#25 | Bangkok Travel Guide | 8 Shopping Places For The Shopaholics

Good day! Been off momentum for posting here for awhile but I'm back in full swing with a solid post. Here's my guide of my 8 favourite places to shop in Bangkok! But before I begin, I would like to thank the readers for checking back on Wednesdays even if I have not posted anything for the past weeks, I'm very touched. X

 1.  P L A T I N U M  M A L L

I'm starting off with the easiest on the list. If you're going to Bangkok, I'm sure you will know about this amazing mall that is almost impossible to finish in a day. Platinum Fashion Mall is made up to 2 different complex, one is the older building (the main bulk) and the other is the newer one (beside Novotel Hotel). Despite going there every time I visit Bangkok and making multiple visits per trip, I'm not very sick of this place yet. The mall is organised in a way that it makes shopaholics like me very happy as they have sorted most of the stores according to what they sell by level! That's 6 floors of happiness.

What you can find here would be Women clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, swimwear, intimates, and beauty products; Men clothes, bags and shoes (Level 3 and 4 of the newer mall) ; Children clothes (Level 5 & 6 of the newer mall), pet clothes, food court (Level 6 of the newer mall) and some small cafes. 

However you might want to know that it is not the cheapest place to shop in Bangkok. Items here can be priced between 100 to 1000 baht. Most of them fall between the 200 to 400 baht range, which is still rather reasonable for the trendiness and uniqueness of product. Just like most part of the Bangkok shopping experience, they usually do not allow you to try on the clothes and have a one size fit all policy. But rest assured that there are shops that sells products in sizes, especially if its bottoms and shirts.

Being the biggest fashion wholesale mall in Thailand, you can bet your every dime there that you will be so spoilt for choices and before you know it, BOOM, you're walking out of the mall with big bags of shopping and a much lighter wallet. But hey! You know you're one happy person.

Platinum Fashion Mall

Location: Ratchathewi, จังหวัด กรุงเทพมหานคร Thailand

Opening Hours: 10am to 8pm

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is Chit Lom, have to walk quite a distance, taking a taxi or tuktuk is recomended.

Recommended Time Spend*: 4 hours > for females, 2 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 2500 baht for females, 1000 baht for males

Photo Source: http://www.bangkokcityhotel.com/nearby.html 

Photo Source: http://mons-diary.blogspot.sg/2014/09/bangkok-trip-day-1-platinum-fashion.html

2. C I T Y  C O M P L E X

A much lesser known shopping destination, this one is for my chubby friends or office ladies. My Mum is a huge fan of this mall and we always make a stop by here when we are in the area. Just right across the eye catching Platinum Fashion Mall, this humble and slightly duller looking complex is the best place to shop for female "Plus-size" clothing and office wears.

This wholesale mall is more established considering how I remembered it to be there every since my first few visits to Bangkok in late 2000s. You can find Tailor shops and quirky flashy Costume shops on the upper levels (Level 3 to 4). For "Plus-size" clothing, it's located on the basement of the mall, which you can gain entry from outside of the main building. As for Office Wears, you can find it from the basement to Level 3. Not forgetting, it is a great place to buy bottoms, like skirts, shorts, jeans, pants for both gender at really low prices, more so if you buy in bulk.

The mall also seems to have a famous food court, which I have not yet to try. But from what I have read up, others seem to say that they serve very good Thai food. Do let me know in the comments below if you had given it a try! Despite being air-conditioned, I still like to buy myself a cup of frappe (flavourful and affordable) from this corner coffee stand near the lift, located on the basement at the first entrance from Amari Hotel. 

The reason why my Mum love this mall is because of its rather trendy and good quality clothes available here. She love the chiffon dresses, work pants and office shirts that she can purchase here and soak in the great Bangkok shopping experience too. I mean, she can buy those items in Singapore, but not at the prices and fit you can find in this mall ranging from 100 baht for a shirt to only 500 baht for a dress. She beams widely whenever its her turn to shop here, and she almost buys every single pattern or colour there is if she sees a particular design that she likes.

Disclaimer: When I state "Plus-size", I'm not dissing chubbier people, its not a nice label I know. But that's just what the mall call their products. I hope you understand what I mean, additionally, my Mum is in this category, I'm just sharing this for the chubbier people who feel left out from the experience. Hey, Bangkok did not forget about you. Every body is a piece of art, we can all be fashionable and happy together. x

City Complex

Location: Soi Phetchaburi 21 (Kanchana), Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

The mall is right beside Amari Hotel and opposite Platinum Fashion Mall.

Opening Hours: 10am to 7pm 

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is Chit Lom, have to walk quite a distance, taking a taxi or tuktuk is recomended.

Recommended Time Spend*: 2 hours < for females, 1 hours < for males

Budget Allocation*: 1500 baht for females, 1000 baht for males

Mall Exterior (on the right), as you can see, it is right opposite Platinum Fashion Mall on your left.

Photo Source: http://www.giasaysthat.com/2014/05/plus-size-clothing-bangkok-thailand.html

3. P R A T U N U M  M A R K E T

This is a given. Haha this market is so much adored by the locals and tourist because of its really dirt cheap clothes and experience you can take in here. If you like choices, the maze like infrastructure of the place, the haggling experience while displaying some auntie-skills, this is the right place for you!

Do however note that you're signing up for a very hot and humid shopping environment, where humans strangers stick really close to you. You might just not know what a straight road is anymore as you'll be constantly weaving in and out as people come from all directions. But hey, once you beat those external factors and put your bargaining skills to use, you'll feel like a winner.

There are different shopping sessions, as I would like to call it, when shopping at Pratunum. Well, the 1st Session is the Before Dawn Madness. Basically what happens is that between 4 am to 9 am there will be business people who come and buy in huge bulks. This is also the time you will get to see the most amount of stores scattered on the streets and in between stores. I've been at that timing once and it was extremely crowded. I was paying about nearly half the price (Between 30 baht to 250 baht per item) I would have to pay if I were to purchase it in the 2nd Session, making the squeeze so worth it.

The 2nd Session would be the usual shopping you can get there between 9am to 5pm. By this time, most of the wholesaler stores have packed and left for their business in other parts of Bangkok, leaving behind those with owned stores. The prices in the 2nd Session might not be as great as the 1st Session, but it is still considerably cheap as compared to the mall prices for similar goods (Between 50 baht to 300 baht per item).

The 3rd Session between 5pm to 9pm, would have the least amount of shops opened. By this time, the shops on the streets at the market would have closed, only leaving those in the nearby malls such as Baiyoke Tower I and Baiyoke Tower II.

Shopping here is a great experience for those who love to put their haggling skills to test and well just love snagging cheap stuff (i.e the quality might not be there, but is still acceptable. Just remember to check the goods for working zips or bad stitching or frays before you give your cash). You can find a wide variety of clothes here, the latest fashion wears, swim wear, intimates, accessories, bags and hats, ointments, street snacks etc. There are a few money changer around here with rather okay exchange rate. (Near Baiyoke Sky Hotel)

Pratunum Market

Location: Soi Phetchaburi 21 (Kanchana), Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

The mall is right beside Amari Hotel and opposite Platinum Fashion Mall.

Opening Hours: 4am to 9pm 

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is Chit Lom, have to walk quite a distance, taking a taxi or tuktuk is recomended.

Recommended Time Spend*: 3 hours > for females, 1 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 2500 baht for females, 1000 baht for males

Photo Source: http://www.sheilamandy.com/2013/05/highlights-of-bangkok-day-2-video.html

Photo source: http://jjinglebell.blogspot.sg/2014/02/bangkok-trip-summary.html

Photo source: https://priscilliaku.wordpress.com/tag/hotel/

4. C H A T U C H A K

Also known as JJ Market or the weekend market, this is almost a must visit place in Bangkok for shopaholics. Famous for not only their coconut ice-cream, this area boast to sell a large variety of household products, furniture, clothes, snacks, accessories, pet clothes, children clothes, artificial gardening materials, glass wares etc. Its almost like an IKEA + Giant combined.

Shopping here on weekends is double the heat, double the people but definitely double the happiness. Being able to squeeze in the hustle and bustling here is more than a joy when you eyes lay upon all the pretty little trinkets or snack on authentic cheap Thai snacks. Be sure to put on your most comfortable shoes, wear light clothing and stay hydrated. Bring your own Eco-shopping bag / trolleys if you can to minimise shopping bags they provide. (Which usually end up lying in the hotel trash can at the end of our trip. Let's save the Earth!)

It would be ideal to visit on the weekends than weekdays if you want the full experience. Their weekday scene is pretty empty with more than half the stores closed.

If you have not already, you can read my full review here on Chatuchak.

Chatuchak Market

Location: Chatuchak, จังหวัด กรุงเทพมหานคร Thailand

Opening Hours:  
Wed - Thurs: (Plants and Flowers section)6am - 6pm
Friday: (Wholesale day) 6am - 6pm
Sat - Sun: (Miscellaneous) 6am - 6pm

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is Mo Chit

Recommended Time Spend*: 5 hours > for females, 3 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 4000 baht for females, 2500 baht for males

5. J J  G R E E N  M A R K E T

What is this place? Well, I've just found out about it too. If you like Chatuchak but want to have more vintage finds with a more chillax atmostphere than the very crampy and ka-rang gun-neh feel, JJ Green (horn) is the place for you.

This place just opened last year in 2014 and is already one of the up and coming places. The scene promises to overflow with bohemian, hipster and youthful vibes, promoting the cafe and western culture in their products and music. I guess I can only do a full review when I have visited this place myself.

The best part is that this market is opened on the weekdays and weekends from day till the wee hours, isn't that good news or what? Moreover, the location of this place is in the vicinity of Chaktuchak. Located around Mo Chit BTS, if you ever forget about Chaktuchak being a weekend market and visit on the weekday, you can just walk over here to utlise your BTS fare.

You might want to check out these sites for their full review on JJ Green: One , Two , Three

JJ Green Market

Location: 1 Kamphaeng Phet 3, Chatuchak, Bangkok

Opening Hours: Thurs - Sun 17:00 – 02:00

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is Mo Chit

Recommended Time Spend*: 3 hours > for females, 2 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 2500 baht for females, 1500 baht for males

Photo source: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/content/night-owls-favorite-market-siam-gypsy-market-jj-green

6. T A L A D  R O D  F A I  

Continuing on the roll of vintage market, if you enjoy being in a soulful environment that fills the air with indie music and screams art, this one you'll love. This market located at the suburbs has a life of its own, it is a market like no other you have visited in Bangkok. Being one of the local's favourite market, this new Talad Rod Fai (train-track market) that relocated to Srinakarin Road Soi 51 is amazingly big and speaks retro and vintage in every corner. It's one of the best place to soak in the local culture of shopping, eating and having fun without being so commercialised.

There are 3 main sections, from the Market Zone (Selling everyday products such as shoes, in trend clothes, homewares etc), Warehouse Zone (Selling electronic appliances, household products, vintage fashion items, old collectables, anime toys etc) and Rod's Antiques (More premium high end /rare vintage things in factory like buildings.)

It would be bigger than Chatuchak, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a huge shopping bag! The things here range greatly from really cheap clothes at 100 baht to some pretty expensive vintage items in the thousands. If some furniture or decorative pieces caught your eyes for your new house/room, I am sure they do have shipping services provided at certain stores.

You can also expect to see many bars there and also Thai Street food. It would be a good place to hang out for the whole day if you want to fully explore the place and have huge interest for rustic and vintage things. Even if you are not buying anything, it is really an eye opening experience to see life size old school things instead of them on television or in miniature forms. Snapping photos should be fine at most of the shops, people there are quite friendly. But I would suggest that you refrain from touching the items, especially the vintage ones, as some of them are rare items and it would be such a headache for you and your wallet if it was accidentally damaged.

Bars, restaurants and cute little themed cafes are common sightings, specially if you entered by walking from Seacon Square. The locals know how to live the night by creating festive atmospheres with their live band performances, random sing along with hands in the air, echos of laughter and with their glasses raised. Its such a party. And even if you are not a party animal, there are dainty little cafes there perfect for a date or just chilling with your travel-mates. Some of these cafe which I remembered to have costumes you can dress up as, like a witch-themed cafe. There was even a cat cafe there that was had 2 levels! But if you prefer to give the kampong local food a try, there is a warehouse-sheltered area near the back of the market with many food shacks. You'll get to eat Thai BBQ, authentic Thai Green Tea (Which by the way, serves in a really big cup for about $3? Think bigger than Big Gulp), Seafood, finger food etc. There's food for everyone!

Getting here can be quite a hassle and very time consuming as it is located near the outskirts. I had to take a BTS ride to Udom Suk which was already about half an hour, and then flag a taxi with another half an hour to forty minutes ride (because of the Bangkok jam). The taxi fare was about 90 baht by meter from Udom Suk Station, so just a heads up!

Talad Rod Fai Market

Location: Srinakarin Road Soi 51 (behind Seacon Square)

Opening Hours: Thurs - Sun 16:00 – 00:00

Getting Here: Nearest BTS is On Nut or Udom Suk, there is no convenient way to come here except taking a taxi from either of the stations I have mentioned. Tell the taxi driver to drop you at or opposite Seacon Square (A shopping mall near the market, then walk towards this tyre shop beside the mall and keep walking straight. You will see an arrow mentioning the market pointing to your left. You will then be welcomed by a long row of cafes and bars and that's when you know you are at the right place!

Recommended Time Spend*: 5 hours > for females, 4 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 5500 baht for females, 3500 baht for males

ENTRANCE TO ROD FAI MARKET AFTER THE TYRE SHOP, TURN LEFT WHEN YOU SEE THIS SHIP!

Photo Source: http://thebigmangolife.com/2014/05/25/finally-finding-talat-rod-fai/
THIS IS THE ENTRANCE AFTER TURNING LEFT, IT LEADS TO THE MAIN MARKET

Photo Source: http://bunbunmakeuptips.com/a-market-like-no-other-bangkok-talat-rod-fai-vintage-night-market/

Photo Source: https://isaacloo.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/rod-fai-bangkok-latest-night-market/samsung-csc-114/

BONUS: You can check out a new Rod Fai Market opened in 2015 that is much more conveniently located near Chatuchak. It is called Rot Fai Market Ratchada. It's size is not comparable to the one I am recommending, but if you ever get bored (I highly doubt), you can give this a visit.

Rod Fai Market Ratchada

Location: Ratcadaphisek Road (close to Esplanade Shopping Mall)

Opening Hours: Thurs - Sun 17:00 – 00:00

Getting Here: Nearest MRT is National Cultural Center, Nearest BTS is Mo Chit

Recommended Time Spend*: 2 hours > for females, 1 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 2500 baht for females, 1500 baht for males

Photo Source: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/02/05/new-market-goers-favorite-train-night-market-ratchada

7. B A N G K O K  C H I N A T O W N

Nothing beats hearing a familiar language and being able to read signage (in neon or bright red, typical) in a foreign country. Chinatown is almost a must visit every time as I just feel so comfortable in the sounds of some Mandarin and eating Chinese food at the restaurants there. And of course all the pawn/gold shops there, we Chinese do love our golds.

Although the area is not as Chinese-Chinese, it is still Thailand after all, so it does not look as different as the other areas of Bangkok with their low rising two to 4 stories buildings and cable clutter above your head.

This place is better known as Yao Wa Rat to the locals and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes taxi ride from platinum mall. Expect, like almost most of the shopping areas mentioned, to be hustling among other shoppers to get good bargains. However, squeal with delight to know that this is also a wholesale market for accessories! Cheap cheap! You can find a lot of toys, stationary, hats, hair accessories, bags (but not the very trendy kind), dry food (herbs, bird nest, scallops etc), cute cartoon pouches and merchandises etc.

There is not much to shop around if you are not interested in the things that I have mentioned. But if you are then check out Sampeng lane, a very cluttered but full-of-surprises street. You'll see handicrafts at one end to shops selling Christmas decorations even if its only in March. #Partypeople I would really love to visit it during their Chinese New Year festival though, I heard that things get really turnt up.

You'll easily spend about half a day here cause it is so easy to get lost and the area is pretty big with little to no directions. Most of the streets look the same with all the blaring signs and sky high goods piled up at every store. But do check out the smaller lanes if you can as I often find better deals there! And if you get lost and tired, you might just have to hop on the cab whenever you want to call it a day there.

Chinatown

Location: Soi Wanit 1

Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 – 17:00

Getting Here: Taxi

Recommended Time Spend*: 2 hours > for females, 1 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 1000 baht for females, 500 baht for males

Photo Source: http://tastythailand.com/how-to-get-to-bangkoks-sampeng-market-and-what-to-buy-when-you-do/

Photo Source: http://www.thailandwanderer.com/visit-bangkoks-chinatown/

8. T E R M I N A L  2 1

Last but not least, this one is for the people who love the malls, want to get away from the Bangkok heat for a while and yet want to have a unique experience. Around the world in 80 days? How about around the world in 1 day. Possible? Let me introduce to you a cool concept mall, Terminal 21 - a country themed mall, how exciting! This malls brings you to famous cities around the world without you buying a plane ticket there, all you need is the magical thing called the *wait for it* escalator! (Or the lift...)

This malls chooses famous cities such as Rome, Paris, Tokyo, London, San Francisco etc, which each floor having monuments/statues or decorations to look exactly like the city. Its pretty sick to the extend that they even decorate the toilets according to that city! The exterior of the mall, clad with steel frames and big glass window panels resembles much of an airport. The entrance of the mall have those security scan machines and you can find huge electronic boards and signs about "flight details" or about the city you are going to etc. The workers there also dress up as air stewardess or pilots adding up to the whole special shopping experience.

This 9 floored mall, houses big international brands like H&M, Esprit, Camper, Addidas, Baskin Robbins, BreadTalk (Yay home grown brand!), the Face Shop and many many more. However the charm to this mall are those shops that sells very country specific items. One of my favourite level has got to be Istanbul, which I believe is on the third floor, sells intricate items that I did indeed saw in Turkey, those famous lamp-lights decorations and carpets! Bringing back good memories.

The Tokyo and San Francisco level was not too bad too, with many spots as great photo taking opportunities. The Rome one even had big lion head figures installed into the walls of the toilet and have a mini Trevi Fountain in the middle of the mall. And if you are there, try spotting a red Vespa at one of the corner of the mall to give off a very strong European feel. (Especially after you have watched Lizzie Mcguire the Movie)

There is no lack of food choices here, with many famous restaurants and cafes residing here, not to mention an international food court to spoil you even more. The rows of stores on each floor further prove that shopping is indeed a cardio (it is mine for sure!), it is hard to call the mall boring. However, things here are not as cheap as what you will expect the Bangkok price to be like as it is after-all a mall with many international brands.

Terminal 21

Location: Sukhumvit Rd, Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 – 22:00

Getting Here: BTS Asok (Mall is right beside the BTS)

Recommended Time Spend*: 4 hours > for females, 3 hours > for males

Budget Allocation*: 3000 baht for females, 1500 baht for males

 


 
 

Photo source: http://www.foodytaste.com/?p=349

Disclaimer: All photos that are not credited are my own. For comments marked with * are my personal opinion and may differ from person to person. x

Phew! That is about it for this travel guide, hope that it is another helpful piece for a more general guide around Bangkok. I love being able to plan my own trips as you can just visit specific places and not be trapped in the nasty tight schedules of tour groups (Which often brings you to dubious and uninterested farms or factories..)

Do leave a comment if you have places to recommend for Bangkok and I will check them out the next time I'm there. Thanks for reading till this far. Love yourself and others, Adios! 

X Sharleen