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Shopping (4)
Chatuchak is the undisputed champion of all the markets in Bangkok and, dare we say, the world! With more than 15,000 individual stalls sprawling across 35 acres, the market contains goods ranging from locally made handicrafts such as bamboo mats, lamps and other household accessories to religious artifacts, cool clothes, art, antiques and peculiar pets and plants.
At first glance the overwhelming display might seem random, but there is some method behind the madness. The outer rim of the market usually features plants, gardening equipment and some used clothing, while the stalls in the inner sections deal in clothing, souvenir items, jewellery and household decor. Towards the back and north ends of the market is where most of the exotic plants, fish and other animal life is contained. New air-conditioned sections of the market have also appeared in recent years, giving tired shoppers a nice reprieve from the heat.
Near the Khamphaeng Phet MRT station are clothing, artwork and antique stalls.There is also the royally sponsored Phu Fa shop that sells handicrafts and some handsome items designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, with proceeds from the sales going to fund development-based projects in rural parts of the country. To help you navigate the maze, free maps are available at a booth in the parking lot of Chatuchak (also called “JJ” by Thais) and the colourfully detailed Nancy Chandler Maps can be found at leading bookstores.
Besides a map, make sure you bring a bottle of water, a folding fan and your most diplomatic haggling skills. As a rule, the prices in Chatuchak are usually lower than at the other popular tourist markets such as Patpong and the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, and the quality is often substantially better, so it’s best to be a gracious haggler and keep it all in fun. Also, be careful when purchasing antiques as there are a number of fakes wafting around the market. To take a genuine antique out of the country requires a permit, but you will also need a permit if a fake is good enough to fool the customs officer.
To get the most out of a Chatuchak Market experience, head there early in the morning when the weather is a bit cooler and the crowds a lot lighter. The market is accessible from either the Mo Chit Skytrain station or the subway stops of either Chatuchak or Khamphaeng Phet.
Shopping hours: Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm; Fridays the market is open to wholesalers, but the public can shop as well. Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7am to 6pm the Garden Plants section is open.
Located around the corner from Silom Road and across from Lumphini Park is the colourful and eclectic Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Less chaotic and claustrophobic than Chatuchak Market, this huge night bazaar is Bangkok’s equivalent of an all inclusive entertainment and shopping plaza. The outdoor market is packed with about 3,700 shops selling gift items, sa paper, ceramics, silk clothing, home decor and a number of only-in-Thailand products called OTOP. There are also a few stalls featuring stylish and originally designed dresses, handbags, jewellery made from precious stones and re-fitted denim items.
Unlike Chatuchak, Suan Lum follows a fairly well-laid out grid system that’s divided into zones with sois, or lanes, bearing the names of Siam’s old royal capitals like Ayutthaya, Sukhothai and Lop Buri. In Zones A, B and C you’ll find an array of aromatic goodies, such as handmade candles, soaps and aromatherapy products. For luxurious scented products head to Raan Bai Mai (Ayuthaya Soi 3, B96), the official supplier of the exclusive Banyan Tree resorts. For cheaper products try a small no-name shop (Ayuttaya Soi 9, C263) that carries aromatic oils, burners and incense sticks.
Zone D features some funky furniture items, traditional Thai artworks, tapestries and other decorative items to liven up your home. Check out Fabiola Design in Lop Buri, D519 (www.fabioladesign.com) for some hand-designed picture frames and other home decorations. And where else could you find necklaces, candle-holders and even vases made from paper (that’s right, paper) but at Paper Art and Decor (Lop Buri Soi 3 Lot D, www.paperartanddecor.com) You can also order from them on the Internet or buy wholesale.
But shopping is far from the only pleasure at Suan Lum. There’s also a mini-spa with reflexology and traditional Thai massages to rub you the right way. Near the
entrance is a massive beer garden and food court. On-stage nightly is a cabaret-style show of starring hip young Thai singers and dancers belting out current English and local hits.
The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre (for traditional Thai puppetry) and the BEC Tero Hall (for performances by international acts) are other main attractions at the night bazaar.
Over the years the Thai capital has truly developed into a world-class city for shoppers. Whether it’s a gleaming mall packed with designer labels or a relaxed stroll through a vibrant market full of exotic goods, colourful textiles and handmade jewellery, then Bangkok has everything to suit the tastes of the most discerning shop-a-holic or bargain-hunter.
Astonishing antiques, sumptuous handicrafts, local fashion labels, and home furnishings galore are all within walking distance of each other in different shopping areas scattered all over the city. And you can take your pick of where to pick them up
Ultra-modern shopping centres such as Siam Discovery, Gaysorn Plaza and the newly erected Siam Paragon, are all located on the city’s “shopping strip” in Siam. The area is conveniently located in the heart of the city, clustered around the Siam BTS (or Skytrain) Station, and provides endless hours of potential shopping and entertainment; exhausted consumers can also take a cappuccino break at one of the trendy cafes in the area or take in a movie at one of the state-of-the-art cinemas. This multifaceted area is also renowned for its maze of stalls (overflowing with trendy clothes and shoes), which are highly popular with Thai teenagers and university students.
Around the corner is the newly renovated Central World Plaza and further on, another new addition to the Thai shopping scene, the Platinum Mall, located in the city’s garment district. Just down the road is Pantip Plaza, seven floors of one-stop shopping for all your electronic and computer needs.
For a taste and an eyeful of Bangkok’s thriving bazaars, the Chatuchak Weekend Market, in the north of the city, is the biggest and best. From home decorations and elegant artworks to exquisitely Thai handicrafts and exotic pets, you’ll find them here.
Along Silom Road and in the nearby Suan Lum Night Bazaar are teeming street markets. On Silom, and down Patpong Road, shoppers are spoiled for choice: flashy clothes, fancy watches, sandstone carvings of Hindu deities, trainers and luggage. Don’t be afraid to ask for discounts, as bargaining is all part of the game of shopping in Thailand. Both of these shopping strips are easily reached via the skytrain or the MRT subway.
Further away from the city centre is the historic Chinatown, known for its vast array of street delicacies. It’s also a treasure trove for electronic goods, gold jewellery and Chinese-style arts and crafts. Nearby is Pahurat, or Little India, which is the largest textile market in the country. Locals, tourists and tailors all flock here to purchase a bedazzling array of fabrics for the home or to be tailor-made into any kind of garment.
Khaosan Road, immortalized in The Beach as ground zero for backpackers in Southeast Asia, is still awash with youthful exuberance, but it’s gone upscale in recent years. This is good news for shoppers and clubbers. In addition to the usual ensemble of fishermen’s trousers, hair extensions, backpacks and sterling silver jewellery, the street now comes complete with a shopping complex called Buddy Village, and outlets for Boots, Burger King and McDonald’s. With so many shopping options in Bangkok the best thing to do is to read over these sections and plan your own consumer excursion. But always budget some extra time for ‘discoveries.’ After all, half the thrill of shopping is discovering a new shop you’d never heard about, seeing the perfect gift for that special someone, or just buying yourself a little reward to cap off that perfect holiday.
Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise where you can find just about everything from expensive brand name goods to cheap knockoffs all within easy walking distance. Daytime shopping can be hot and sweaty if you do it outdoors and can leave you absolutely exhausted afterwards. What better way to increase your stamina by exploring the various air conditioned malls hunting for bargain in style and comfort.
A series of excellent shopping malls are located between BTS ( elevated train ) stations Chit Lom and Siam, where you can find just about anything under the sun. After sunset, check out the outdoor shopping arcades of Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Patpong Night Market for some serious bargains and unique products. For the brave hearts, check out Chatuchak Weekend Market, a bustling weekend bazaar unlike any place on earth. It is hot, humid, but loads of fun. Be prepared to literally rub shoulders with the locals.
CentralWorld Shopping Complex - With 550,000 square metres of retail space and a total area size of 830,000 square metres that is 30% larger than any other shopping centre in central Bangkok, CentralWorld is now officially the largest lifestyle shopping complex in Southeast Asia, with an unrivalled mix of products and services at prices that put the fun back into shopping for Thai consumers and tourists. www.centralworld.co.th
Siam Paragon - This shopping and entertainment complex is an upmarket, five-storey colossus with 500,000 square metres of retail space. The gleaming, modern mall opened in December 2005 at a cost of 15 billion baht (US$ 375 million), and is home to more than 250 famed international and local luxury brands. There is also Underwater World on the Basement floor, another popular tourist attraction. www.siamparagon.co.th
MBK Shopping Centre - The multi-storey MBK, or Mah Boon Krong, is very popular with both tourists and locals. Its 2,000 shops sell everything from food, clothing, accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture and various electrical gadgets. MBK is especially crowded weekends, when holiday shoppers combined with holiday makers converge on MBK for some serious bargain hunting. www.mbk-center.com
The Emporium - The Emporium is like a glossy magazine come to life. Behold the seven layers of shopper’s paradise, where the first three floors are dedicated solely to fashion. Exclusive world-class brand names dominate the ground floor, hot international designer items, leather and jewellery the first floor, and glamorous garb for the young and trendy, the second. Fashionistas, this is your playground. www.emporiumthailand.com
Siam Center - Siam Center is one of the oldest malls in Thailand, constructed in 1976, this original looks good for her age, thanks to the panoply of bright and playful shops and the ever-younger and fresher clientele, expending their reeling energies and pocket money. Having gone through a few revamping exercises, this mall targets adolescents, and has a loyal and fashionable following. Siam Centre contains about 300 shops, 20 restaurants and a cheerful and spacious food court. www.siamcenter.co.th
Amarin Plaza - The stylish Amarin Plaza is linked to Erawan Bangkok via a skybridge. The five-storey shopping plaza has an almost festive aura to it, drawing in a mixed crowd - from affluent Thais to expats and business travellers - with highly desirable brand names such as Guy Laroche, Valentino and Crocodile, to name but a few. www.amarinplaza.com
Gaysorn Plaza - Gaysorn is a luxurious, upmarket white marble and gleaming chrome complex housing exclusively high-end luxury goods and designer labels. Its contemporary design and an innovative retail concept create a very exclusive shopping experience. Expect to find a wide range of highly desirable international brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Hugo Boss, to name but a few, as well as a selection of Thailand’s most innovative designers such as Fly Now, ’Senada Theory and Kloset Red Carpet. www.gaysorn.com
Siam Discovery - This trendy shopping complex is still a favourite among Bangkok’s younger and fashionable crowds. Opposite Siam Square, this modern centre adjoins Siam Centre and showcases a good selection of shops,
restaurants and designer fashion outlets. Expect popular local fashion designers and global brand names as well as European established names, as well as a number of home d?cor and hip interior design stores. Guess? DKNY, Shiseido, Mac, Swarovski and many more. Asia Books and Habitat have branches here too. A huge cinema complex is located on the top floor, while the ground floor houses popular coffee hangouts including Starbucks and Au Bon Pain. www.siamcenter.co.th
Suan Lum Night Bazaar - A mixture of poshly dressed, fresh-from-the-office Thai’s and expats along with fisherman pant-clad tourists, Suan Lum could best be described as the VIP outdoor market of Bangkok (where you’re always welcome, of course). Covered walkways with centrally-located snack bars provide perhaps the most luxurious (outdoor) market shopping experience in the city. Several bars along with Thai, Italian, German, and even Mexican restaurants are conveniently within the market area, close enough to analyze the crowd while enjoying a drink, yet away from the market’s hustle-and-bustle. In the same area, dinner shows featuring classical Thai puppetry can be enjoyed at the famous Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. www.suanlum-nightbazaar.com
Patpong Night Market - After recently cleaning up its act, Patpong’s become one of the ’must’ night shopping destinations for avid shoppers. Found in the built-up area known as Silom, the place is always busy and chaotic with all the commotion from the GO-GO bars nearby and lots of foreign tourists. This market in Bangkok’s notorious nightlife district is often the first and easiest stop for many tourists just arriving to Bangkok, whilst lodging at one of several mid-to-upper-end hotels in Silom.
Chatuchak Weekend Market - Covering 70 rai (35 acres) of land with over 15,000 stalls and more than 200,000 visitors every Saturday and Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is the mother of all markets - and possibly one of the biggest and most famous markets in the world. If bargain-hunting gives you an adrenalin rush, get ready for a head-spinning, earth-moving experience. Conquering this massive market is no easy feat though. The reward for taking a lot of patience along - together with a bottle of water - is that you can find pretty much anything here. www.jjmarketplace.com
Source : Tourism Authority of Thailand
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