Local Products
Shopping
Areas and Markets
Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major
streets. There are many areas throughout Bangkok affording ample choices and easy
access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping areas.
Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong
Top department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area,
namely Central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza,
all of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore,
the World Trade Centre and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host the official handicraft
centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection
is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Phloenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mahboonkrong,
Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi. Silom-Surawong-Patpong
Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and is paralleled
by Surawong Road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to
housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys,
this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping
plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market. Silom-Mahesak-Charoenkrung
Road Silom leads into Charoenkrung Road which parallels the Chao Phraya River,
and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak
Road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex. Sukhumvit
Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, and the long road
is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana
Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between
Soi 3 and soi 21 (Asok) and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai.
Pratunam-Phetchaburi
A highlight in the district is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok’s biggest centres
for ready-to-wear clothing.
Baiyoke
Tower Located next to Bangkok’s tallest hotel building, Baiyoke tower is one of
the city’s renowned garment centres. Nai
Lert Plaza Situated close to Pratunam Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping
areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.
Bang
Lamphu Situated close to the Grand Palace, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where
clothing is a popular buy. Chinatown
Centre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok’s Chinatown offers a profusion
of gold shops as well as several nearby traditional shopping places such as Ban
Mo Jewellery Street, Phahurat Cloth Market and the Old Siam Plaza. Bo-be
Market Situated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city’s renowned
ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail. Jatujak
or Chatuchak Weekend Market Located adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market,
open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about
everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between a paradise
for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. The market also offers items of furniture
and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists
meet. Pak
Khlong Talat This is a wholesale market for all kinds of cut flowers and vegetables.
It is located on Maharat Road near the Memorial Bridge. The market is crowded
in the early morning and in the evening. Damnoen
Saduak Floating Market This popular attraction is some 80 kilometres west of Bangkok,
accessible by regular bus from the Southern Bus Terminal. Everyday, hundreds of
vendor boats crowd the market area in the early morning till noon. |