Whether you are traveling to Thailand for vacation or just looking for an upscale shopping experience, there are plenty of places in this Southeast Asian country to get your hands on unique, high-quality products. From local markets to luxury malls, here are eight of the best shopping destinations in Thailand for you to explore.
Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok
Located in the northern part of Bangkok, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest markets in Asia. It has a total area of about 35 acres, and is a hive of activity during the weekends. There are over 15,000 stalls and shops here, making it a popular destination for local and tourist alike.
The market is split up into 27 separate sections, and offers a wide variety of goods. These include jewelry, secondhand clothes, home decor, and even street food. Some of the most memorable items you can buy here include pampered puppies and faux Fendi shoes.
The best time to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market is during the morning, when it is cooler and less crowded. If you arrive late in the afternoon, it will be hot and humid. You should wear comfortable clothes.
This market also offers free maps to help you navigate. At the main entrance, there is an information booth that can give you a map.
For the most part, clothing dominates the market, and you can find everything from designer labels to inexpensive street wear. You can also get some interesting antiques and collectibles, as well as some pretty ceramics.
Patpong Night Market in Bangkok
Located in Bangkok’s famous red light district, Patpong Night Market is one of the city’s most popular shopping districts. The market is a great place to buy Thai souvenirs, as well as other novelty items, including fake designer labels, sunglasses, binoculars, and DVDs.
Originally, the Patpong market was only open to locals, and tourists were not allowed. The market was first started by a Chinese family who purchased a plot of land. They built several shophouses and a teakwood house on the property.
The market has since expanded to include a large array of wares, from high-end designer goods to cheap clothing. There is also a large variety of street food to be had.
In the late 1970s, the Patpong market expanded to include nightclubs, bars, massage parlors, and other entertainment venues. The market is now an outdoor shopping paradise. The market is open to the public from six in the evening until midnight.
The Patpong night market is surrounded by bars and go-go bars. The vendors in this area try to sell you items for more than they are worth. This is particularly true of the more expensive goods.
Siam Square in Bangkok
Located on the south side of Rama I road, Siam Square is an interesting area that is not just a shopping hub but also a place to enjoy a cup of coffee and a cold beer. It’s a warren of small boutiques and sois, a perfect place to find the latest fashions and accessories.
In addition to the open-air market, Siam Square is home to a number of other shopping centers. These include the Siam Paragon, which features hundreds of luxury brand retail shops. The Siam Centre, on the other hand, is a fashion-focused shopping mall. It has restaurants, fast food outlets and brand-name stores. The Siam Discovery shopping center is connected to the Siam Centre by a skybridge.
Another popular open-air mall is Asiatique. It features over 1,500 boutiques, over 40 restaurants, and a Ferris wheel. It has a beautiful art deco ceiling in the cinema foyer. The food court offers a variety of international cuisines.
Siam Paragon, which is directly next to the BTS Siam, is one of Bangkok’s most popular malls. It has hundreds of luxury brand retail shops, a bowling alley, a concert hall, and a gourmet market.
Terminal 21 in Bangkok
Located in the heart of Bangkok, the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is a travel-themed shopping complex with an eclectic mix of local and international brands. It offers a fun shopping experience for the whole family. Compared to the other big malls in Sukhumvit, the prices are relatively affordable.
Besides offering great food, the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall also has some cool features. You can shop from brands such as Guess, Nike, and Esprit. In addition to that, you can find a host of Thai designed products.
The Terminal 21 Mall has a funky design, as well as an attached five-star hotel. The Grande Centre Point Hotel has 500 guest rooms and a spa. The building is connected to the MRT system and the BTS skytrain. This makes it easy to get to from just about anywhere in the city.
The Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is unique in that each floor is themed after a different tourist destination. The basement is actually an entertainment area, which has a food court and a multiplex cinema.
CentralWorld in Bangkok
Located near Siam BTS station, CentralWorld is the largest shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. The complex offers over 500 stores and over 100 restaurants. It is also a great place for a night out. There are many bars, cafes, and restaurants. The top floor is home to an excellent supermarket. The shopping center is divided into four “wings”. Each “wing” has its own theme, such as a Thai market, a European city, or a Chinese metropolis.
The first floor has handbags and jewelry stores, as well as a number of shops selling Thai-made clothes. The second floor has fashion brands, such as Zara and H&M. The third floor is home to men’s fashion. There are beauty salons, sportswear, and electronics gadget shops.
The fifth floor is a huge cinema complex, complete with IMAX and 3D screens. It is also home to a bowling alley, as well as a kidzania kids playground. It is connected to the Paragon Shopping Mall by a walkway. The cinema complex also offers movies with Thai subtitles.
Central Festival Phuket in Phuket
Located near Phuket Town, Central Festival Phuket is one of the largest shopping malls in Phuket. The Central Festival building has a large department store that is surrounded by shops. The building also has numerous restaurants, a spa, parlor services, and a super market. It has two levels of underground parking.
The market is a large food and fresh produce market. It is open 24 hours. The first floor has restaurants such as Swens Cafe, Body Shape Café, and Mister Donut. The second floor has Segrafredo, Mister Donut, and Burger King. The food area includes tropical fruits, spicy sausage, grilled chicken breast, and sweet butter boiled corn.
The second largest shopping mall in Phuket is Jungceylon in Patong. This shopping complex has a cinema and a bowling zone. It has over 300 shops and a range of restaurants. It is an excellent place to shop for fashions, electronics, home furnishings, and computer equipment. It is a must-visit if you are in the Patong area.
Another shopping mall in Phuket is Premium Outlet Phuket. It is located in Tambon Thalang. The mall features over 300 stores and is a popular destination for leather goods, audiovisual items, and computer equipment.
The Mall Bangkapi in Bangkok
Located in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok, The Mall Bangkapi is one of the largest shopping malls in the city. This popular mall has a total area of more than 600,000 square metres. It features a number of attractions such as a water park and a state-of-the-art cinema.
The Mall Bangkapi also offers various restaurants and shops. Some of the famous brands that are located in this mall include Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Victoria Beckham. There are also a number of exhibitions and open sales.
Another shopping mall in Bangkok that is worth a visit is Siam Discovery. This is a super artistic mall that has been built to reflect the modern era. It has a hipster style and uses a mix of science and nature in its design. The shopping mall is split into sections that are divided by chemical and biological elements. This is also the home of the largest streetwear store in Bangkok.
The mall has over 200 boutiques and stores. These stores sell products from a wide range of topics, including fashion, electronics, and toys. There are also a number of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
The Emporium in Bangkok
Located on Sukhumvit Road, Emporium is a shopping mall in Bangkok that is owned by The Mall Group. The mall offers top luxury fashion brands.
There are over 1,500 boutiques and shops, offering a wide range of goods. Some of the high end brands available include Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Emilio Pucci. This mall is a great place to buy souvenirs and gifts.
The Emporium is connected to the Phrom Phong Skytrain station. There is parking and a tourist service center. The mall also features a spa and cinema. The mall has been renovated recently. It is known for its luxury atmosphere.
There are four floors of electronic items, including DVD players, mobile phones, and tripods. There is also a roller skating dome. The food court includes Asian and Western food.
The second floor features fashion stores. There are also perfumes, handbags, jewelry, and Thai designer clothes. There is also a cafe and a beauty salon. The third floor is the men’s area.
The fourth floor is the Mobile Mania section, which is packed with small stalls selling spare parts, mobile accessories, and other electronics. It is a great place to buy gadgets and fix most phone problems.