Thailand an enticing Southeast Asian country is set alluringly by the nature on the southern coasts of the Gulf of Thailand at the centre of the Indochinese peninsula. With the blue of the beach waters on the southern side, the towering buildings sprouting amidst the lush green flapping leaves, the hues of crimson and azure during the sunset, Thailand is all painted by the nature to mesmerize you in its threads of variant shades and shadows. A trip to Thailand won’t be enthralling enough if you don’t visit its shopping malls and markets, Thailand is set to amaze you in all aspects of your trip. Here’s a well listed Shopping guide for Thailand, be sure to be clouted by astonishment.
Budget shopping places
Listed below are the best budget shopping places in Thailand:
1. MBK- Mahbookkrong
With around 2000 vendors with varied ranges mixed between floors of shopping, you won’t find international clothing brands like Zara or Fendi, but various independent Thai brands can be seen. The bottom floor has all fashion associated things, bangs, belts, accessories in surprisingly wide varieties, shoes, leather material, dresses- both traditional and westernwear, shirts and swimwears. You can easily haggle them at surprisingly laughable prices and you’ll laugh your heart out at the cheap rates. It also has a supermarket and various food courts; it’s also famous for all electronic devices.
Insider tip: 3&4 floors are dedicated to electronics, 5&6 floors have furniture, camera, international food court (5), Thai food court (6) and other goods while the top floor has karaoke, Cineplex etc.
Location: MBK 444 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok
2. Pratunam Market
Source: welscua.blogspot.com
This is the best wholesale market and a paradise for any bargainer, if you can keep well with the pushing and elbowing crowds and manage to haggle past multiple things; you’re a pro at Pratunam market. It’s a large packed area of streets and small run down malls from Petchaburi road to Baiyoke Sky tower overflowing from everything related to fashion, styles, colors and varieties, you can also find imitations of designer Indian gowns at cheap rates.
Insider tip: most retail shops open from 10am to 9pm, carry cash only as cards aren’t accepted everywhere.
Location: 869/15 Ratchaprarop Road, Khwaeng Thanon Phaya Thai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
3. Palladium Mall
This mall is diagonally across the Platinum Mall in the very area of Pratunam, the concept of shopping here is quite similar to that of the Platinum mall except that there are over 1500 vendors and more shopping space here. Here you can shop for Chinese items in varied ranges and haggle to your heart’s content.
Insider tip: most retail shops open from 9am to 5pm
Location: Palladium 487, Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
4. Platinum Mall
Source: youtube
It’s a famous bargaining mall in the Pratunam area with over 1300 vendors but a little less space. Everything from dresses, uniforms, formals, tops, shirts, jeans, shoes, cosmetics, leather etc are found here in a myriad of varieties. There are various imported stuff and wholesale materials from Korea and Japan. If you bargain for 10-30% off your can easily purchase multiple items from the same place or vendor, it also has a mediocre Thai food court on the top floor.
Insider tip: most retail shops open from 9am to 5pm, don’t haggle much with the ‘fixed rate vendors’, they won’t budge.
Location: 11th floor, Platinum Mall 222, Petchaburi road, ThanonPetchaburi, Ratchthevi
5. Chatuchak Market
This market is a must visit for the tourists to spend a lazy day strolling in a market with 8000 vendors. Its divided into 27 huge Soi (alleys) and sections which correspond freely with the items the vendors are selling in that region. It’s a very confusing yet exotic market, not only the fashionable variety in varied ranges and colors are found here, you can also step into rows of antiques lined up to leave you agape. Ceramics, furnishings, trinkets, souvenirs, vintage clothing, pet accessories, paintings etc can be found here.
Insider tip: it’s usually open during the weekends, from Friday night to Sunday midnight, be aware of the pick pockets.
Location: Chatuchak market 587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
6. Green- Jatujak Green
Its Bohemian vintage style market is all set and decorated to leave you in throes in wonder and awe. Beautiful vintage dresses and normal shopping items which can be shockingly be bargained at a very cheap rate as per the sourroundings. JJ greens has tons of food vendors lined up and Thai open-air restaurants along with local drinking places which play live music till 2 am.
Insider tip: don’t buy the normal things you’d buy in any other market, go for all the unusual stuff.
Location: Kamphaeng Phet 3 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
7. Union Mall
It you want to find an alternative to the busy crowded and dizzy Pratunam market, Union mall is the safest rescue. This is an 8-storyed mall akin to the Platinum and Palladium malls though it’s a lot less crowded and a bit cheaper. Each floor is dedicated to different categories like clothes, shoes, home goods, mens’s fashion, daily needs etc with some really good bargain deals.
Insider tips: you can shop extensively from 11am to 10pm at night, don’t haggle much with the ‘fixed rate vendors’, they won’t budge.
Location: Union Mall 54 Ladprao, Soi 1 Ladprao road, Kwang Jompol, Khet Chatuchal, Bangkok
8. Rod Fai Market
Also known as train market, it’s another vintage market with Bohemian styled clothes and items. Things like American muscle car from the 1950s, auto parts, coca cola signs from decades ago, antique furniture and various other antique goods can be found here genuinely sourced from other Asian or western countries.
Insider tips: located behind the Seacon square, its open from Thursday to Sunday- 5pm to midnight, the best time to shop is then when the city dozes off and the place is calm and peaceful to look at all the antique designs charily.
Location: Rod Fai Market, Srinagarindra 51 Alley, Bangkok
9. Sam Peng- China Town
This is basically that wholesale market from where the other markets replenish their supplies. If you want to redesign or repackage and remodel the items for a resale. From raw silk material to clothing basics and other accessories, you can find everything here at the cheapest rates.
Insider tip: in need of some uncanny thing? Step in to china town, you’ll find varieties of it.
Location: Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan, 6 Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
High end luxury shopping
1. Central world
This largest mall in Thailand is one of the largest shopping complexes in the world. Consisting of eight floors each for its theme, it also has an ice rink a Dubai indoor version of malls. This luxury branded mall has an assortment of things in myriad of brands some which are a bit affordable mixed up with the couture collection straight from the runways.
Insider tip: shopping the international brands during New Years Eve? It’s the heart of New Year party in Bangkok with the biggest fire show in the city. Don’t forget Kane Mochi to replenish your energy while shopping.
Location: 4,4/1-4 Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok
2. Siam Paragon
It’s a yet another popular shopping mall in Bangkok with 250 shops displaying the high-end top notch fashion brands like Vercase, Louis Vuitton, Mango,Gucci etc bowling high for the seasonal fashion throughout the year. The maximum of it is the western wear, you won’t find much of Thai wears leave alone traditional clothing, there are a few high end Thai designers but too costly for clothes that can be bought 10 times in a normal market. It also has books and fitness centers; the Exotic Thai store has the best souvenirs you would want to take back.
Insider tip: huge selection of extra special high end clothes and luxury items to select from. Tourist Discount card gets 5% discount on most purchases.
Location: 1 Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
3. Siam Center
Siam Center is less noisy than Paragon; it has a great food court on the top corner and has a serene darker and dimmer vibe. Siam Center is a haven for all those with big bucks and more time to shop and discover. From the clothing brands to the cosmetic brands, from bridal wears to formal wears, accessories to gift items, all can be found here.
Insider tip: less crowded, more time to think and shop, great food courts.
Location: Rama 1 Road, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
4. Siam Discovery
This is much smaller but brighter to orientate oneself, it’s easy to find out and all the schemes and plans for tourists are also warm and convivial. On the first floor it has Marc Jacobs, Diesel, Miss Sixty and French connection, while on the second floor Kenneth Cole, DKNY, Replay, Calvin Klein and Fred Perry can be easily seen. Third floor houses all the traveling gear- Smart travel and North Face are perfectly lined up. It has house and hair décor saloons and also has Madame Tussauds on the sixth floor.
Insider tip: shop smart, this place can easily give you time to think and choose for the perfect finds.
Location: Rama 1 Road, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
5. Central Chidlom
It has a straight forward designer approach and layout on each floor with big open spaces of brands with no walls. The perfumes, jewelry and handbags can be found on the first floor while exquisite Thai souvenirs can be found on the fourth floor. While shopping you can also try Greyhound for tastebud-blowing cakes and muffins.
Insider tip: another luxurious place, this’ll give you less time to find your way out and discover your best pick.
Location: 1027 Phloen Chit Road, Khwaeng Lumpini, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
6. Terminal 21
This is one of the most spectacular and the coolest shopping center you’ll ever visit with more than 600 shops and various brands. Each floor is designed and dedicated to a famous city, like the streets of London, or a Glimpse of Paris, the aura of Tokyo, the domes and minarets of Istanbul, the golden gate and waterfront of San Francisco etc.
Insider tip: even if you’re more into discovering the new places you can go, it gives a delineated insight of the place.
Location: 88 Soi Shukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Electronic shopping
1. Pantip IT Mall
It’s the biggest and the cheapest mall for all electronic and IT things. It’s been selling and servicing electronics in Bangkok for almost 20 years now with rates cheaper than any place. All electric gadgets like USBs, Mobile Phones, TVs, Laptops, Printers, Chips and all other endless things can be found here.
Insider tip: for more genuine and quality items try the 5th and the 6th floor.
Location: Pantip Plaza Mall 604/3, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
2. MBK
With around 2000 vendors with varied ranges mixed between floors of shopping, you won’t find international clothing brands like Zara or Fendi, but various independent Thai brands can be seen. You can easily haggle them at surprisingly laughable prices and you’ll laugh your heart out at the cheap rates. It’s famous for all electronic devices like USBs, Mobile Phones, TVs, Laptops, Printers, and Chips etc.
Insider tip: 3&4 floors are dedicated to electronics, 5&6 floors have furniture, camera, international food court (5), Thai food court (6) and other goods while the top floor has karaoke, Cineplex etc.
Location: MBK 444 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok
Souvenir shopping
1. Talad Rot Fai
Also known as train market, it’s another vintage market with Bohemian styled clothes and items. Things like American muscle car from the 1950s, auto parts, coca cola signs from decades ago, antique furniture, Thai Kitsch from the 70s and 80 and various other antique goods can be found here genuinely sourced from other Asian or western countries.
Insider tips: located behind the Seacon square, its open from Thursday to Sunday- 5pm to midnight, the best time to shop is then when the city dozes off and the place is calm and peaceful to look at all the antique designs charily.
Location: Rod Fai Market, Srinagarindra 51 Alley, Bangkok
2. Siam Square
To buy the unusual Thai stuff, Siam Square is the best place with cheap price. Items from decades ago and items created by Thai university students and charity programmes can also be found here. From clothes, shoes, shades, accessories to CDs, Paintings and cutlery all can be found here easily.
Insider tip: you can buy all quirky, invigorating things here and will forever be happy for your pick.
Location: Pathum Wan District, near Henri Dunant, Rama 1 and Phaya Thai Roads
Festival shopping
1. Platinum Fashion Mall
It’s a famous bargaining mall in the Pratunam area with over 1300 vendors but a little less space. Everything from dresses, uniforms, formals, tops, shirts, jeans, shoes, cosmetics, leather etc are found here in a myriad of varieties. There are various imported stuff and wholesale materials from Korea and Japan. If you bargain for 10-30% off your can easily purchase multiple items from the same place or vendor, it also has a mediocre Thai food court on the top floor. For all festival shopping, you’ll get discounts and various offers.
Insider tip: most retail shops open from 9am to 5pm, don’t haggle much with the ‘fixed rate vendors’, they won’t budge.
Location: 11th floor, Platinum Mall 222, Petchaburi road, ThanonPetchaburi, Ratchthevi
2. Siam center
Siam Center is less noisy than Paragon; it has a great food court on the top corner and has a serene darker and dimmer vibe. Siam Center is a haven for all those with big bucks and enough energy to stuff into the festival shopping. From the clothing brands to the cosmetic brands, from bridal wears to formal wears, accessories to gift items, all can be found here.
Insider tip: less crowded, more time to think and shop, great food courts.
Location: Rama 1 Road, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon