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Shopping Districts in or near Bangkok.
As you would expect, Bangkok, the
capital city of Thailand - and arguably it's No1 tourist centre - has
many, and varied shopping areas within easy reach. Many are still used
by Thai people, but increasingly are catering for the tourist visitor.
What a choice there is! |
You can mingle with Thais, and maybe pick up a few hints on how to bargain - even if you do not know the Thai language. Body language will teach you much. And bargain you must, for that is at the heart of shopping in Thailand. Not for the faint-hearted, but once you realise that bargaining (bartering) is an essential part of Thai shopping, then the experience will be more rewarding - financially and emotionally! It should soon become apparent if bargaining is not on the agenda - for there will be no smile. Bartering, bargaining, asking for discount, is all part of the excitement for westerners, whilst is is a more serious part of survival for many Thais. Be gentle, be satisfied, don't push too far.
MBK Shopping Centre - Platinum Shopping Mall - Siam Paragon Shopping - Suan Lum Night Bazaar : Chatuchak Weekend Market : Phahurat Indian Market : Amulets Market - Ta Prachan
Chatuchak
- Bangkok's largest market, with a huge range of goods to choose
from. Whether or not you get a bargain in a million is dependent
upon your own level of bartering expertise. Even without bargaining,
you will be happy with the prices! Chatuchak Market is well known
for fashion and traditional clothes, used books, local and regional
artwork, fighting cocks, and virtually anything to brighten up the
home by way of decoration. Oh, and cheap food!
Ratchaprasong in Pathumwan - If you are young enough - or at
least feel young enough, then the Ratchaprasong area is the shopping
area for you! Teenage fashion everywhere - great fun to be part of,
but maybe need a drink later to calm down :-) The most popular is
the Siam Paragon - a huge shopping mall - probably the largest in
South East Asia! Also near to are Siam Square (Center Point),
Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Ma Boon Krong Center, Gaysorn, Central
World Plaza, Big C and Sogo (Ratchaprasong) Basically everything for
the younger generation - not just the teens! This includes clothing,
fashion accessories, home decorations, bags, bags and more bags, top
brand names, mobiles, and all the food you want - both international
and fast!
The Pantip Computer and IT Centre in Bangkok where you can go shopping for all manner of computer and electronic gear. Together with this there are fantastic bargains to be had with DVD's and CD Roms. We understand that they all work ok, but they will be priced at just a fraction of the normal cost!! Most computer stock will be priced very very competitive, with prices ranging for around 50% of what you would normally expect to pay in Europe.
Yaowaraj - Yauwarat - Phahurat,
Baan Mor, Samphang - Samphan - areas. - A wide range of goods
here in these areas. Anything from gold to clothing; Electrical
goods to flowers! jewelry of course, locally made goods and fabrics,
and it claims to be the oldest most traditional shopping centre in
Thailand. There is also an evening market.
Pak klong Talad - This old market, selling mainly fruit,
vegetables and flowers, is the largest market of it's kind in
Thailand. It is not far from the Memorial Bridge on the bank of the
river Chao Praya - so easy to find. Famous for hand making flower
arrangements, it is very busy in mornings and evenings.
Klong-Thom Market - Sells everything - especially old and
second-hand items such as clothes, shoes, CDs' DVD,s. It is open
each day of the week and also in the evenings on Saturdays and
Sundays. It has the nickname of the Dark Market! looking at some of
the goods, it is easy to see why. Be aware that the market has a
reputation to live up - or down - to! Buy second hand electrical
goods at with care, and as we say in the west - Let the buyer
beware!
Bo Be Market - Bo Bae - in
central Bangkok is a great place to go as a spectator (for a
tourist). Don't get in the way of the real business of the market -
which is wholesale clothing items only (Mostly!) You will need to
buy a dozen (12) at least of any item to raise any interest. Far
better to allow real wholesale buyers take the stage here and just
enjoy! Busy all day long, but extra busy early in the morning. For
bulk buyers - providing they get the bartering and price haggling
right - there is no cheaper market in Bangkok. The true art of price
bargaining is seen here! It is not far from the city's main railway
station at Hua Lom Pong, (Krung Kasem Road).
Tawanna IT - near Bangkapi Mall Shopping Center. - If it can
be plugged in or played - it will be here! Tawanna is a huge open
warehouse (indoors) that houses many stalls and counters for all
products related to IT, phones, computers, players, CD's DVD's etc
etc etc. There are a few clothing/fashion outlets as well, but it is
the electrical and electronics gear which is the main attraction.
Prices are good - very good - but you will need to bargain, or
better still get a Thai friend to do it for you.
Get there by canal boat (klong) or your usual taxi.
Pratunam and Pratunam Market
- Cheap prices, great quality, designer labels (!) You must be at
Pratunam!
Large market where Thais and foreigners mix freely in search of
shopping bags full of bargains! Indeed a large shopping bag is a
necessity here because you will not be able to resist the prices! Be
prepared for a long time walking round. As well as the mainstay of
clothes stalls, there are also plenty of computer games, electrical
bits and pieces, and other things! Those designer labels you were
always jealous about are here - see if you can tell the difference
between them and the real thing! Your friends won't, so load up and
make them all envious!
If it can be worn - or in the case of swimwear - nearly be worn -
then it will be here somewhere. You may have to get a few friends to
gather round if you want to try something on, but your on holiday -
what the heck!
Once there, don't bother trying to find your way round - just go.
You will find the way out eventually - maybe!
Saphanput (Memorial Bridge) -
Sapanput (memorial bridge area) - as this is a night market,
don't expect to find any bargains in the day. If it comes to that,
don't bother looking for the market in the day. In the day, it is
just a street, but boy, does it come alive after 5.30, and then
rocks until 1.00 am.! A real cool place, as the hundreds of Teen
Thais will testify to. Clothes. junk, snacks and drinks etc. They
are all here, and they are all cool! Roadside artists are to be seen
- and of course their products, together with antiques, and other
locally made artworks and other things!
Not open on Wednesday, and is on the Bangkok side of the old bridge
which connects Bangkok and Thonburi.
