Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

BANGKOK

BANGKOK

SHOPPING

BANGKOK

SHOPPING

attached Siam Center, Thailand’s fi rst shop-
ping centre built in 1976, has recently gone
under the redesign knife for a younger, hip-
per look. Youth fashion is its new focus, and
several local labels, ranging from anr to se-
nada*, can be found on the 2nd fl oor.

Siam Paragon MALL
(Map p 86 ; Th Phra Ram I; BTS Siam) The biggest
and glitziest of Bangkok’s shopping malls,
Siam Paragon is more of an urban park
than shopping centre. Astronomically luxe
brands occupy most fl oors, while the major-
ity of shoppers hang out in the refl ecting
pool atrium or basement-level food court.
The 3rd fl oor is home to Kinokuniya, Thai-
land’s largest English-language bookstore.

Gaysorn Plaza MALL
(Map p 86 ; cnr Th Ploenchit & Th Ratchadamri; BTS
Chit Lom) A haute couture catwalk, Gaysorn’s
spiralling staircases and all-white halls pre-
serve all of fashion’s beloved designers in
museum-curatorship style. Local fashion
leaders occupy the 2nd fl oor ‘Thai Fashion
Chic’, while the top fl oor is a stroll through
home decor, highlights of which are the
eclectic D&O Shop, the fragrant soaps at
Thann and the Asian-infl uenced ceramics
at Lamont.

Central World Plaza MALL

(Map p 86 ; cnr Th Ratchadamri & Th Phra Ram I;

BTS Chit Lom). Bangkok’s hippest mall suf-

fered greatly during the unrest of April

2010, but the vast majority of shops are

open again and Zen department store was

being rebuilt at research time. There’s an ex-

trahuge branch of bookstore B2S, and you

could spend an hour sniffi ng around the fra-

grances at Karmakamet.

Emporium SHOPPING CENTRE

(Map p 92 ; 622 Th Sukhumvit, cnr Soi 24; BTS Ph-

rom Phong; h10am-10pm) You might not have

access to the beautiful people’s nightlife

scene, but you can observe their spending

rituals at this temple to red hot and clas-

sic cool. For something cheekily local, check

out Propaganda, home to Mr P, brainchild

of Thai designer Chaiyut Plypetch, and who

appears in anatomically correct cartoon

lamps and other products.

Pantip Plaza IT MALL

(Map p 86 ; 604 Th Petchaburi; BTS Ratchathewi)

North of Siam Sq, this place is fi ve storeys

of computer and software stores ranging

from legit to fl ea market. Many locals come

here to buy ‘pirated’ software and computer

peripherals, but the crowds and touts (‘DVD

sex?’) make it among the more tiring shop-

ping experiences in town.

MARKETING STRATEGY

Bangkok’s shopping options can be a bit overwhelming. So to help you burn your baht

more effi ciently, we’ve put together a brief cheat sheet.

Malls

» (^) Gaysorn Plaza (p 137 ) Great for upscale handicrafts and souvenirs.
» (^) Siam Center (p 136 ) A goldmine of local fashion labels.
» (^) MBK Center (p 136 ) Cheap mobile phones and other electronics.
» Pantip Plaza (p 137 ) Several floors of computer gear.
» Siam Paragon (p 137 ) Luxury labels, from Lamborghini to Fendi.
» (^) Siam Discovery Center (p 136 ) Funky home furnishings.
Markets
» (^) Chatuchak Weekend Market (p 140 ) Souvenirs or a vintage tracksuit – they’re all here.
» (^) Nonthaburi Market (p 142 ) The most picturesque fresh market in the area, but get
there early – ideally before 7am.
» Pak Khlong Market (p 142 ) Show up late-late for the visual poetry that is the nightly
flower market.
» Pratunam Market (p 142 ) Acres of cheap togs, much of it for less than you’d pay for
a pair of socks at home.
» (^) Talat Rot Fai (p 142 ) Bangkok’s version of the Antiques Road Show.