Shopping in Bangkok
Markets
Chatuchak MarketThis is
a shop-a-holics dream and where you can probably find all the local craft
and fabric items you are looking for. This market is open on
weekends only and it is located at a walking distance south of the Mo Chit
Skytrain station.
Patpong Night Market. To go to the
famous nightmarket in "Soi Patpong" in the heart of the red light district. Take
the skytrain and get off at Saladeng station. The market is a
haven for fake goods but be warned; the quality is often quite poor and the
prices high.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market80 km
southwest of Bangkok in, Ratchaburi province, Damnoen Saduak is one of the largest and most
popular floating markets. Also known as Klong Lat Phli
Floating Market by the locals. The market is active in the mornings only,
from 6.00 am to 11.00 am.
If you want to take photos without hordes of tourists, get there
early. Air-conditioned buses leave for Damnoen Saduak every
half hour starting at 6.00 am from the southern bus terminal on Boromrat
Chonnani Road.
Several smaller and quieter floating markets are located in Ratchaburi and
nearby Samut Songkhram province. The best way to explore these markets is
to hire a long-tailed boat for around 300 baht an hour, (or less depending
on your bargaining powers). This area is approximately
a 1 hour car ride away.
As the market is on the outside of
the city centre, you may want to consider taking a tour which
combines the floating market with the Rose Gardens.
Shopping Centres
MBKNext to Siam Square,
this shopping centre is great for cheap electronics, gold shops and lots
of boutiques. It is where the teenage population of Bangkok
go shopping for clothes and accessories and is consequently packed at the
weekend.
Central World Plaza
Containing two departments stores, Zen and Isatan, this huge shopping
complex has a great selection of all types of shops and restaurants.
Siam SquareBehind the
old-fashioned Lido and Siam Multiplex movie theaters, there is a large
network of small and minuscule alleys with hundreds of clothes shops and
hair salons. The young and trendy hang out in this area!
Siam Center Connected to the Skytrain Siam station, Siam Center is a popular shopping mall.
It is connected to the much newer Siam Discovery Centre on the 4th
floor. The Discovery has an excellent cinema including "gold
class' seats, where they will serve you a gin and tonic whilst you relax
and enjoy the film in a huge reclining seat.
Central Chidlom This is the flag store of Central Department Store,
(see BTS map). A bridge to the Chitlom Skytrain station makes for
easy access.
EmporiumEmporium is of the top shopping centres and has boutiques from top designer names, stylish
cafes and an excellent book store. It is connected to the skytrain station.
Major Super Markets
Big C
Cheap and cheerful, this supermarket is excellent value. There
is a new large store in Pratunam.
Villa Super MarketVilla Supermarket is famous for top imported food products like
quality cheeses, sausages and wines. There are 3 of these stores on Sukhumvit
Road; in the Ploennchit Centre (very near the Amari Boulevard Hotel), opposite
Emporium Department store on Soi 33 and on Soi 49.
FoodlandFoodland is located opposite the Amari Boulevard Hotel on
Sukhumvit Soi 5 and in Patpong. Foodland is open 24 hours a day.
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