The array of shopping experiences in Bangkok goes far beyond a walk in a mall or a morning spent browsing a market. Shopping in Bangkok is a day and night activity that runs parallel with the best in the West, while also offering a flavor of the cultural distinctiveness of the East. Work your way through these popular shopping places in Bangkok, and you will soon realize why Bangkok is a popular retail hub.
Things to purchase in Bangkok are countless in varieties and endless in quantity. It is possible for any of us to buy an item that captures our hearts as Bangkok is a sophisticated place for shopping. There are plenty of shopping places in Bangkok, leaving people confused about which one to choose among them. This city provides several wallet-friendly shopping centers and shops.
Cheap shopping in Bangkok could be experienced in both markets and shopping malls. Each of these places surprises shoppers with many stores, ranging from 500 to 8000.
One golden rule to get the best purchases in the markets in Bangkok is bargaining. This rule can be used in any market. It also works well at malls like Pan Tip Plaza and Platinum Fashion Mall where wholesale is the focus.
Here, you will find a list of popular shopping places in Bangkok, with reasons that make them unique.
Platinum Fashion Mall
It is the best place to shop in Bangkok. It is a perfect place for fashion lovers. You will get every fashionable thing from head to toe including clothes, hats, belts, cosmetics, handbags, and shoes. There are things for everyone including adolescents, kids, men, women, and the elderly. Also, you will stuff for every occasion like swimwear, evening wear, sport, or workwear.
Fashion clothes with a remarkable range of styles: Fashionable clothes available here come from different fashion hubs like Japan, Korea, China, and Hong Kong and thus the range of styles available here is wonderful. You can here find items that are trending and stuff that makes you live on the edge.
Street shopping inside a shopping mall: The Platinum Fashion Mall is often compared to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, except that shopping here is done indoors. Unlike a typical mall, Platinum is where price tags are not fixed. So, you can experience the fun of street shopping within the boundaries of an air-conditioned room.
Siam Paragon
Siam Paragon is one of the popular shopping places in Bangkok, which houses a wide variety of international high-end fashion brands, Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, a 16-screen Cineplex, and a complete range of world cuisine. Situated prominently in front of the Siam BTS Skytrain station- the interchange of the 2 BTS lines- it is regarded by many as the center of Bangkok.
Considering the mall consists of more than 250 stores., the layout is logical and compact when compared to the sparkling Central World mall located nearby. Even so, this mall offers mainly luxury goods for well-heeled Thais as well as international customers with money to splurge. If you are searching for something extra-special, then Siam Paragon is the right place to be.
Pan Tip Plaza
This place is a one-stop-shop for electronics. Its thousands of shops make up a huge place for electronics of all types. From computer software to hardware to various tech-related gadgets, you name it, Pantip Plaza has everything.
It is also the best market in Bangkok for buying computers. It is simply because most of the large computer shops in this building have their focus on wholesaling computers and its tool from various popular brands. So, buyers have several options to select from and can get things at wholesale and competitive prices.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
It is one of the largest markets in the world. Its land size is big, covering an area of almost 35 acres. The number of shops is vast with around 8000 stalls. The place brims over products of all types as a result. While Chatuchak Weekend Market covers everything you can imagine, exclusive sections worth checking out are rare to find ceramics, antiques, souvenirs, and home furniture.
This market is the best place for buying Thai handicrafts in Bangkok. Get some attractive handicrafts while touring Chatuchak Market if you plan to bring home something genuinely Thai. The product range is wide; the quality is high; the prices are competitive among stores. These are some of the reasons why you must visit Chatuchak Market when in Bangkok, Thailand.
With several food courts, this place is a street food paradise. Local people and tourists would agree that Chatuchak Market is one of the popular places to enjoy street food. You can find varieties of delicious foods from its 500 food stalls. Crispy pancakes, Thai coconut ice cream, and fried chicken are just awesome.
Union Mall
This is a great alternative to street markets and tourist malls. Sometimes, the crowds in the other budget shopping locations are just unbearable so that young locals visit the Union Mall alternatively. This mall has airy walkways filled with stores from end-to-end.
Here, you will find unique boutique stores with high-quality items. Among the shopping mall’s 1000 retail stores, there is many boutique stores that sell unique and trendy clothes designed by young local designers. You will not find similar items anywhere else.
This is yet another place for Japanese and Korean fashion. Whether you are into Kpop or Jpop, Union Mall has a wide range of these fashion styles to fit your requirements. All designs look stylish and trendy and are perfect for young people.
Asiatique – Riverside Area
Situated at the riverbank of the Chao Phraya River is the new riverfront market, Asiatique was inaugurated in 2012.
Asiatique is a great place to enjoy shopping and dining. Here, you will find nice restaurants and awesome Thai street food. Asiatique is a combination of a night market but also a shopping mall as it has both indoor stores and open-air shops. Here, you find a combination of Asian, European, and American food and shopping centers. Though Asiatique is a great place to go for dining and shopping, you can enjoy some great entertainment and shows also.
Calypso Cabaret Show
Calypso Bangkok is a wonderful and fun-filled cabaret show by attractive ladyboys with lots of music and dancing. Purchase your tickets online and get picked up from your hotel and return to your hotel in the evening once you have finished your shopping. You can also enjoy dinner included in your ticket. Or purchase the Calypso cabaret tickets after coming here (without the dinner and transport) to avoid the ticket line to ensure you get a seat.
Muay Thai or Thai Boxing
Muay Thai Live is an interesting, action-filled, and energetic Thai boxing show. You will not only be able to see Muay Thai fights but also learn about the history, traditions, and culture of the sport. Purchase your Muay Thai Live tickets online to avoid the huge ticket line. Or purchase Muay Thai tickets online and avoid the ticket line. Or purchase Muay Thai tickets including transport to/ from Asiatique and your hotel.
Thai Puppet Theatre
Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theatre is a fun and lovely traditional Thai Puppet show. The puppets are beautifully embellished and the actors handling the puppets are talented. Buy your Joe Louis Thai Puppet tickets online so that you avoid the ticket line and avoid being upset if it is sold out.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
You cannot leave Bangkok, Thailand without having a shopping experience on the conventional long-tail boat. Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Bangkok. You will find yourself encircled by sellers on wooden boats that sell piles of vegetables and fruits grown in their souvenirs, orchards, handicrafts, and clothes. Do not forget to try the tasty sticky mango rice, pork skewers, and coconut ice cream being sold here. This picturesque and booming floating market will make shopping in Bangkok an unforgettable experience!
Pratunam Market
This is one of the popular shopping places in Bangkok with thousands of stalls selling bikinis, t-shirts, faux jewelry, safari pants, shoes, and belts. You must bargain here as everything is available at an affordable price. Though it is popular for wholesale, you can purchase one or two items here.
While enjoying the weekend getaways from Bangkok, you must make sure you do shopping in these places too.
Do you know any other places where one can enjoy shopping in Bangkok? If so, please comment.