Bangkok is known for many things: ornate temples, delectable food, and vibrant nightlife. All these make the Thai capital a juggernaut in the world of tourism. But if there’s one more thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s an opportunity to shop ’til you drop.
All throughout Bangkok, you’ll find colossal fashion malls and street markets, each offering a different shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for luxury designer labels, global brands, or unique homegrown favorites, there is a shopping center for you. In this article, let’s break down some of the city’s largest and most popular shopping establishments. (This list is in no particular order.)
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Officially opened in 1942, the Chatuchak Market is a sprawling shopping mecca that has been drawing both local and foreign shoppers and vendors. Welcoming more than 200,000 visitors, it is inarguably the busiest in the country. Composed of over 15,000 stalls, manned by 11,500 vendors in a 35-acre land area, it is dubbed as the largest and most diverse weekend market in the world.
For sale here is a full gamut of products imaginable, grouped into 30 sections. A market map can be usually seen at the entrance gate areas. To maximize your time here, you can take a photo of the map to guide you while you shop. Note that there are three entrance gates: on Kamphaeng Phet 2 (Entrance 1), on Kamphaeng Phet 3 (Entrance 2), and on Phahonyothin Road (Entrance 3).
To give you an overview, here are the stuff you’ll see per section:
Section 1 & 29: Antiques, Accessories, Books, Thai Instruments
Section 2-4: Teen Clothings and Accessories
Section 5-6: Used Clothings and Shoes
Section 7: Arts & Painting
Section 8: Carvings, Spa, Incense
Section 9-11: Handcraft & Artificial Flowers
Section 12, 14, 21-24: Clothing, Accessories, Shoes
Section 13: Postcards, Souvenirs, Pet/Animal Stuff
Section 15, 19-20: Tableware, Ceramic, Silver, Home Decorations
Section 16-18: Clothing, Hiking Equipment, Leather
Section 25: Ceramic & Silk
Section 26: Antiques, Home Decorations, Photo Frames
Section 27-28: Handcrafts, Books, Miscellaneous, Others
Section 30: Clothing & Miscellaneous
Food stalls are mostly clustered in one area near Entrance 1. Others are scattered around the market hallways. So, flex your bargaining muscles and shop to your heart’s content!
If you ever get hungry from all the bargaining, there are plenty of dining options around, serving various Thai dishes. But what we recommend is Moo Yang Mae Sumontha, a hidden stall inside Chatuchak Market serving moo yang (grilled pork). But its version is roasted honey glazed, which is incredibly tender, succulent, and properly cooked.
Location: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Nearest Stations: Chatuchak Park MRT Station, Chatuchak Park BTS Station, or Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station
Opening Hours:
Saturday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM (Whole Market);
Friday, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Wholesale Only);
Wednesday-Thursday, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM (Plant Section Only).
Pratunam Market
With retail stores spread across Ratchaprarop and Phetchaburi Roads in Ratchathewi District, Pratunam Market is one of the biggest wholesale garment markets in the country. It features both indoor and outdoor shopping areas, touting mostly clothes and accessories. But other products like toiletries, toys, medicines, and houseware are also available.
Although the stores generally cater to wholesalers, they still happily accommodate retail buyers or those who buy in small quantities. Haggling is normal, so don’t be shy to negotiate the price when you see something you really like and feel like you can still get it at a much lower price.
Don’t forget to check out Pratunam Center, a building at the heart of Pratunam. If you are more comfortable shopping outside, just be careful of the passing vehicles.
Location: Ratchatewi District, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Ratchathewi BTS Station
Opening Hours: The market is open 24/7, but most shops start operating at 11:00 AM. The best time to shop is between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
Platinum Fashion Mall
On the other side of Petchaburi Road and across the Pratunam Market area, Platinum Fashion Mall entices shopaholics and fashionistas from around the globe. Showcasing a plethora of fashion styles and products, it is one of the largest and most favored wholesale and retail shopping destinations in Thailand.
From Thai designer collections to the latest international trends, it delights shoppers on the hunt for clothes, accessories, footwear, and leather goods. The majority of the shops caters to women, but the entire Level 4 is dedicated to men’s wear. But on the first three floors, you’ll still find men’s clothes and unisex stores every dozen of stalls or so. It is composed of more than 2,500 shops, housed in a multi-level air-conditioned building. It’s not just about volume, though. It’s also diverse. You’ll find something for you regardless of your age, gender or body type! You just need to comb through each floor.
For your shopping guide, here are the item categories per floor/level:
- 6th Level (Food Center): Food & Beverage, Souvenirs, Mobile Accessories
- 5th Level (Orchard): Kids, Leathers, Accessories
- 4th Level (Camden): Men, Leather Products
- 3rd Level (Nathan): Women, Men
- 2nd Level (Oxford): Women
- 1st Level (Soho): Women, Information Counter
- Basement Level (Ginza): Jeans, Fashion Clothes, Food & Beverage
You might get lost in the maze-like colorful hallways that look similar. Just set a specific place and time to meet your companions after your shopping spree.
For foodies, you will find most of the dining places on Level 6 and the Basement Level. The Food Center, the mall’s food junction, and the restaurants are on Level 6, while the cafés and dessert places are on the basement level.
Location: 222 Phetchaburi Road, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS Station or Siam BTS Station. From either station, take the elevated R-Walk through Gaysorn Village.
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 9:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Palladium World Shopping Mall
Also located in the Pratunam neighborhood, the Palladium World Shopping Mall (or simply Palladium) is the place to go for IT-related stuff — phone accessories, tech gadgets, electronics, printing, cameras, and the like. But of course, fashion items and accessories also abound here: the latest styles, vintage clothes, textiles, costumes, and even school uniforms!
Palladium’s basement also beckons blingholics and gemmaphiles who are hunting for their next treasured jewelry — silver, gold, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more! Massage services and dining places are also available.
Location: 555 Ratchaprarop Road, Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Chit Lom BTS Station, Siam BTS Station or Ratchaprarop Station
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Siam Square
Located in the Siam neighborhood, Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment destination, immortalized in pop culture as the setting of the film The Love of Siam. With over 400,000 people passing through this area daily, it is also sometimes regarded as the heart of shopping in the city.
Combining massive modern malls with humble street vendor stalls, it caters to both young and old and all kinds of shoppers, from bargain hunters to luxury chasers. The entertainment and shopping area spans from Phayathai Road to Henri Dunant and from Rama I Road to the Chulalongkorn Campus. A skywalk links it to nearby shopping centers and the Ratchaprasong shopping district.
Here are some of the malls that are waiting for you around the Siam Area:
- Siam Paragon, mostly mid-range to high-end brands
- Siam Center
- Siam Discovery
- CentralwOrld
- MBK Center
The flagship store of GENTLEWOMAN, a Thai brand, is also within Siam Square.
Location: 388 Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Siam BTS Station
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
iconSIAM
IconSIAM is part of the multi-awarded mixed-use development property on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Since its opening in November 2018, it has already amassed several design awards. Covering an extensive retail space area of 525,000 square meters, it is hailed as one of the largest shopping malls in Asia. Most of the restaurants, retail brands, and shops here are on the luxury or high-end side.
Here are some of the attractions waiting for you at iconSIAM:
- Siam Takashimaya, the first Takashimaya in Thailand. This iconic Japanese department store carries more than 500 trusted brands, around 170 of which are Japanese.
- Sook Siam, an indoor floating market with more than 3,000 local businesses from all over the country were brought here to showcase the cultural roots of Thailand through their products — crafts, food, and more — while paying tribute to the floating markets in neighboring provinces.
- Attractions Hall, located on IconSiam’s 6th floor, which hosts various events and exhibits. The last time we visited, DA VINCI ALIVE BANGKOK takes the spot. It features all of Da Vinci’s genius and legacy all in one place. Here, you’ll get to marvel at replicas of and learn a great deal about his masterpieces!
- Cruise Pier, the jump off point for many boat cruises. IconSiam is situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya.
IconSIAM also takes pride in its overall look and aesthetic. Since its opening in November 2018, it has already amassed several design awards. Its interiors are also dressed depending on the occasion. Our last visit was at the start of #PrideMonth so rainbow decors and promos are everywhere!
Location: 299 Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok
Nearest Station: Charoennakorn Station (Sky Train Gold Line via Krung Thon Buri BTS Station) or Saphan Taksin BTS Station (then ferry from Sathorn Pier to IconSIAM)
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Union Mall
If you want to stay away from the crowd, head over to Union Mall, located at the Lat Phrao junction in Bangkok’s northern side. Union Mall is an eight-story retail center, home to over 1200 shops and kiosks. But it’s still pretty spacious. Most of the clothing stores are on the first two levels, but some of the top floors are not fully occupied, which make for a more relaxed shopping experience.
You see, while most tourists congregate in Platinum Mall and Chatuchak Market, Union Mall is more frequented by locals. When we last visited, it was a rainy weekday afternoon, and there were many times when we were the only customers along a full shopping alley! And when we found ourselves in the same store as other shoppers, they were Thai.
The great majority of shops are geared toward women, but there’s a decent number of men’s wear on the upper floors. In fact, Vins was able to purchase a couple of beautiful graphic men’s jackets! He was also able to haggle a bit.
But like Platinum Mall, the sheer diversity of options here is quite impressive. You’ll find a store for men, women, kids, grownups, skinny and plus-size!
Location: 54 ซอย ลาดพร้าว 1 Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Nearest Station: Phahon Yothin (MRT Blue Line)
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Siam Outlets Mall
Siam Premium Outlets is Thailand’s first luxury outlet mall. It is operated by the Siam Piwat Simon Co., the same retail and development corporation behind Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, and IconSIAM.
It takes pride in its collection of 145 premium fashion heavyweights including designer luxury labels, international ready-to-wear staples, and local brands, arranged in a flat, outdoor-mall setup. But the best part: you can expect a big SALE at any time of the year. Which stores and how much discount is up for grabs vary per season, but there are promos year-round.
When we visited, we were greeted by these discounts for select items:
- Calvin Klein – up to 80% OFF
- Michael Kors – up to 70% OFF
- Havaianas – up to 60% OFF
- Puma – up to 50% OFF
- Under Armour – up to 50% OFF
- American Eagle – up to 50% OFF
- Adidas – up to 40% OFF
- Coach – up to 30% OFF
Some stores also offer additional discounts if you purchase multiple items at once. Yes, those are on top of the published promos.
You’ll also find the following luxury brands at Siam Premium Outlets:
- Balenciaga
- Burberry
- Versace
- Ferragamo
- Boss
- Marc Jacobs
- Karl Lagerfeld
Also scattered around the site are several photo spots, usually following the season’s main occasion. When we last visited, they were celebrating #BangkokPride Month so rainbow decors were all over. They were also giving away free rainbow umbrellas to those who upload photos taken at these spots.
Here’s the catch, though. Although it’s named Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, it is actually located in Samutprakarn Province, just outside the city. It’s close to Suvarnabhumi Airport, so you could do your last-minute shopping here, but it’s still pretty out of the way.
However, there are direct shuttle buses at Siam Paragon that can take you to Siam Premium Outlets.
How to Get to Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok: Take the BTS to Siam Station and head to Siam Paragon. Catch a shuttle bus to Siam Premium Outlets. Fare: THB 150 per person.
Location: 989 moo 14, Tambon Bang Sao Thong, Amphur Bang Sao Thong, Samutprakarn Province 10570, Thailand
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM.
What is the best shopping spot in Bangkok?
Well, that depends on your preferences. Based on my observation, among all these, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the most budget-friendly and the staff entertain haggling more, especially if you’re purchasing multiple items. Chatuchak is touted as the most diverse market this side of the world, and it’s probably true because you’ll find other items other than clothing. But when it comes to just apparel and accessories, many of the stalls sell similar products. You’ll find several establishments selling the exact same shirts, dresses or bags. Plus, timing is crucial here as most stores are open only on weekends.
If you’re interested in garments, the Pratunam area is great because it has more diverse options. Platinum Fashion Mall alone, while generally slightly more expensive than Chatuchak, is home to a lot of unique and quirky designs. The adjacent markets also sell more affordable items.
But if you’re after branded and more premium items, it’s between Siam Paragon and iconSIAM. Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok has a lot of promos, which is great if you’re bargain hunting. But because you have to go out of your way to reach it, make sure they carry your target brands before going.
What is the Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for Shoppers?
It’s a toss between Siam and Pratunam. Siam is surrounded by giant shopping malls, while Pratunam is a bargain retail paradise. The best part, these two areas lie side by side and are within walking distance of each other. It’s a long walk, perhaps 15-25 minutes, but it’s not that bad.
That said, Siam area is much more well-connected than Pratunam in terms of train lines.
Here are some of the top hotels in these two areas as reviewed by Agoda users.
Top Hotels in Siam Area
- Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square Hotel. We stayed here recently. Excellent location, at the heart of Siam Square, very close to the Siam malls. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Siam @ Siam Design Hotel Bangkok. We were able to stay here, and it was such a beautiful hotel! Good location, too. Close to BTS National Stadium Station. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Ibis Bangkok Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Holiday Inn Bangkok. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Mercure Bangkok Siam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Top Hotels in Pratunam
- The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- VELA Dhi GLOW Pratunam. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Centre Point Pratunam Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam. This hotel is just beside Platinum Mall. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Centara Watergate Pavilion Hotel Bangkok. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Lemontea Hotel Bangkok. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Bangkok Hotels!
Important Tips when Shopping in Bangkok
- Beware of pickpockets, especially in the Pratunam area including Pratunam Market and Platinum Fashion Hall. Always keep an eye on your valuables.
- Get bigger discounts if you’re buying as a group. Although haggling is not practiced at most Siam-managed malls like iconSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets, it is very much welcome at Pratunam establishments and Chatuchak Weekend Market. And you’re gonna have much more bargaining power if you’re buying multiple items at once. So if you’re part of a group, shop and haggle together.
- Agree to meet at a specific place and time. These shopping centers are like a giant maze. The alleys crisscrossing Chatuchak Market, Platinum Fashion Mall, and Pratunam Market are narrow and crowded. It’s easy to get lost and confused. If you’re part of a group, choose a meetup spot and time in case you get separated or if you decide to go on separate ways.
- Bring your passport and avail of VAT Refund. Most stores at Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Center, CentralwOrld, iconSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets are part of the tax refund program so take advantage of it for extra savings!
Written by: Yosh Dimen & Asta Alvarez
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