Bangkok, Thailand Hotels and City Guide

Bangkok - Shopping

Bangkok is a veritable mecca for those on the hunt for all manner of bargains, from designer clothing to electronics and mobile phones, with pretty much anything in between. If scrounging around busy markets is not your cup of tea but you are still keen to find a cheap buy, the city has several Western-style shopping malls - ideal for shopping in an airconditioned environment.

Bangkok's Main Shopping Areas

Khao San Road
The area of Khao San Road is synonymous with low-cost hostels, late-night bars, and bargain buys. As one of the most popular areas in Bangkok amongst low-budget travelers, expect an array of counterfeit clothing and backpacker essentials such as second-hand books, beach wear, quirky slogan shirts, cheap tourist gifts and a scattering of very affordable beauty salons and massage parlours. There are also several tour operators where you can book tours within Thailand, or transit to neighbouring countries such as Laos, Vietnam or even China.

Ratchaprasong
Ratchaprasong is one of the city's most cosmopolitan shopping areas, boasting several large malls, designer stores such as Prada and Louis Vuitton, as well as hip Thai boutiques. Ratchaprasong was the location of Bangkok's first supermarket and over the past 50 years the money invested in the area has turned it into a hub of luxury shopping, premium leisure facilities, such as dining and spas, and luxury hotels.

Chatuchak Market
The phrase 'shop 'til you drop' can be applied quite literally to Catuchak Market, which occupies an area of over 35-acres and has over 8000 stalls. Visitors will find anything from clothing and shoes to pets and art. The market is not for the faint-hearted though, and can be very busy on weekends. Visitors are recommended to allow at least a full day to properly explore each of its 26 sections or zones, with breaks in between to rest while sipping on an ice cold fruit-shake at the eating area. Unlike Bangkok's posher shopping malls, haggling is an accepted practise here so don't be afraid to enter into a good-natured negotiation for your purchase. As with most crowded tourist areas, be very careful to keep your valuables safely hidden on you as pickpocketing can be an issue.

Chinatown
Bangkok's Chinatown area is a hub of wholesale fashions and homewear, small sideroads crammed with fabric, Chinese herbal medicine and counterfeit DVD stores, and roadside carts selling authentic Chinese foods such as sharkfin or birdsnest soup. The Theives Market (Woong Nakhon Kasem) was once a trading ground for stolen goods but is today a site for selling imitation antiques, brassware and porcelain.

Sukhumvit Road
Sukhumvit Road is one of Bangkok's most loved shopping areas and a happy medium for those who want to enjoy the authentic Asian bargain hunting experience, but also wish to escape the midday heat in a cooler environment. The road is a mesh of department stores, sidewalk vendors and smaller shops selling everything from designer fashion to pirate DVDs. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes though, as Sukhumvit Road is one of the longest roads in Thailand!   

Silom
The area of Silom buzzes with activity both night and day, as it is the location of Bangkok's famous night market, Patpong Night Market, as well as the city's financial district. A real convergence of cultures, Silom is also known to have several 'go-go bars' tucked away in its streets, as well as fancier bars often used for business drinks. 

Shops by Type

Electronics

Pantip Plaza
New Phetchaburi Road, Bangkok

Markets

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
This market is a regular stop on most Bangkok city tour itineraries, hence expect it to be quite crowded on most days of the week and somewhat lacking in its original appeal. Still, the market is a far cry from the sterile Western malls slowly dominating the Bangkok shopping scene, with narrow canals packed with boats and produce. Its a noisy, tourist but memorable visit.
Samut Sangkhram Ratchaburi province, 80 km southwest of Bangkok
07:00 - 11:00 (every day)

Chatuchak Weekend Market
As explained earlier, Chatuchak Market is a sprawling market which occupies an area of over 35-acres and has over 8000 stalls where you can find all manner of bargains, from from clothing and shoes to pets and art. The market is best vsited on the weekend.
Adjacent to Kamphaengpecth Station (MRT)
Wednesday to Thursday (Plants & Flowers): 6.00 am - 6.00 pm
Friday (Wholesale day): 6.00 am - 6.00 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 6.00 am - 6.00 pm

Patpong Night Market
Patpong Night Market is one of Bangkok's busiest markets, and heaves with tourists aftr dark. You can find all sorts of cheap goods here, including a healthy amount of counterfeit clothing, watches and DVDs, alongside some of Bangkok's most notorious bars and night-venus.
Saladaeng BTS Station on Silom Road
18:00 - around 01:00 daily

Shopping Malls

CentralWorld Shopping Complex
4 Rajdamri Road, Patumwan, Bangkok

MBK Shopping Center
444 Phayathai Rd., Patumwan, Bangkok

Siam Paragon Shopping Centre
991/1 Rama 1 Road, Bangkok

The Emporium Bangkok
24 Soi Sukhumvit, Bangkok 10110

Siam Center Bangkok
Siam Tower, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan 10330, Bangkok

Bangkok Tourist Tax Refunds

Tourists are able to get a 7% VAT refund on purchases made from luxury stores participating in the refund scheme. Any purchases will need to have been made within 60 days prior to your departure from Thailand. You will need to show you passport when making the purchase and ask for a special VAT refund form, which is then presented at the airport refunds desk.

Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand