Top 10 Shopping Experiences in Bangkok

In a city blessed with some of the world’s most sumptuous malls, how do you choose? Do you want bargains galore? Go to MBK. After the biggest and most trendy? CentralWorld is your ticket. How about classy? Make your way to The Emporium. Of course, if glamour makes you go wobbly at the knees, you will already have found Siam Paragon – the epitome of high-class Bangkok. Read More...

In most cities nighttime means closing time. Not so, here in Bangkok. Come dusk, Khao San Road teems with unkempt travel wear. And Patpong Market’s tarpaulin covered stalls – each brimming with counterfeits or exotica - don’t even kick into life until the area’s office workers are tucked up in bed. Just two examples, among several, of Bangkok’s love affair with the after-dark shop. Read More...

An aspiring techno-geek? Then Pantip Plaza is your heaven on earth. Looking for a new mobile, notebook or the latest gadget? That’s right, Pantip. Packed from floor to ceiling with stalls and shops selling all kinds of computer, electronic paraphernalia and even hard-to-find camera lenses, make sure to allow enough time to explore this bustling indoor IT mall. Read More...

The busy sidewalks of Maharat Road, from Wat Pho to Thammasat University, offer a fascinating street shopping experience. Here, the word street shopping is taken literally, as vendors spread out their ware on a piece of blanket right on the pavement throughout the entire stretch. The eclectic collection ranges from antique coins, Moroccan lamps and bronze ware to vintage bags, amulets and a whole gamut of indie fashion accessories – mostly of second-hand nature. As with other street shopping experiences, haggling is a must.

This famous backpacker’s strip is not only good for bar hopping, but also an exhilarating street shopping experience, which begins after sunset. Vendor carts line up both sides of the street, selling everything from hand-painted T-shirts to music CDs, silver jewellery, second-hand sneakers, leather bags and all things vintage style. You can even get dreadlocks on your hair, a foot massage right on the street and a caricature painting of yourself. The atmosphere is almost festive, with revellers cramming the sidewalk bars and pulsating techo beats as the soundtrack. Read More...

There is something oddly kitsch, charming and nostalgic about Bangkok’s Chinatown. Walking through the many little streets you might find yourself in a market, a shophouse-lined backstreet or a crowded space jam-packed with hawkers of every ilk. Along with many gold shops, you’ll also find sacks of roasted chestnuts, sequins, feather boas, eccentric virility boosters and martial art weapons. Read More...

Among the many fresh produce markets in Bangkok, the jewel without a doubt is the Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market. The colours, fragrances of jasmine and the sight of garland weavers busily at work makes for a dazzling sensory experience. Prepare yourself for a really late-night experience, but one worth staying up for. Read More...

Pratunam is well-known among locals as the wholesale fashion district, where street ware meets odd fashion meets tomorrow’s trends. Shopping here is fun because there’s a whole gamut of accessories to dress you up from head to toe – at a bargain. The original wholesale market is outdoors, around Indra Hotel and Baiyoke Sky Hotel, while the air-conditioned malls are located across the main street, from Pantip Plaza to Pratunam Center. Read More...

Or Tor Kor is a super clean fresh market, similar to an open-aired supermarket, and with prices only a bit cheaper. The market's highlights include imported fruits, along with prized domestic fruits from Rayong and other nearby provinces. There is also a small food court selling delicious Thai foods, although at a slightly higher price than most places. The Chatuchak Market plant section is directly across the road, and can also be explored if you come on a Wednesday, Thursday, or any weekend. Read More...