Bangkok is one of the top shopping destinations in Asia, and it is clear to see why. Other than the street and night markets, the city has many large shopping malls, with stores selling anything from bargain goods to luxury brands.
The malls in Bangkok can largely be categorised into three main categories: High-End, Mid-Market, and Bargain/Budget. These are very general categories however, and several malls will fall into two or more categories, but hopefully this will still be a useful guide in helping you to figure out which malls best suit your preferences and budget.
High-End
In the malls that fall under this category, you will find all the well-known luxury brands and higher-end boutiques among the many other stores. If you are coming to Bangkok just to shop and have the budget to match, these are the places for you.
Siam Paragon
The most popular mall in the whole of Bangkok, Siam Paragon has everything you could ever want packed into one massive mall: SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, Madame Tussauds Museum, the Japanese bookstore chain Kinokuniya, a huge cineplex, a big supermarket, a food hall, and plenty of cafes and restaurants. Not only that, but several big fashion brands have stores here: Hermès, Louis Vutton, Prada, just to name a few. With nine full floors, you can spend a whole day in this mall alone. As it is connected to the BTS Siam Station, starting your shopping spree is that much easier!
Address: 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
Siam Center and Siam Discovery
Right next door to Siam Paragon are two smaller but trendy malls that are connected together: Siam Center and Siam Discovery. In Siam Center there are well-known brands like Pull & Bear and Sephora, along with many independent boutiques, while Siam Discovery houses a huge departmental store and several known Japanese stores like Loft and Muji. Across both malls you find a wide selection of cafes and restaurants, as well as a food court in Siam Center. If you only have a few days in Bangkok, a trip to these two malls and Siam Paragon are sure to satisfy any shopping needs you have.
Address:
Siam Center: 979 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Siam Discovery: 989 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
ICONSIAM
Located right by the Chao Phraya River, ICONSIAM is likely the largest mall in Bangkok, with 500 stores and 100 restaurants, another mall which you can probably spend an entire day in. Here, you’ll find luxury brands like Christian Louboutin, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Coach, as well as other international brands like Zara, H&M, and Dr. Martens. If you’re craving something Japanese, the mall also houses a branch of the famous Japanese departmental store Takashimaya. ICONSIAM also pays tribute to its local heritage: it has its very own indoor floating market, SookSiam, a beautifully decorated space where local products from local businesses are sold. If you’re joining the hop-on hop-off boat tour of the river, be sure to stop here and explore this amazing mall.
Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
If you want more, EmQuartier, Central Embassy, and Gaysorn Village are other luxury malls where you can find all kinds of high-end brands and high-fashion boutiques to meet all your shopping needs.
Mid-Market
Mid-Market malls are less intimidating than the luxury malls, offering a combination of both higher-end brands and more affordable stores, making them less demanding on the wallet but still great places to shop.
Terminal 21
Terminal 21 is a mall that should be visited by everyone, not just the shoppaholics. What makes this mall so unique is its interior, where the design of each floor, including the restrooms, is inspired by a specific city: see a large scale model of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, pose inside a telephone box from London, or walk under turkish lamps from Istanbul. To fit this theme, Terminal 21 is filled with international brands and restaurants, making any trip here a global affair.
Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, เขตทวีวัฒนา Bangkok 10110
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 9pm
Central World
Central World is another one of Bangkok’s large malls, with plenty of stores for you to spend hours exploring, with brands like Coach, Pandora, and Vans alongside more affordable stores like H&M. There are over 100 restaurants and cafes, with hotpot, Japanese barbeque, and several bubble tea shops to satisfy your cravings, as well as a cineplex where you can catch up on the latest movies. A food market is also often held in front of the mall, where you can try some freshly prepared thai dishes.
Address: 999/9 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 11am - 9pm
Bargain/Budget
In these malls, you’ll find great deals and offers, and while the items sold may not be branded or of the highest quality, they are definitely much cheaper and more affordable than those sold in the malls mentioned above.
Platinum Fashion Mall
Just a short walk away from Central World is Platinum Fashion Mall, which houses 1,000 small and closely packed stores selling cheap and affordable clothes. The mall is divided into the women, men, and children sections, making it easy to navigate. As clothes here are sold at wholesale prices, it might be more worth it to buy clothes in larger quantities, but you probably won’t lose much for buying a single item. As you shop, there are many cafes, restaurants, and food stalls where you can grab a meal or a quick bite during your shopping spree. If you’re a person who doesn’t really care much for brands, Platinum Fashion Mall is where you’ll be able to find clothes of decent quality for reasonably low prices to fill your closet with.
Address: 222 แพลทินัม แฟชั่นมอลล์ ชั้น1 ห้อง221B, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
Opening Hours:
Saturday - Sunday, Wednesday: 8am - 8pm
Monday - Tuesday, Thursday - Friday: 9am - 8pm
MBK Center
Like Platinum, MBK consists of 7 floors filled with closely packed stores selling cheap goods. Other than clothes, this mall sells electronics, luggage bags, and jewellery, just to name a few of the many items available. This is also the only mall where you are able to bargain with the salespeople and stall owners, so get some practice in before you head to the markets. Outside of these shops, there is also a multi-level Tokyu department store. If you get tired, take a break and have a meal in one of their many restaurants and cafes, or watch a movie at the cinema on the top floor.
Address: 444 Phayathai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 10am - 10pm
With these shopping malls and many others, you’ll definitely be leaving Bangkok with tons of new purchases. So be sure to leave your suitcases empty and have your wallet prepared before you venture into the many amazing malls that the city has to offer.
