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Best Buys in Thailand General Information Section.
Like most big cities, there are two main types of shopping places in Bangkok.
One is markets, and the other, shopping centres & department stores. Foreign
shoppers who would like to touch the atmosphere of Thai-style market, seek for
low-priced goods or love to bargain should go to markets. Prices in some shops
and stalls in shopping centres can also be bargained, but not as much as in markets.
| Shopping Centres & Department
Stores |
Bangkok has quite a number of good quality department store and superstore chains
such as Central and Robinson. They have many branches located around Bangkok
and other big cities. The following are some leading shopping centres grouped
into areas.
| Silom area |
Buses : 15, 76, 77, 115, 116 |
Silom Complex This six-storey building consists of Central Department Store,
clothing shops and restaurants. Thaniya Plaza A smaller and less busy
place.
| Phloenchit & Ratchadamri areas |
Buses : 2, 13, 14, 17, 25, 40, 48, 73,
74, 77, 79, 204 |
This area abounds with many modern department stores and shopping centres including Amarin
Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza and Times Square. Other leading ones are:
Gaysorn Plaza |
Central World Plaza |
Central World Plaza (formerly World Trade Center) A huge shopping and entertainment
complex.
Narayana Phand |
Narayana Phand Located
opposite Central World Plaza (formerly World Trade Center), this
is a handicraft centre, under government supervision.
Peninsula Plaza contains some brand-name clothes
shops, top local designer shops and restaurants. |
| Siam Square area |
Buses : 15, 16, 21, 25, 40, 48, 54, 73,
79, 204 |
The lanes in this area are lined with shops and stalls selling clothes,
books and antiques. Besides, there are three favourite shopping centres
of the young and young at heart.
Siam Center features various designer label clothing shops as
well as coffee shops, fast food shops and more.
Siam Paragon, a new vibrant shopping and entertainment
area in Bangkok, featuring brand-name shops, world-class Thai and international
cuisines, and popular fast food chains.
Siam Discovery Center, another high-class shopping centre, contains
more designer stores.
Siam Paragon |
Mahboonkrong (MBK center) |
Mahboonkrong (MBK center), this market-style
shopping centre is packed with stalls selling everything from clothing
and leather goods to cosmetics, gift items, electrical equipment,
furniture and travel and camping equipment. This place is popular
for its wide variety of products with inexpensive prices. |
River City
Shopping Center is located near Royal Orchid Sheraton, off
Charoen Krung and Si Phraya roads. It is well known for its high quality
art and antique shops. Auction sales of antiques are held occasionally
at its exhibition hall.
Buses : 1, 16, 35, 36, 75, 93
The OP Place Shopping Arcade at Charoen Krung 38 near The Oriental
Hotel boasts of being one of Bangkok's finest antiques centres, offering
a wide variety of shopping items for the buyers of all interests.
Buses : 1, 16, 35, 36, 75, 93
The Old Siam Plaza Located in the Chinatown-Phahurat area, this old Bangkok-style
shopping centre has numerous shops selling guns, gems and jewellery, Thai handicrafts
and stalls selling Thai food, sweets and snacks.
Buses : 3, 6, 7, 10, 19, 21, 37, 40, 53
The Emporium This modern shopping complex on Sukhumvit Road contains brand-name
clothing and other shops like most shopping centres.
Buses : 2, 25, 38, 40, 48, 71, 98
Seacon Square Located on Si Nakharin Road in the southeast of Bangkok,
this gigantic shopping centre attracts thousands of suburban people on weekends.
It has all types of shops.
Buses : 93, 145, 207
Siam Square Station |
Apart from markets and shopping centres, Bangkok has
many shopping streets where you can buy anything from clothes, souvenirs,
leather goods, watches and jewellery to all kinds of antiques and
electrical goods. Generally, you can make a bargain of about 10-30%
of the marked price. |
Some well-known shopping streets frequented by Thai and foreign
shoppers alike are Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Ratchadamri, Silom,
especially in Soi Lalai Sap and Patpong Road, and Ramkhamhaeng.
There are lots of markets in Bangkok, but the most well-known and interesting,
especially to foreigners, are the following:
Weekend Market (Chatuchak Market)
This is the biggest and most popular weekend market located on Phahonyothin Road
in the north of Bangkok.
Thousands of people come here on weekends to view and buy many kinds of
goods ranging from clothes to handicrafts, from garden plants to pets,
from utensils to antiques. For shopping lovers, this is one of the best
places to try out your bargaining skills. Since the market is very large in size, it is hard to set the place in good order. Thus, it is always a good idea if you can find a Thai friend to shop with you. The main part of the Weekend
Market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can be
reached by:
Buses : 3, 8, 28, 38, 39, 44, 59, 77, 134, 136, 138, 145
Metro (MRT) : to Kamphaengphet Station
Skytrain (BTS) : to Mo Chit Station
Read more
Chatuchak (Jatujak) :
The Biggest and Most Popular Weekend Market of Thailand
Nailert Market
This is a new market complex on Phetburi Road near Pratunam Market. The
types of goods are quite similar to those in Chatuchak Market, though
of a smaller size. Its advantage lies in its convenient location for
most visitors.
Buses : 2, 13, 17, 38, 54, 72, 73, 76, 77, 79, 139
|
Pratunam Market
Located on the intersection of Phetburi and Ratchaprarop roads, this
vast bazaar is packed with countless stalls and peddlers selling numerous
kinds of goods. By the way, it is an ideal place to buy fabrics and ready-to-wear
clothes at low prices.
Buses : 2, 13, 14, 17, 38, 54, 72, 73, 76, 77, 79 |
|
Banglamphu Market
Apart from hundreds of guesthouses, this area is a popular market for
both Thai and foreign tourists. Some good buys are ready-made clothes,
handbags, men's and ladies' shoes, cosmetics and curios.
Buses : 3, 6, 15, 19, 30, 32, 33, 43, 56, 64, 68, 82 |
Chinatown
This is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat
Road and the nearby section of Charoen Krung Road. There are many small
side streets full of shops and stalls selling all types of goods including
household wares and Chinese foodstuffs.
Yaowarat Road is also a centre
of gold shops which attract both Thai and foreign customers for their
large selections and excellent workmanship.
Buses : 1, 4, 7, 25, 35, 40, 53, 73
Read more
A Walking Tour In Chinatown: An Old Place With A New Look
Bo-be Centre
Bo-be is a renowned ready-to-wear clothing centre, both wholesale and
retail.
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