A Shopping Guide To Pathum Wan Bangkok

Pathum Wan is in the heart of downtown Bangkok. What this area may lack in temples or other cultural excursions, it makes up for in its many shopping arenas. From designer malls to bustling markets, this area has everything a shopper needs to splurge and spend a successful day shopping. Here, a shopping guide to Pathum Wan, Bangkok.

1. Bobae Market

Market, Shopping Mall

This market is a wholesale one, with a plethora of bulk and discount clothing to choose from. Often, in order to receive a discount, customers have to purchase up to 10 items, and the cost of an item goes up if only one is purchased. This market remains off the tourist itinerary radar, so visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find few foreigners browsing this market. This is also a great place to work on your calculator speak, and customers are welcome to barter.

2. Jim Thompson House

Museum

Those on the lookout for quality silk should look no further than the Jim Thompson House. While this material can be found cheaper in one of Bangkok’s many markets and night bazaars, shoppers can be at ease while browsing the Jim Thompson’s House wide selection of authentic silk.

3. Siam Square One

Siam Square One

Siam Square One certainly cannot compete with the Siam trilogy located just across Sukhumvit Road, but this mall does have a variety of fashion and beauty stores worth visiting. What it lacks in design it makes up for in prices, as many of the stores in Siam Square One, unlike its high-end neighbors, are cheap and affordable. Some of the best stores found here include American Eagle Outfitters, Lee, and popular Thai fashion brand stores.

Siam Square One, 254 Phayathai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand, +66 02 255 9999

Siam Square One | © Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

4. Siam Paragon

Bakery, Food Court, Fast Food

This high-end mall was built with one word in mind: luxury. Those shoppers looking to blow some baht on designer brands should head for Siam Paragon, a haven for all things shiny and new. Siam Paragon is the third largest mall in Thailand, with a plethora of designer brands to choose from, including Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Versace, and many more. In addition to its superb selection of designer brands, this mall is home to one of the most luxurious movie theaters in Bangkok, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, and even a bowling alley.

5. Siam Discovery

Store, Shopping Mall

Siam Discovery recently underwent extensive renovations, and it just re-opened again on May 28th, 2016. Prepare to be amazed with the new, interactive décor that will have visitors roaming its striking interior for hours. From home furnishings to drones, this mall has everything shoppers need to break their banks. Visitors do not have to purchase a single thing here to entertain themselves, either, as the interesting shops and stores are worth visiting regardless. The mall is broken up into seven sections, or ‘Labs,’ including Her Lab, His Lab, Street Lab, Digital Lab, Creative Lab, Play Lab, and Retail Innovation Lab. Each Lab is incredibly different from the next and will leave visitors exploring for hours.

6. Siam Center

Shopping Mall

Siam Center is broken up into four sections. There is Fashion Avenue on the first floor, Fashion Galleria on the second floor, Fashion Visionary on the third floor, and finally the Food Factory is on the fourth floor. Siam Center provides its customers with a healthy balance of both Western and Thai brands, and many of the stores and boutiques have a fusion of both styles. Some of the best clothing finds are in Siam Center, and all are incredibly unique. It is also home to some clothing favorites, including Forever 21.

7. MBK Center

Shopping Mall, Stadium, Shop

MBK Center has it all. This eight-story high shopping center would take hours to explore it in its entirety. From shoes to jewelry to furniture, MBK Center will get everything on your shopping list checked off. Located conveniently right off the BTS Skytrain station National Stadium, you will not know where to start when choosing from over 2,000 shops. It is also significantly less expensive than its luxurious neighbors, such as Siam Paragon or Siam Discovery, so visitors do not have to worry about spending one too many baht.

8. Central World

Shop

Central World

Explore eight levels of shopping paradise at Central World. This mall is a bit more upscale than MBK Center, but it has cheaper items than some of the more luxurious malls. Central World finds a happy medium between high quality and affordable prices, with stores selling everything from makeup to electronics to furniture. Its website claims to be the largest lifestyle shopping destination in Bangkok, and they just might be right.

Central World, 999/9 Rama I Rd, Bangkok, Thailand, +66 084 424 6489

Central World | © Courtesy of Kelly Iverson

9. Pratunam Market

Market, Shop

Pratunam Market is arguably Thailand’s largest clothing market, and it is certainly one of the cheapest markets in the city. When visitors enter Pratunam Market, they are seemingly transported to an entirely different place and era, away from the busy streets of modern Bangkok. Visitors are engulfed in a wide variety of clothing and souvenirs. This market feels more authentic than some of its competitors, such as the infamous Chatuchak Weekend Market, because of the sheer fact that many of the vendors are working on creating clothing right before customer’s eyes. Old sewing machines line the narrow alleyways, with Thais frantically at work, sewing the very clothing that is found at their shop.

10. Pantip Plaza

Building, Shopping Mall, Market

1024px-Pantip_Plaza_interior_by_kylehase_(14366539091)

This mega IT mall has everything you could possibly need in the way of electronics. From cameras to laptops to cell phones, anyone in search of a particular tech-related gadget will not leave Pantip Plaza empty-handed. Pantip Plaza sits inside a crowded, sometimes overwhelming, five-story building chock full of electronic items. Be warned, however, that if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is, as some of these electronic items may be pirated.

11. Platinum Fashion Mall

Market, Shopping Mall

In-between Pantip Plaza and Pratunam Market is Platinum Fashion Mall. This wholesale fashion mall is bringing customers a little bit of everything. According to its website, Platinum Fashion Mall is Thailand’s largest wholesale and retail shopping destination, with 2,513 stores to choose from. About 60,000 customers frequent this mall every day, and 40 percent of those are foreigners.

12. Gaysorn Shopping Centre

Shopping Mall

This five-story, upscale mall provides shoppers with a luxurious shopping experience, selling nothing but high-end and luxury items. Splurge at Gaysorn Shopping Centre in downtown Bangkok, with a variety of top international brands calling this shopping haven home, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and more. Gaysorn Shopping Centre is conveniently located right off the BTS Skytrain station Chit Lom, and there is even a walkway that connects the two directly.

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A Shopping Guide To Pathum Wan, Bangkok