Bangkok is thought for a lot of issues: ornate temples, delectable meals, and vibrant nightlife. All these make the Thai capital a juggernaut on the planet of tourism. But when there’s another factor you shouldn’t miss, it’s a chance to buy ’til you drop.
All all through Bangkok, you’ll discover colossal vogue malls and road markets, every providing a special purchasing expertise. Whether or not you’re searching for luxurious designer labels, world manufacturers, or distinctive homegrown favorites, there’s a purchasing middle for you. On this article, let’s break down among the metropolis’s largest and hottest purchasing institutions. (This listing is in no specific order.)
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Formally opened in 1942, the Chatuchak Market is a sprawling purchasing mecca that has been drawing each native and overseas buyers 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 planet.
On the market here’s a full gamut of merchandise conceivable, grouped into 30 sections. A market map could be normally seen on the entrance gate areas. To maximise your time right here, you possibly can take a photograph of the map to information you when you store. Word that there are three entrance gates: on Kamphaeng Phet 2 (Entrance 1), on Kamphaeng Phet 3 (Entrance 2), and on Phahonyothin Street (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 11th of September: 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, Mountain climbing Gear, Leather-based
Part 25: Ceramic & Silk
Part 26: Antiques, Dwelling Decorations, Photograph Frames
Part 27-28: Handcrafts, Books, Miscellaneous, Others
Part 30: Clothes & Miscellaneous
Meals stalls are largely clustered in a single space close to Entrance 1. Others are scattered across the market hallways. So, flex your bargaining muscular tissues and store to your coronary heart’s content material!
When you ever get hungry from all of the bargaining, there are many eating choices round, serving varied 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 Street, 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 (Entire 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 without doubt one of the greatest wholesale garment markets within the nation. It options each indoor and outside purchasing areas, touting largely garments and equipment. However different merchandise like toiletries, toys, medicines, and houseware are additionally out there.
Though the shops usually 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 if you see one thing you actually like and really feel like you possibly can nonetheless get it at a a lot lower cost.
Don’t neglect to take a look at Pratunam Heart, a constructing on the coronary heart of Pratunam. If you’re extra comfy purchasing outdoors, simply watch out of the passing automobiles.
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 most effective time to buy is between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Platinum Vogue Mall
On the opposite facet of Petchaburi Street and throughout the Pratunam Market space, Platinum Vogue Mall entices shopaholics and fashionistas from across the globe. Showcasing a plethora of vogue kinds and merchandise, it is without doubt one of the largest and most favored wholesale and retail purchasing locations in Thailand.
From Thai designer collections to the most recent worldwide traits, it delights buyers on the hunt for garments, equipment, footwear, and leather-based items. Nearly all of the retailers caters to girls, however all the 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 kind! You simply must comb by way of every ground.
In your purchasing information, listed below are the merchandise classes per ground/degree:
- sixth Degree (Meals Heart): Meals & Beverage, Souvenirs, Cell 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, Info Counter
- Basement Degree (Ginza): Denims, Vogue Garments, Meals & Beverage
You may get misplaced within the maze-like colourful hallways that look comparable. Simply set a selected place and time to fulfill your companions after your purchasing spree.
For foodies, you will see a lot of the eating locations on Degree 6 and the Basement Degree. The Meals Heart, 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 Street, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS Station or Siam BTS Station. From both station, take the elevated R-Stroll by way of Gaysorn Village.
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Palladium World Purchasing Mall
Additionally positioned within the Pratunam neighborhood, the Palladium World Purchasing Mall (or just Palladium) is the place to go for IT-related stuff — cellphone equipment, tech devices, electronics, printing, cameras, and the like. However in fact, vogue objects and equipment additionally abound right here: the most recent kinds, classic garments, textiles, costumes, and even college uniforms!
Palladium’s basement additionally beckons blingholics and gemmaphiles who’re looking for their subsequent treasured jewellery — silver, gold, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and extra! Therapeutic massage providers and eating locations are additionally out there.
Location: 555 Ratchaprarop Street, 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 purchasing and leisure vacation spot, immortalized in popular culture because the setting of the movie The Love of Siam. With over 400,000 individuals passing by way of this space each day, it is usually generally thought to be the center of purchasing within the metropolis.
Combining huge fashionable malls with humble road vendor stalls, it caters to each younger and outdated and every kind of buyers, from cut price hunters to luxurious chasers. The leisure and purchasing space spans from Phayathai Street to Henri Dunant and from Rama I Street to the Chulalongkorn Campus. A skywalk hyperlinks it to close by purchasing facilities and the Ratchaprasong purchasing district.
Listed here are among the malls which can be ready for you across the Siam Space:
- Siam Paragon, largely mid-range to high-end manufacturers
- Siam Heart
- Siam Discovery
- CentralwOrld
- MBK Heart
The flagship retailer of GENTLEWOMAN, a Thai model, can be inside Siam Sq..
Location: 388 Rama I Street, 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 in depth retail area space of 525,000 sq. meters, it’s hailed as one of many largest purchasing malls in Asia. Many of the eating places, retail manufacturers, and retailers listed below are on the posh or high-end facet.
Listed here are among 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 by way of their merchandise — crafts, meals, and extra — whereas paying tribute to the floating markets in neighboring provinces.
- Sights Corridor, positioned on IconSiam’s sixth ground, which hosts varied 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 excellent deal about his masterpieces!
- Cruise Pier, the bounce 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 at first of #PrideMonth so rainbow decors and promos are in all places!
Location: 299 Charoen Nakhon Street, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Charoennakorn Station (Sky Prepare Gold Line through Krung Thon Buri BTS Station) or Saphan Taksin BTS Station (then ferry from Sathorn Pier to IconSIAM)
Opening Hours: Every day, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Union Mall
If you wish to avoid the gang, head over to Union Mall, positioned on the Lat Phrao junction in Bangkok’s northern facet. Union Mall is an eight-story retail middle, house to over 1200 retailers and kiosks. But it surely’s nonetheless fairly spacious. Many of the clothes shops are on the primary two ranges, however among the high flooring are usually not absolutely occupied, which make for a extra relaxed purchasing 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 once we had been the one prospects alongside a full purchasing alley! And once we discovered ourselves in the identical retailer as different buyers, they had been Thai.
The good majority of outlets are geared towards girls, however there’s an honest variety of males’s put on on the higher flooring. In reality, Vins was capable of buy a few lovely graphic males’s jackets! He was additionally capable of 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: Every 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 Heart, Siam Discovery, and IconSIAM.
It takes pleasure in its assortment of 145 premium vogue 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 possibly can count on 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 objects:
- 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
- Beneath 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 are going to buy a number of objects without delay. Sure, these are on high of the revealed 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, normally following the season’s foremost event. After we final visited, they had been celebrating #BangkokPride Month so rainbow decors had been throughout. They had been additionally freely giving 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 really positioned in Samutprakarn Province, simply outdoors town. It’s near Suvarnabhumi Airport, so you could possibly do your last-minute purchasing right here, however it’s nonetheless fairly out of the best way.
Nevertheless, there are direct shuttle buses at Siam Paragon that may take you to Siam Premium Retailers.
Methods 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 individual.
Location: 989 moo 14, Tambon Bang Sao Thong, Amphur Bang Sao Thong, Samutprakarn Province 10570, Thailand
Opening Hours: Every day, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
What’s the finest purchasing spot in Bangkok?
Effectively, that relies on your preferences. Based mostly on my commentary, amongst all these, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is probably the most budget-friendly and the workers entertain haggling extra, particularly when you’re buying a number of objects. Chatuchak is touted as probably the most various market this facet of the world, and it’s most likely true since you’ll discover different objects aside from clothes. However in the case of simply attire and equipment, lots of the stalls promote comparable merchandise. You’ll discover a number of institutions promoting the very same shirts, clothes or luggage. Plus, timing is essential right here as most shops are open solely on weekends.
When you’re focused on clothes, the Pratunam space is nice as a result of it has extra various choices. Platinum Vogue Mall alone, whereas usually barely dearer than Chatuchak, is house to a whole lot of distinctive and quirky designs. The adjoining markets additionally promote extra inexpensive objects.
However when you’re after branded and extra premium objects, it’s between Siam Paragon and iconSIAM. Siam Premium Retailers Bangkok has a whole lot of promos, which is nice when you’re cut price looking. However as a result of you need to exit of your technique to attain it, be sure that they carry your goal manufacturers earlier than going.
What’s the Finest Space to Keep in Bangkok for Buyers?
It’s a toss between Siam and Pratunam. Siam is surrounded by large purchasing malls, whereas Pratunam is a cut price retail paradise. The most effective 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 stated, Siam space is way more well-connected than Pratunam when it comes to practice strains.
Listed here are among the high inns in these two areas as reviewed by Agoda customers.
Prime Motels in Siam Space
Prime Motels in Pratunam
Seek for extra Bangkok Motels!
Vital Ideas when Purchasing in Bangkok
- Watch out for pickpockets, particularly within the Pratunam space together with Pratunam Market and Palladium Vogue Corridor. All the time control your valuables.
- Get greater reductions when you’re shopping for as a bunch. Though haggling is just not practiced at most Siam-managed malls like iconSIAM and Siam Premium Retailers, it is extremely a lot welcome at Pratunam institutions and Chatuchak Weekend Market. And also you’re gonna have way more bargaining energy when you’re shopping for a number of objects without delay. So when you’re a part of a bunch, store and haggle collectively.
- Agree to fulfill at a selected place and time. These purchasing facilities are like an enormous maze. They alleys crisscrossing Chatuchak Market, Platinum Vogue Mall, and Pratunam Market are slender and crowded. It’s straightforward to get misplaced and confused. When you’re a part of a bunch, select a meetup spot and time in case you get separated or when you determine to go on separate methods.
- Carry your passport and avail of VAT Refund. Most shops at Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Heart, 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