Bangkok have developed into one of the best and most popular shopping locations in Asia, and with good reason. Prices are low, quality generally high and the range and variety is pretty amazing – silks, gemstones, tailor-made clothes and traditional handicrafts are all highlights of Bangkok shopping. There are literally thousands of shopping areas, stores, shops, shopping malls, book stores, department stores, antiques shops, art galleries, comuter stores and day and night markets in Bangkok.
Clothing, silks, cotton, batik, lacquerware, pewter, wooden carvings, ceramics, furniture, antiques, handicrafts, shoes, silver jewellery and gemstones are just a few of the items on offer.
Most vendors and staff at stores and shops speak good enough English, though non-fixed prices are often bargained by you and the vendor taking turns in typing numbers into a calculator. It’s worth learning how to say the numbers in Thai – this is easy, will save the calculator routine and may well get you cheaper prices too.
Street stalls, shops and stores on the street will generally have lower prices for the same product than those paying premium rents in hotel shops and stores and some higher end shopping centers and department stores. The price difference can also reflect on the quality of the product though.
Most shops seem to be open from 10.00am to 10.00 pm seven days a week, and nightmarkets carry on even after this time – all convenient in being able to go shopping at basically any time you want. Buying a shopping map can be useful in order to get the most out of shopping in Bangkok – despite the garish colours, the ‘Nancy Chandler’ map is actually pretty useful and probably the best.
Shopping Tips
Weekend Shopping Market
The well known and famous weekend market located at the Mo Chit Station(BTS) packed with everything you need and this country produces. You can buy all you need and want in a cheap price range, provided that you have a bargaining skills.
MBK
MBK (Mah Boon Korn) – 6 floors shopping mall with lots of small shops selling assorted goods, from jeans, sport shoes, handicrafts, copy bags, computer hardware, to hand phone accessories.
Siam Shopping Centre
With only one street across MBK Center, the shops in Siam Center are different from those in MBK. It feature branded clothing, fashion boutiques and accessories, and restaurants.
Night Market
Bangkok’s largest night market where you can find practically everything. Clothing, clocks, watches, leather goods, silk, souvenirs, etc, but you must be able to bargain well! The main products on sale are ready-to-wear garments with many imitation brand name items, Versace, Gucci, Levi’s, Nike, etc
Designers Label
This curiously-named up market mall near the World Trade Center is full of designer-label shops such as Fendi and Prada. Several local designer-label shops are present and some pricey jewellery stores too. This place will definitely stretch your credit card!
Asia Book
Want to buy an English book in Bangkok? If you do, it’s worth checking out Asia Books. As well as imports, you can find a surprisingly large number of locally-published English language books – useful if you want to delve deeper into the local culture.
Phantip Plaza
If you need anything for your computer? There is only one place to buy this and that is at Panthip Plaza, on Petchburi road near the Amari Watergate Hotel. Everything under the sun and computer related can be found here. With seven floors of shopping heaven for computer buffs, copy is the thing in Panthip Plaza.