise.
You see, whereas most vacationers congregate in Platinum Mall and Chatuchak Market, Union Mall is extra frequented by locals. After we final visited, it was a wet weekday afternoon, and there have been many instances after we had been the one prospects alongside a full procuring alley! And after we discovered ourselves in the identical retailer as different consumers, they had been Thai.
The nice majority of retailers are geared towards girls, however there’s an honest variety of males’s put on on the higher flooring. In actual fact, Vins was in a position to buy a few lovely graphic males’s jackets! He was additionally in a position to haggle a bit.
However like Platinum Mall, the sheer range of choices right here is sort of spectacular. You’ll discover a retailer for males, girls, children, grownups, skinny and plus-size!
Location: 54 ซอย ลาดพร้าว 1 Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Nearest Station: Phahon Yothin (MRT Blue Line)
Opening Hours: Each day, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Siam Retailers Mall
Siam Premium Retailers is Thailand’s first luxurious outlet mall. It’s operated by the Siam Piwat Simon Co., the identical retail and improvement company behind Siam Paragon, Siam Middle, Siam Discovery, and IconSIAM.
It takes pleasure in its assortment of 145 premium style heavyweights together with designer luxurious labels, worldwide ready-to-wear staples, and native manufacturers, organized in a flat, outdoor-mall setup. However the perfect half: you’ll be able to anticipate an enormous SALE at any time of the yr. Which shops and the way a lot low cost is up for grabs range per season, however there are promos year-round.
After we visited, we had been greeted by these reductions for choose gadgets:
- Calvin Klein – as much as 80% OFF
- Michael Kors – as much as 70% OFF
- Havaianas – as much as 60% OFF
- Puma – as much as 50% OFF
- Below Armour – as much as 50% OFF
- American Eagle – as much as 50% OFF
- Adidas – as much as 40% OFF
- Coach – as much as 30% OFF
Some shops additionally provide further reductions if you buy a number of gadgets without delay. Sure, these are on prime of the printed promos.
You’ll additionally discover the next luxurious manufacturers at Siam Premium Retailers:
- Balenciaga
- Burberry
- Versace
- Ferragamo
- Boss
- Marc Jacobs
- Karl Lagerfeld
Additionally scattered across the web site are a number of photograph spots, often following the season’s primary event. After we final visited, they had been celebrating #BangkokPride Month so rainbow decors had been throughout. They had been additionally making a gift of free rainbow umbrellas to those that add pictures taken at these spots.
Right here’s the catch, although. Though it’s named Siam Premium Retailers Bangkok, it’s truly situated in Samutprakarn Province, simply outdoors town. It’s near Suvarnabhumi Airport, so you may do your last-minute procuring right here, however it’s nonetheless fairly out of the best way.
Nonetheless, there are direct shuttle buses at Siam Paragon that may take you to Siam Premium Retailers.
Learn how to Get to Siam Premium Retailers Bangkok: Take the BTS to Siam Station and head to Siam Paragon. Catch a shuttle bus to Siam Premium Retailers. Fare: THB 150 per particular person.
Location: 989 moo 14, Tambon Bang Sao Thong, Amphur Bang Sao Thong, Samutprakarn Province 10570, Thailand
Opening Hours: Each day, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
What’s the greatest procuring spot in Bangkok?
Effectively, that relies on your preferences. Based mostly on my remark, amongst all these, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is probably the most budget-friendly and the workers entertain haggling extra, particularly if you happen to’re buying a number of gadgets. Chatuchak is touted as probably the most various market this facet of the world, and it’s in all probability true since you’ll discover different gadgets apart from clothes. However relating to simply attire and equipment, most of the stalls promote related merchandise. You’ll discover a number of institutions promoting the very same shirts, clothes or baggage. Plus, timing is essential right here as most shops are open solely on weekends.
For those who’re keen on clothes, the Pratunam space is nice as a result of it has extra various choices. Platinum Vogue Mall alone, whereas typically barely costlier than Chatuchak, is dwelling to quite a lot of distinctive and quirky designs. The adjoining markets additionally promote extra reasonably priced gadgets.
However if you happen to’re after branded and extra premium gadgets, it’s between Siam Paragon and iconSIAM. Siam Premium Retailers Bangkok has quite a lot of promos, which is nice if you happen to’re discount searching. However as a result of you need to exit of your option to attain it, make sure that they carry your goal manufacturers earlier than going.
What’s the Finest Space to Keep in Bangkok for Consumers?
It’s a toss between Siam and Pratunam. Siam is surrounded by big procuring malls, whereas Pratunam is a discount retail paradise. The very best half, these two areas lie facet by facet and are inside strolling distance of one another. It’s a protracted stroll, maybe 15-25 minutes, however it’s not that unhealthy.
That mentioned, Siam space is way more well-connected than Pratunam by way of practice traces.
Listed here are a few of the prime accommodations in these two areas as reviewed by Agoda customers.
Prime Lodges in Siam Space
Prime Lodges in Pratunam
Seek for extra Bangkok Lodges!
Necessary Ideas when Procuring in Bangkok
- Watch out for pickpockets, particularly within the Pratunam space together with Pratunam Market and Palladium Vogue Corridor. At all times keep watch over your valuables.
- Get larger reductions if you happen to’re shopping for as a gaggle. Though haggling is just not practiced at most Siam-managed malls like iconSIAM and Siam Premium Retailers, it is rather a lot welcome at Pratunam institutions and Chatuchak Weekend Market. And also you’re gonna have way more bargaining energy if you happen to’re shopping for a number of gadgets without delay. So if you happen to’re a part of a gaggle, store and haggle collectively.
- Agree to fulfill at a selected place and time. These procuring facilities are like an enormous maze. They alleys crisscrossing Chatuchak Market, Platinum Vogue Mall, and Pratunam Market are slim and crowded. It’s straightforward to get misplaced and confused. For those who’re a part of a gaggle, select a meetup spot and time in case you get separated or if you happen to determine to go on separate methods.
- Carry your passport and avail of VAT Refund. Most shops at Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Middle, CentralwOrld, iconSIAM and Siam Premium Retailers are a part of the tax refund program so make the most of it for further financial savings!
Written by: Yosh Dimen & Asta Alvarez