The Esplanade in Bangkok

The Esplanade is a seven-storey shopping and entertainment complex with an innovative ‘artetainment’ concept. It offers a host of retail shops, restaurants, 12-screen Esplanade Cineplex, Sub Zero ice skating rink, B2S Bookstore, Tops Supermarket and the 1,500-seat Ratchadalai Musical Theatre.

With the Thailand Cultural Centre MRT underground at its doorstep, The Esplanade is very easy to get to. From the outside, the structure features organic contours constructed with glass and steel and, at night, colourful LED lighting effects enhance the futuristic look. Designed by the same Paris-based architects who conceived The Emporium and Siam Paragon, The Esplanade has similar look and feel to those gleaming malls in Sukhumvit and Siam areas.

All-in-One Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

The Esplanade has a selection of stores selling brand-name clothing, fashion accessories, electronic gadgets and beauty products. Its fashion caters to a hip, younger generation, with mostly sports brands such as Puma, Adidas, Geox, Rip Curl and NYLA. For electronic gear, there’s iStudio, Fujitsu, Sony, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, among others. You will also find several health and wellness outlets, from post-natal slimming and shaping, to fitness (California WOW), hair and nails. Project Zen Bodyworks has a spa menu, and Chaho Matcha Teashop stocks Japanese green tea.

The basement level houses fast food outlets, restaurant chains and Tops Supermarket. Japanese cuisine dominates the dining scene, and most are familiar brands, including Ootoya, Fuji, Shabushi, Café Nero, BBQ Plaza, Secret Recipe, Red Mango, Lee Café and MK Gold.

In addition, The Esplanade features one of the most modern musical theatres in the city (Ratchadalai), 12-screen Cineplex movie theatres with VIP seats, a 26-lane high-tech bowling alley and karaoke by Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl as well as a Sub Zero ice-skating arena, complete with an ice bar and hip light-and-sound effects.

The Esplanade Lifestyle Experience

Compared to other shopping malls in downtown Bangkok, The Esplanade offers an eclectic experience and has a rather ‘boutique’ feel. Neither too big or too small, it definitely lives up to its ‘artetainment’ concept with a good mix of lifestyle shopping and entertainment outlets. This best-of-both-worlds approach, however, may leave serious shoppers a bit disappointed, as diversity is somewhat lacking. For entertainment, though, The Esplanade offers a delightful alternative to downtown shopping malls.