Bangkok is a shopaholic's paradise. You can spend an entire
day in Bangkok—perhaps even two, three, or more!—just shopping and you wouldn't have wasted a single second. That's because the Thai capital offers such a diverse range of malls, retail districts, and street markets that you can shop till you drop no matter your price range. Iconsiam is a treasure trove of designer labels. Central World is full of contemporary labels and high-street brands. Platinum Fashion Mall is all about affordable shopping. And the famous Chatuchak Market is filled to the brim with bombastic bargains. What more could a shopaholic ask for?
Iconsiam
As the biggest mall in Bangkok, Iconsiam is the best place to start off this list. Located in the Klong San district, the mall is a whopping 750,000 square meters, 25,000 of which are devoted to luxury brands alone! From French haute couture labels to Italian designer names, Iconsiam is a mecca of high fashion. Fortunately, it's as big as it is because the queues at each of these world-famous stores tend to be pretty long. But if you're not into (or can't afford) high fashion, there are loads of other boutiques on offer too. Not to mention an awesome Sook Siam food court as well!
Emporium
Emporium is another haven for luxury shopping, this time in the Sukhumvit neighborhood of Bangkok. Offering a collection of the biggest international brands and local designers, this is the kind of place where you'll be proud to drain your wallet or bank account. From Chanel and Dior to Prada and Gucci, Emporium houses a who's who of the global fashion scene. It's also great that the mall is linked to the BTS Skytrain. No matter where you're coming from, getting to this luxury mall is easy peasy. And when you want to take a break, the beautiful Benchasiri Park is right beside the mall too.
Central World Mall
Compared to the Iconsiam and Emporium, the Central World Mall in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok is a lot more affordable. Though you'll still find a few designer labels here, they're not what the place is known for. Central World Mall is all about local brands and high-street stores. Gentlewoman, the Thai label known for its high-quality canvas tote bags, has a store here. As does Jaspal, another local brand that's famous for its colorfully chic and cosmopolitan designs. With over 500 stores on offer, the Central World Mall definitely has some of the best shopping in Bangkok!
Asiatique The Riverfront
What's great about shopping in Bangkok is that it's not always the typical retail experience. Take Asiatique The Riverfront, for example. Located right beside the Chao Phraya River, it's a cool riverside shopping district that combines the outdoor appeal of a street market with the chic vibes of a luxury mall. Rest assured that the stores and stalls here aren't your average market vendors. From big designer brands to local contemporary labels, there are some classy finds just waiting for you at Asiatique The Riverfront. Moreover, you can take a break and look at the serene river too. What's not to love?
MBK
In the lively Siam area in Bangkok, there's Mahbookkrong, more commonly known as “MBK.” This place is defined by two words: affordable shopping! Whether you're a local looking for a nice souvenir to bring back home or you're a local teen who wants to shop for the latest trends, this place is for you. If you've been here for many years or you've just
moved to Bangkok, you'll know that living in this city isn't exactly cheap. So it's places like MBK that help you get whatever you want without having to go bankrupt.
Platinum Fashion Mall
The Platinum Fashion Mall in the Pratunam district is another go-to spot for affordable shopping in Bangkok. In fact, the prices here are so low, it's almost absurd. For just ฿1,000.00, for example, you can already get an entire outfit and still have some change left for you to go eat at the street stalls right outside. So why is it so affordable here? It's because you can haggle with the vendor to lower the price. Though still have to be smart, slick, and nice about it, you'd be surprised at how low you can go at the Platinum Fashion Mall!
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Finally, let's get to the famous street markets in Bangkok! When people tell you that shopping in Bangkok is the best, they mostly talk about going to places like the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. From antiques and Thai silks to cool tees and well-fitting jeans, this place has it all. But the best part? They're mostly affordable! Most stalls allow you to haggle for a lower price while others offer cheap but quality items to begin with. You just have to be smart about it. For one thing, take a picture of the map at the entrance to lower your risk of getting lost. And as for haggling, don't insist on a price that's far lower than the original.
Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ratchada
Though there are a lot of night markets in Bangkok, the Srinakarin Train Night Market is a particular standout. Firstly, the place offers a mix of both open-air shopping and covered stalls. So when it rains—which is common in Bangkok—at least there's still an area where you can continue shopping to your heart's content. Secondly, the bargains here are all worth your hard-earned cash. This place has such cheap but great finds that you'll barely cause a dent in your
local bank account in Thailand. You can come home with bags filled with new stuff and you'll still have some spare change in your wallet!
You'd be surprised at how many and diverse the places are for you to go shopping in Bangkok. From high-class malls filled with designer labels to famous street markets with awesome bargains, you'll need a day or two to truly shop till your drop!
