Shopping Paradise
Thailand is a paradise for shoppers. Regular visitors to Asia Know that, in many ways, Bangkok beats Hong Kong and Singapore for deals in terms of handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewelry, art and antiques. Nowhere else will you find the same selection, quality and price. Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but a most other places bargaining is a common practice and prices may be reduced by as much as thirty percent.
Shopping Streets
Bangkok has many shopping streets, which you can buy just about anything from clothes, souvenirs, all kinds of antiques and electrical goods. Generally, you can obtain a final figure ten-to-thirty percent lower than the original asking price. Much depends upon your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. With patience, and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price. You'll also come to recognize shopping in Bangkok as an art-form! Here is a selection of the many shopping streets visitors can enjoy:
Photo Credit: travel.kapook.com
Phat Phong Night Market (Phat Phong Road)
Apart from the colorful nightlife, where an amazing variety of bars, clubs, discotheques and other exotic venues exist, there is a pulsating night market to attract all-night revelers. This is where you can buy clothing and souvenirs of all kinds. Phat Phong lively night market spills over on Silom Road in one of the city's main commercial districts.
Photo Credit: tourbk.blogspot.com
Soi "Lalai Sap"
This is one of Bangkok's most popular lunch-time shopping area, located next to the Bangkok Bank headquarters on Thanon Silom. Starting just before noon, and closing not long after lunch breaks on weekdays only, the market is packed with office workers who shop for clothing, leather goods, food, gifts and knick-knacks. It is almost impossible to walk the through the tiny alley without spending some money, hence the name "Soi lalai Sap."
Siam Square (Thanon Rama I)
This area is brimming with restaurants, including the trendy Hard Rock Cafe, Center point; Discovery Center, Siam Center, cinemas, book shops and specialty stores. There is also a street market selling clothes and accessories. This area is most frequently visited by teenagers.
Pratu Nam
Located on the intersaction of Phetchaburi and Ratchadamri Road, this vast bazaar is jam-packed with stalls and countless peddlers which attract large crowds. This is where you can buy fabrics and ready-to-ware fashions. Also of interest here are open-air restaurants, a shopping complex and the soaring Baiyoke II Tower, the tellest apartment building in Southeast Asia.
Photo Credit: smeleader.com (Phatu Nam Market)
Bang Lamphu
A shopping area once frequently visited only by the local people and now a popular place for tourists. This area offer various inexpensive items, especially read-made clothes, handbags, men's and ladies shoes, cosmetics and curious. Bargaining is recommended.
Lang Krasuang and Woeng Nakhon Kasem
For moderately priced, second-hand goods, no other place is better suited than these two markets in Bangkok. The first is Lang Krasuang which is on Thanon Atsadang. The other is Woeng Nakhon Kasem, located around some of the smaller alleys of New Road, near Chinatown. Visitors will get a better bargain by talking along a Thai friend to haggle over prices! Both markets have goods from pawn shops; such as musical instruments, electrical goods, uniforms and camping equipment.
Photo Credit: posttoday.com (Khlog Thom Market)
Khlong Thom
Located near Chinatown, in the area around Maha Chak Road and Soi Chong Charoen Phanit, this market specializes in hardware such as wire-cutters, screwdrivers, and other kinds of tools. This area also features a market selling all kinds of antiques and electrical goods.
Icon Siam
Photo Credit: chingyunsong /Shutterstock.com and kapook.com
#Department Stores
Bangkok has a number of good quality department store chains such as Central Department Store, Central Worlds, Robinson, The Mall, Icon Siam, The Emporium, Thai Daimaru, and Isetan. These are usually located in major shopping plazas or mega-malls dotted around the city. Bangkok's top shoppers tend to frequent the following:
Peninsula Plaza (Ratchadamri Road)
Imported brand name labels, jewelry, top local fashion designers, gourmet shops.
Photo Credit:centralpattana.co.th
Central World (Ratchaprasong Intersection)
Mega mall where the young and trendy hang out. Zen Isetan Department stores, restaurant, cinemas, ice skating rink, Thailand Duty Free Shop.
Narayana Phand (Ratchadamri Road) opposite Central World
This is a handicraft centre, under government supervision. Visitors may inspect and buy selections of handicrafts from all parts of the country. Items available include Thai silk, ceramics, wood carvings, lacquerware, bronze objects and Khom masks. The store is open daily from 10:00 until 20:00 hours.
Gaysorn Plaza (Thanon Ploenchit)
Import brand neme clothing, trendy restaurants, imported household furnishings.
Photo Credit: mbk-center.co.th
Ma Bun Khrong (MBK) Shopping Centre
For those shoppers who enjoy a market-style atmosphere, in air-conditioned comfort. Ma Bun Khrong is the place to go. Located on the corner of Phayathai Road, it is packed with stalls selling everything from clothing and leather goods to electronical equipment, furniture, cosmetics and general gift items.
The Galleria Plaza
Shopping mall specializing in gems and jewelry. Located on Silom Road.
Siam Centre
Photo Credit: th.wikipedia.org
Siam Centre
Located on Rama I Road. Featuring mainly trendy fashions for the young and young-at-heart.
River City Shopping Centre
This shopping centre is known mostly for its quality antique stores and regular auctions. Most price are negotiable. Another Thailand Duty Free shop is located here. The shopping centre is next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel.
Seacon Square
Located on Srinagarindra Road, this is a mega mall that draws crowds of suburban Bangkokkians each weekend. It has everything for the whole family, including shops, cinemas, amusement park, wholesale supermarket, and restaurants.
Duty Free Shop
Thailand Duty Free Shop is the only government-operated, downtown duty free shop in Thailand. Located on the 7th floor of the Central World, Ratchadamri Road, it is open everyday from 11:00 until 20:30 hours. Featuring a wide range of quality products, Thailand Duty Free Shop enables tourists, and those going overseas, to choose their purchases at leisure, pay for them and them collect them later at the airport prior to departure.
Floating Market
Despite the emergence of the ubiquitour farm pick-ups, paddy farmers and orchard gardeners still continue to meet and barter their products in age-old trading spots on the canals (Khlongs). Early every morning, Sampans laden with all kinds of tropical fruits and vegetables and fresh products, wind their way to the floatingmarkets around Bangkok.
There is one particular floating market in Bangkok that visitors can enjoy: Taling Chan Floating Market in front of Taling Chan District Office, open from 09:00 to 17:00 hours. Boat trip services are available for sight-seeing along the canal where gardens and a village lifestyle are still to be seen. The market is also accesible by bus No.79 and 83 Which pass nearby. Contact Taling Chan District Office on telephone 0-2424-1742 for more information.
