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JUMP to my Bangkok Shopping Map

A brief Bangkok Shopping Guide, how to find the best shopping malls, and what's available. Follow these links for a brief write-up:-

|  Paragon  |  Emporium  |  Central World Plaza  |  Gaysorn Plaza  |  Amarin Plaza  |  Erawan  |  Peninsular Plaza  |  All Seasons Place  |  Siam Discovery  |  MBK  |  Central Plaza  |  Central City  |  Seacon Square  | Old Siam  |

Discounts

Discounts of at least 5% are usually available at most stores, just for being a tourist! 

Paragon/Emporium/The Mall
Sign up for a Paragon/Emporium/Mall card, you normally need your passport to do this.

Siam Discovery Centre
The card, which was previously available from the information desk, is no longer available, however, with your passport (or a copy of the information page) discounts are still available of at least 5%.

Central/Robinson/Zen
5% Discount card available for a period of 30 days on production of your passport. Good at all branches.

New July 2006 The Central 1 Card, not only entitles you to 5% discount, but comes with a book of vouchers for up to 20% various manufacturers products - PLUS various extra discounts for cardholders, such as 20% off Lacoste. This card is free, and is issued while you wait from the desk on the 3rd floor by Greyhound Cafe. Ask for Expat Card application form, as all the ones on display are in Thai.
Well worth filling the form out for, I saved 1090 Baht on my first purchase alone! Purchases accumulate points that you can redeem for discount vouchers up to 50%.

Siam Paragon
     Siam Station

On the site of the former Intercontinental Hotel opposite Siam Square, you will find The Siam Paragon
The largest development of its kind in Thailand, on a massive 21 acres of prime central Bangkok land.
The Paragon has moved the Emporium firmly into second place
There are car showrooms, an aquarium, high class food court (not the one on the ground floor!), fountains, in fact the whole concept has been designed to eclipse similar projects in neighbouring countries and make Thailand a shopping destination similar to Hong Kong or Singapore.
All the top name brands are there, along with cinemas, restaurants, an aquarium, and a hall for grand events.

Walking around most of the other shopping malls, you will notice they all seem to sell exactly the same products, The Paragon has broken the mould to some extent, and has brands and designer outlets not seen anywhere else in Thailand.

This is a very large complex, and you can easily spend all day here, and still not see it all.

Well worth a visit, but be prepared for crowds at weekends, and a serious number of school children after 15:30.

  Also the venue of Siam Ocean World, claimed to be the largest aquarium in the region. Located in the basement, entrance on the far right looking at the building from the front.

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The old Siam Intercontinental Hotel that used to occupy the site, as viewed from the Skytrain in 2001

The Emporium
   Phrom Phong Station

The Emporium Sukhumvit Soi 24. In my opinion this is the best all round mall, department store, food court and cinema complex. Built adjacent to Queens Park (Benja Siri), The Emporium houses a collection of designer stores, an excellent department store, and a whole floor (5th) of restaurants, coffee shops, fast food, supermarket, and the cleanest and best food court I have seen in Thailand.
The 6th floor houses a multi-screen cinema where you can see all the latest films for a fraction of the normal cost AND several months before they get released in the UK. All shown with the original English soundtrack and Thai sub-titles. Usually 120 Baht per seat and only 100 Baht in the daytime. Cinema re-furbished March 2003.

Update 2005 has seen the complete refurbishment of the department store with an extra floor added below the ground floor. On the 5th floor, the Park Food Court now extends into the former car park, and on the 6th floor there is a kind of museum/design exhibition.

Some of the famous brands found in The Emporium :-

• Celine

• Chanel

• Christian Dior

• Hermes

• Fendi

• Louis Vuitton

• Mont Blanc

• Salvatore Ferragamo

• Giani Versace

• Cartier

• Rolex

• DKNY

• Ungaro

• Jean Louis Scherrer

• Prada

• Paul Smith

• Cerruti

• Chaps

• Nautica

• Esprit

• Jaspal

• Georges Rech

• Louis Ferraud

• Lacoste

• Replay

• Pro Cam-Fis

• Panasonic Showroom

• Sony Showroom

• CD Warehouse

• Boots The Chemist

• Jim Thompson Thai silk

• Ermenegildo Zegna

The Emporium Department Store, 622 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 66 (0)2 664-8000

Opening Hours
10.00am - 10.00pm

   Central World Plaza     Chit Lom Station

A "sky bridge" from Chit Lom station will let you walk through to Central World Plaza without stepping foot on the pavement.

(Formerly The World Trade Centre.)

There are hundreds of shops, scores of restaurants, cinemas, and an ice skating rink.
In front, there are often open-air concerts by popular Thai bands, open-air restaurants, and beer gardens, but these seem to come and go depending on the seasons. There used to be a replica of a pirate ship serving Carlsberg beer, but it disappeared overnight!
Central World Plaza is on Rajdamri Road, go up Sukhumvit, past the railway crossing, the road changes its name to Ploenchit, When you get to the Intercontinental Hotel and Amarin Plaza, World Trade is on the right just over the traffic lights at the junction of both roads and sky train. It’s so big you can’t miss it! Just get in a taxi and say "World Trade", the old name sticks.

December 2006 saw the opening of the new and improved Central World Plaza (above), now almost twice the size, and totally refurbished and clad in giant glass panels. The dismal and boring former building is re-born!

Enter from the Sky Walk into the newly built extension, and you will find many upmarket shops and on the 7th floor is the largest supermarket I have seen in Thailand, truly international brands not previously available.

Gaysorn Plaza    Chit Lom Station via Skybridge

Gaysorn is a high-end "designer" mall with shops such as Hugo Boss, Georgio Armani, Prada, and more, in fact quite a lot of businesses have relocated here from Peninsular Plaza, the former exclusive shopping mall.
Newly re-furbished mid 2002, the new look Gaysorn is painted white inside. Direct access now from the skybridge to Chit Lom BTS skytrain station is making it more popular.
Located right in the centre of the Bangkok shopping district at Rajaprasong Junction, just over the road from the Erawan Shrine.

Visit the Gaysorn Shopping Centre website for details of the latest events and promotions.

Some of the famous brands available in Gaysorn:-

• Christian Dior
• Christian Lacroix
• Fendi
• Louis Vuitton
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Crabtree & Evelyn
• Dunhill
• Aigner
• Bally
• Daks
• Ermengildo Zegna
• Porsche Design
• Jousse
• Keven
• Lacoste

• Burberry
• Celine
• Emporio Armani
• Gucci
• Lanvin
• Mont Blanc
• Tag Heuer
• Bally
• Givenchy
• Hugo Boss
• Longchamp
• Max Mara
• Pal Zileri
• Charles Jourdan
• Omega

Amarin Plaza    Chit Lom Station via Skybridge

Erawan Shrine, whether you know it or not, you have seen the Erawan Shrine on TV. It is the most filmed and photographed site in Bangkok probably because it is just yards away from the offices of all the major international TV companies and news organisations.
I am unsure of the history, but it was there long before the Erawan hotel was built. A good photo opportunity, especially the dancing girls who will put on a show of traditional dancing whenever someone pays, the prices are up on the wall at the back in English. [I wonder why......]

Erawan    Chit Lom Station via Skybridge

Opened in late 2004 in the space vacated by Sogo Department Store, Erawan is adjacent to the Erawan Hotel and is joined to Amarin Plaza by an elevated walkway. Apart from the main entrance at street level next to the Erawan Shrine, there is also an entrance from the Skybridge from Chit Lom Skytrain station.
The basement level features food with various kinds of restaurants whilst the rest of the building is full of  up-market designer brands in the same style as Gaysorn (opposite) and Peninsular Plaza (a few hundred metres away).

Peninsular Plaza    Ratchadamri Station

Peninsular Plaza is about 500 metres down past The Erawan Hotel and The Regent Hotel, this is a high class mall with Cartier, Davidoff, etc., as well as the Thailand branch of auctioneers Christie's. Lots of quality branded goods for sale at prices to appeal to the Thai market. There is also a top class tailor here, but be prepared to wait 4-6 weeks and pay around 60,000 Baht. The café is very good and not too expensive. If you go down around lunch time it is very busy with local office workers who seem to be trying to communicate in English with one another. Becoming quieter these days as it is a little out of the way and off the main route for most shoppers.

All Seasons Place   Free shuttle bus from   Ploenchit Station               

Opened late 2002, but not really up and running until 2003, this is very smartly finished.
At the base of a group of 3 towers, All Seasons Place, encompasses the main BMW showroom, an up-market office block, and the Conrad Hotel and Residence.

CRC Tower houses a fair selection of restaurants & bars and a supermarket, this is currently a relaxing and pleasant place to go for a meal or just a cup of coffee, the Conrad bakery shop is particularly good (on the first floor).

A free shuttle bus departs from just round the corner into Wireless Road, walk to the far end of the Sky Bridge, and exit where it connects with the old footbridge, opposite Home Pro and the British Embassy.

Siam Discovery Centre    Siam Station

Siam Discovery Centre at the junction of Ploenchit Road/Phayathai Road, opposite Siam Square at Siam Station on the sky train. This new mall adjoins Siam Centre and contains a good selection of shops, restaurants, and designer fashion outlets. Here you will find the most luxurious cinema I have ever seen anywhere, giant sized fully reclining seats with tables inset with ice buckets. I kid you not! 300 Baht per seat, but no food and drink from outside. You can book the entire cinema for a private showing if you want a party.

Inside The Siam Discovery Centre.

MBK Centre    National Stadium Station

MBK Shopping Mall [Mah Boon Krong] This is a very popular shopping mall for locals. Located just across from Siam Square, it is most popular with the younger set, lots of trendy school girls here every evening.
Plenty of restaurants and all manner of goods from cars to furniture. If you are looking for electronic goods such as Mini-Disc and CD walkmen, this is the place. All the goods of this nature are smuggled in and do not have VAT and local tax making MBK by far the cheapest place for Panasonic, Sony, Aiwa, etc.
A good selection of copied video CDs, DVDs, and the premier place for PlayStation game copies from below 40 Baht each.

IT Centre on the 4th. floor is the best place for MP3 music, and DVD copies.

MBK is also THE place for anything related to mobile phones. The ground floor has a lot of fake designer goods and clothes at prices you won't see from street traders. MBK is well worth a look if you can stand the pace!

Sitting having a cup of coffee in here, the constant stream of people going up and down the escalators and generally milling about, put me in mind of one of those glass fronted ant's nests. Take a look and see what I mean.

Web Site - MBK-Center.com

   Central Chit Lom   Chit Lom Station

Strictly speaking, not a shopping mall, but Central's "flagship" store.
Very easy to get to with the "Sky Bridge" from Chit Lom Skytrain station taking you right into the 2nd floor.
A very good selection of goods from economy items through to luxury goods and furniture.
A good selection of restaurants and coffee shops throughout the store, and the pioneer of the new "higher class" food courts with The Food Loft on the top floor.

Various promotions, look for the current offers, discounts of up to 50% on some clothes for example.

Also, on the rear of the ground floor, an extensive supermarket with free delivery on ridiculously small purchase amounts, and a large economy food court.
Everything you need in one place!

   Central Plaza    Mo Chit Station

  Phahon Yothin MRT Subway Station

Central Plaza adjoining Central Plaza Hotel (Sofitel). This is a large and busy shopping mall that you may have seen on your way to and from the airport, until December 1999 it was really too awkward to get to, from just about anywhere in the city, due to travelling time. Now the Skytrain takes you to within walking distance, or a short taxi ride, 35 Baht, from the Mo Chit station at the end of the line. Better still, you can easily get there on the subway, from Phahon Yothin station, walk over the new footbridge and you are there.

Central Plaza has some different brands and is possibly the largest store Central have. The shopping mall is huge with cinemas on the top floor, and a labyrinth of small shops in the basement. The Food Loft idea from Central Chidlom is here, but this time it's a Food Cellar, a good selection but no Indian food.

The BTS Free Bus Scheme will take you to and from Central Plaza, or SCB Plaza.
Central Plaza has a decent supermarket, 3 floors of all kinds of shops and restaurants with a large Central department store. Not too many foreigners to be seen here, worth a look for a change.

If you are on Asoke Road, you can catch a 146 Orange aircon bus that will take you on a trip around the Ratchada area before going right past Central Plaza on its way to Morchit bus station. An interesting trip round Bangkok for about 12 Baht.

*Now open, just opposite Central Plaza is a new large shopping mall called Union Mall,yet to take a look.....

   Central City  Free Shuttle bus from On Nut Station

On the Bang Na - Trat Road. This is a bit off the beaten track, but only 25 Baht away on a No.6 Micro Bus, about 5-7 miles out of town.

When you get out of the built-up area of Bangkok, about 3 miles after the end of the Sky-Train, look for Central City on the left. A No.6 Micro Bus will take you there and there is a bus stop right outside, to get back to where you started, walk over the pedestrian bridge and wait for another No.6 Micro Bus to come, it might be an idea to wave at the driver to get him to stop as "falangs" are few and far between around here! It's worth a look if you have a spare afternoon.

Central City is a large shopping mall containing hundreds of shops, a large Central Department Store, Home Pro, and now Toys 'R' Us on Level 6, the only one I know in Thailand.

TIP If you want to carry on to Samut Prakhan, the town at the end of the No.6 Bus route, get back on and travel all the way until the bus driver tells you to get off. You will see an authentic Thai town with fishing boats, right on the Chao Phraya River estuary. From here travel back to civilisation on a No.11 bendy-bus, or another No.6 Micro Bus from the start of their routes. If you really want to be adventurous, you can take a ferry to the opposite river bank and make your way back into Bangkok on any of the buses that start their journeys from the pier.
You'll see them parked up and leaving at around 10 minute intervals.

Seacon Square

This is a massive complex but a bit "off the beaten track" out to the south of the city on Srinakharin Road. Only worth a vist if you are in that part of the city really. Not far away from Central City, about 40 Baht in a taxi, and almost next door to Seri Centre, one of the IT malls.

Formally a bit out of the way for people in central Bangkok, this mall may well benefit from being very close to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Website HERE

Old Siam

This 3 storey complex in a kind of mock period styling, houses mostly "freelance" shop units selling everything from dildos to diamonds. Food is prominent on the ground floor with a few international fast food outlets. A band plays in the main stage area at weekends.
On the first floor there are more units selling souvenirs as well as antiques.
The 3rd. floor seems to be mostly a massive electronics repair workshop with literally hundreds of men with workbenches and oscilloscopes repairing stereos, hi-fis and video recorders.
On Saturdays only, several of the streets around here are home to vendors selling all kind of odd things. Look out for small bottles of wine and champagne and other items marked Thai International or Qantas, probably stolen from airlines. Another example, if one were needed, of Amazing Thailand!

Lotus/Tesco    On Nut Station (& Fortune Town)

Take the walkway from On Nut Skytrain station to this massive cut price store filled with everything from plastic dustbins to stereos. Massive cut price grocery department, bakery, and a fine selection of Thai fruits and vegetables, possibly a cultural experience in itself.

There are several enormous Lotus/Tesco stores around Bangkok, this one at On Nut station is the easiest to find. There is another one situated on 2 floors of Fortune Town.

I can't really have a page on shopping malls without mentioning The Mall Shopping Complex 1909 Ramkamhaeng Road, Huamark, Bangkok 10240. Click HERE to visit their web site.
Fashion Island is also well known locally but a long way out of town on Ram Intra Road, not too far from Don Muang airport. A No.8 Microbus will take you there.

Main Department Stores in Bangkok

There are very few shops worth visiting along the streets, most good ones now being found in the vast air-conditioned shopping malls.
Department stores are abundant with Thailand’s own Central (sometimes re-badged as ZEN) and Robinson the most common, there are also branches of Japanese department stores Tokyu, and Isetan.

Department stores sell quality branded merchandise, and international brands, at (fixed) bargain prices. Discount retailers are Big C, Makro, and Lotus Saver Centre (now owned by Tesco UK).  All department stores have food centres or food courts, and supermarkets of varying quality.

Locations

There are many branches or these stores all over Bangkok and increasingly in other major cities and tourist areas, here are some of the locations in the more usual tourist areas.

Central Department Stores

1. At the corner of Chidlom and Ploenchit.   Chit Lom BTS
2. Silom Road, 2 locations.    Sala Daeng BTS     Silom MRT
3. Central Plaza adjoining the Central Plaza Hotel.   Phahon Yothon MRT

Robinson Department Stores  click the link for their web site

1. Sukhumvit between Sois 17&19    Asok BTS
2. Silom Road.    Sala Daeng BTS     Silom MRT
3. Ratchadapisek Road.    Thai Cultural Centre MRT

Tokyu Department Store  ALWAYS a sale on here!

Phayathai Road within the Mah Boon Krong shopping complex, (MBK).  National Stadium BTS

Zen Department Store & Isetan Department Store

Within Central World Plaza, formerly World Trade Centre

Emporium Department Store

Within the Emporium Shopping Mall on Sukhumvit Road next to Sukhumvit Soi 24, and   Chit Lom Station

Other Department stores are not nearly so popular, but there are also several "The Mall" stores, "Merry King", and Thai Dai Maru.

Central Bangkok Shopping Map