Department Stores and Shopping Centers for Expats
Shopping Malls
Siam Paragon
This is the newest and most modern of all of Bangkok’s shopping malls. It opened in December 2005 and is proving to be very popular with tourists, expats and Thais. It has taken the Bangkok retail industry to a new level, offering world-class designer outlets in a stylish and highly impressive mall. As well as designer clothes, shops in Siam Paragon also sell beauty products, jewelery and housewares. There is even a floor dedicated to entertainment and eating with a selection of restaurants, a cinema and an aquarium. It is located next to Siam Station on the BTS Skytrain. This mall is the hangout for the young, rich and beautiful of the Bangkok elite and wannabe’s. It’s definitely the spot to find luxury items and mingle with the local high society crowd. For an English speaking website, visit: http://www.siamparagon.co.th
Siam Discovery and Siam Centre
This is a two-in-one shopping-come entertainment centre and is the busiest of all of the malls in Bangkok. The Siam Centre was the first shopping centre to open in Bangkok, leading the way for all of the others and is just as popular today as it was 30 years ago. The Discovery Centre is a recent extension housing the impressive EGV Cinema as well as a number of good value fashion stores. It, too, is adjacent to Siam Station. For an English speaking website, visit: http://www.siampiwat.com
The MBK Centre
Located in the heart of the city, the MBK Centre houses over 2000 shops as well as 150 eateries and a multi-screened cinema. It is famous for its cheap goods, mobile phones and wide variety of stores. Clothes, cosmetics, accessories, jewelery and photo shops are found on the first, second and third floors while the whole of the fourth floor is dedicated to mobile phones. Furniture can be found on the fifth, souvenirs and handicrafts on the sixth and the seventh and eighth floors are home to the cinema and a number of karaoke booths. It is popular with both expats and Thais and can get very busy at weekends. MBK sells a lot of fake clothes, but the big attraction for Thais is the 4th floor which has the mobile phone area, where vendors sell new and used phones and special numbers. Lucky numbers go for several thousand baht. There is also a very good food court on the 6th floor. The easiest way to reach MBK is to take the Skytrain to National Stadium Station. For an English speaking website.
Pantip Plaza
This electronic super-mall is famous throughout Thailand and is the place to visit for all electronic needs, whether it is to buy a new computer or get your camera fixed. Shops here sell every type of electronic device imaginable and there are often excellent sales. It is located on New Phetchaburi Road and the easiest way to reach it is to take the subway to Phetchaburi Station or the Sky train to Asoke and either walk from there or get a taxi. They also have copied software available on the ground floor.
Central World Plaza
Central World is a mega mall located near Chitlom BTS station and houses over 500 stores, 50 restaurants and 21 cinema screens as well as a bowling hall and Kids Zone. It also has a large outdoor area for events, promotions and music gigs. This is a very young and trendy shopping center and the direct competition to Siam Paragon as the biggest and best shopping mall in South East Asia. Their website is: http://www.centralworld.co.th
Emporium
This is another preferred expat shopping mall 7 floors tall with 3 floors dedicated exclusively to clothes and fashion. The rest of the mall features luxury goods and items, jewelry, international design and much more. It’s also home to one of the Kinokuniya bookstores. Emporium is located right next to Phrom Phong BTS station and even has direct entry from the station. Read more at their website: http://www.emporiumthailand.com
