Where to Go Shopping in Bangkok
The bustling capital city of Thailand blends an interesting mix of culture, religion, and politics amidst the background of rapid urbanisation. It seems to have something for everybody, being the gateway to one of the tourist hotspots in the world. There are so many attractions to see, an endless array of dishes to taste, and a lot of souvenirs and knicknacks to fill one's bag with. Speaking of the latter, even other Asians go to this exotic urban jungle to hunt for the best deals and bargains.
Where can you find those? Here is a list of the places that matter in Bangkok's shopping scene:
- Ratchaprasong.
- Siam.
- Chatuchak.
- Khao San Road.
- Chinatown.
- Pantip.
- Mansion 7.
If you need your department store fix, visit Central Chidlom, the largest one in this area. Gaysorn Plaza is an upscale option, specialising in designer goods. Find traditional handicrafts at the Amarin. Big C, on the other hand, boasts of a large hypermarket, and a lot of other essential merchandise.
Get an amazing consumer experience at this commercial haven, which counts one of the biggest shopping centres in Asia (Paragon) as its resident. Often called the "battleground of the malls", this is the region's version of London's Bond Street. Include Central World, MBK, and the Square in your itinerary.
Pay your respects to this 35-acre must-go place, and be blown-away by the massive collection of merchandise available in many varieties, and at bargain rates. You can find all sorts of items, ranging from clothing to ceramics.
Backpackers and those who love purchasing things in a street setting will enjoy making their rounds here. The unusual, the second hand, the counterfeit, and even the kitschy, are peddled here. A wide gamut of services are also offered here. You can have foot massages, get dreadlocks, buy a hand-painted T-shirt (or watch it being done), or have a caricature of yourself drawn. Bar-hopping is also a favoured enterprise in this side of Bangkok.
There seems to be one like this in every country, and Thailand apparently is not an exception. Medicine stores, market stalls, gold shops (the most in the city) and restaurants pack this historic area. This is where the Chinese immigrants, who left their communist country of origin, settled down, and resumed conducting their main means of earning a living: trading.
If you are hankering for the latest technological products, head over to this IT plaza to find the gadget of your dreams.
Calling itself a "boutique thrill mall", a visit here is sure to be a unique experience. Get haunting encounters while making your way through its three zones (one of which is aptly named Neglected Garden). Michael Jackson would probably have loved to be here.
Don't get too caught up in the buying frenzy and remember to secure your valuables at all times. Complete your marketing adventure by trying your hand at haggling.