Department Store in Bangkok

Department Stores around Bangkok

The department store is a modern-age shopping phenomenon that's all about convenience - and dedicated entirely towards helping you get a shopping overdose. Unlike malls, you don't even have to leave one store to go to another; it's an open-plan shopping environment with all kinds of merchandise offered in demarcated zones and on various floors. Often called 'super-stores', they are modern, gleaming retail 'monuments' where you can find just about anything under the sun - or should that be under one roof...

Department stores in Bangkok hold their own among the finest in the world, and offer visitors to the capital a supreme shopping experience. Some are high-end, catering to the well-to-do and glamorous, while others offer the kind of bargains that thrills are made of. We've lined them all up, so go ahead and choose one that has 'you' written all over it..

Central World


This centre comprises of the ZEN, Isetan and Duty Free shopping centres, with hundreds of additional small shops to go with it. It is opposite the Grand Hyatt Hotel and is the most central of all the shopping locations.









Siam Paragon
on Rama I Rd.
The Pride of Bangkok. This is the biggest upscale shopping complex in Thailand and South East Asia. It includes a variety of high-end stores, restaurants and entertainment complex, offering so many fantastic leisure activities. It is neighbored by Siam Center and Siam Skytrain Station.




MBK (Maboonkrong) Center


Short-named MBK, the multi-storey Mah Boon Krong is probably Bangkok's most legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals. Eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery and DVD's (and then some).






The Emporium
Emporium is an absolutely amazing shopping centre and some would say the best in Bangkok, It has a cinema, and a lot of quality designer wear. They also have an excellent food court at ridiculously cheap prices, which offers diners a lovely view over the adjacent small park. (skytrain station Phrom Phong)




Siam Center
One of the oldest malls in Thailand, but also one of the most vital. Situated slap-bang in the centre of what is called 'the battleground of the malls' - and easily dwarfed by the bigger and flashier malls - few know that Siam Center was there before all the others. Constructed in 1976, this original looks good for her age, thanks to the panoply of bright and playful shops and the ever-younger and fresher clientele, expending their reeling energies and pocket money..




Siam Discovery
This trendy shopping complex is still a favourite among Bangkok's younger and fashionable crowds. Opposite Siam Square, this modern centre adjoins Siam Centre and showcases a good selection of shops, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.

Expect popular local fashion designers and global brand names as well as European established names, as well as a number of home decor and hip interior design stores. Guess? DKNY, Shiseido, Mac, Swarovski and many more. Asia Books and Habitat have branches here too. A huge cinema complex is located on the top floor, while the ground floor houses popular coffee hangouts including Starbucks and Au Bon Pain.

Gaysorn Plaza


Gaysorn is a luxurious, upmarket white marble and gleaming chrome complex housing exclusively high-end luxury goods and designer labels. Its contemporary design and an innovative retail concept create a very exclusive shopping experience. Expect to find a wide range of highly desirable international brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Hugo Boss, to name but a few, as well as a selection of Thailand's most innovative designers such as Fly Now, 'Senada Theory and Kloset Red Carpet.






Erawan Bangkok
The graceful mall with direct access to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok right in the heart of the Ratchaprasong shopping district, has an air of exclusivity about it. A five-storey space covering about 13, 000 square meters, it's a boutique mall that offers a selection of only the most elegant lifestyle brands. And the shoppers who frequent the polished hallways and eateries here are equally suave...




Amarin Plaza

The stylish Amarin Plaza is linked to Erawan Bangkok via a skybridge. The five-storey shopping plaza has an almost festive aura to it, drawing in a mixed crowd - from affluent Thais to expats and business travellers - with highly desirable brand names such as Guy Laroche, Valentino and Crocodile, to name but a few.




Peninsula Plaza
On Ratchadamri Road is situated in the prime land between the Erawan Mall and Four Seasons Hotel. This exclusive centre, catering mainly towards expats, moneyed Thais and business class travelers, exudes an air of old-world charm. Various leisurely eateries and cafes are scattered throughout. You will find diamonds, Swarovsky crystal, sheer fabrics, antiques and silverware among the wares on display. There is also a grand gallery, an art shop exhibiting some striking contemporary Thai paintings, and the International Dance Academy on the fourth floor. Look out for the magnificent stained glass 'door' on your way out.

Pantip Plaza

On Petchburi road near the Amari Watergate Hotel. Everything under the sun and computer related can be found here. With seven floors of heaven for computer buffs. The multistory shopping centre offers a wide selection of stores, selling everything from computers and computer-related accessories, including; parts, printers, digital cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, and much more. Pantip Plaza is also (in)famous for its inexpensive counterfeit versions of software and DVDs. Although you might not be a techno-geek, it’s worth visiting when you're in the area for the pure fascination value.





Esplanade
This structure of organic contours and ample space was designed by the same Paris-based architects who conceived Bangkok's famous Emporium and Siam Paragon. Within is a music academy, a 12-theatre Cineplex, and ice skating rink. This new addition to the mall scene operates 100 000 square meters of retail space, and introduces the intriguing concept of 'artetainment'.

In addition, it features one of the most modern auditoriums in the city, and the Cineplex movie theatres have devised a nifty way to save paper; the 'now showing' screens are electronic instead of the traditional posters. Aside from all the usual eateries, cafes and fashionable lifestyle stores, there are also several health and wellness outlets, from post-natal slimming and shaping, to fitness, hair and nails. Project Zen Bodyworks has a spa menu to delight, and Chaho Matcha Teashop stocks Japanese green tea. And for some action, Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl combines karaoke and bowling for good clean fun.

Platinum Fashion Mall
A relatively new shopping center in the Petchburi area, Platinum Fashion Mall caters especially to wholesale clothing, selling a similar range of clothing to the Pratunam Market across the street, except in air-conditioned comfort. The mall has six floors which are filled with small outlets - most of them specialising in women's clothing and fashion accessories. Since this is a wholesale mall, you can get items at very reasonable prices - provided you buy larger quantities, usually three items and up.




All Seasons Place
Clothing boutiques, books, stationery and shops specialising in high-end sporting accessories can be found here. There is fine custom-tailoring, an art shop, gallery, an antiques shop and a wine cellar. The center also houses a health clinic and state of-the-art spa. Postal and various banking services are available too. The popular food court, adjoined to the supermarket on the second floor, offers unbelievably cheap fare in a casual atmosphere.