I dunno why, but i really do love Bangkok! Its so lively, it is alive around the clock non-stop and everything is cheap except for top-end branded goods (for these go to Hong Kong). One more thing if u wanna shop in Bangkok do avoid coming here on their Public Holiday, they have a few public holidays which more places would be closed whole day! To me, Bangkok has plenty of things to offer everyone no matter what u are into! Some shopping highlights (arranged according to priority 1-5 must go! the rest is optional) :
1. Cha Tu Chak Weekend Market (8am-6pm, Sat and Sunday only).Since this is a second trip its mainly a shopping trip. Everytime without miss my top priority when in BKK is not to miss Cha Tu Chak weekend market. The market is like a giant zinc roofed single level market with small alleys and tiny little stalls (thousands of them). It's hot, sticky, noisy, packed, and u'll sweat buckets. So be prepared, bring an umbrella or a large hat, and a large bottle of water, do wear comfy clothing like tshirt, short and sandals.
If u can u should always come Saturday and early before 9am. When its still cool and everything is fresh, plenty of choices. Plus if u want to cover every inch of the market u will definitely need to come back Sunday!
Normally i come early to get to be the first customer, so will get best bargain! Bargain like no tomorrow and after u pay them, they will normally take ur cash and lightly tap the walls and doors of the store with ur notes!
Things to buy : everything under the sun. My favourite here is their arts and craft and local Thai goods. Paintings on canvas, on wooden plank, pure thai silk traditional triangular pillow etc.
2. Suan Lum Night Baazar (6pm-1am, daily).This is the second must go shopping site. In theory it sells like 60% of the same type of goods sold in Cha Tu Chak but at a slightly higher price since it is opened daily. Everything in Suan Lum u can find in Cha Tu Chak but only 60% of Cha Tu Chak is sold here. IE, Suan Lum do not sell live animals (pets). Again do come early, it really get extremely hot and humid after 10pm! it feels like in a steam room!
One special thing u should get here is high quality copies of leather goods like wallets, purses, hand bags, man-bags(is there such a thing?), etc. It won't be as cheap as in Cha Tu Chak but here it is very well made and lots of them to choose from.
Things to buy : i normally but my copied leather stuffs here because more choices and top quality.
3. Jim Thompson Factory Outlet (Sukhumvit Soi 93, 9am-6pm, daily)OMG! I could practically live here, yes in the 5 storey shop! Top end thai silk, at dirt cheap prices. All imaginable home furnishing items in thai silk/cotton available here, cushion covers, napkins, table cloth, tissue box, coasters, table runner, place mats, etc. Bags, purses, of all sizes, handkerchief, dresses, shirts, tshirts, scarfs, all item of clothing in thai silk.
The best is that they sell all their silk and cotton fabric by the meters too! So u can buy some for ur 'Baju Raya' for new curtains, to reupholster the old sofa. As usual i normally spend a small fortune here, though cannot bargain, all prices are rock bottom and can use credit card and claim back the VAT (tax) charged at their airport later.
Things to buy : Everything Jim Thompson, everything silk. If u thing nothing here will interest u than u are so wrong! Hehehe...
4. Bangkok Malls4 main Bangkok main city malls are interconnected by a elevated walkway. Mah Boon Krong or MBK, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon. Shopping in MBK feels somewhat similar to shopping in Cha Tu Chak but its all air-conditioned, bright and airy albeit at high price tag(must bargain!) MBK would sell low to medium class of item. Something special here is the IT shops, hundreds of them all at 1 floor of this HUGE mall! Plenty to buy in MBK for allocate a few hours here. In the MBK food court there is 2 halal stalls, one selling arabic food and another selling traditional thai yellow rice(super nyummy!).
As u stroll from MBK to Siam Centre to Siam Discovery and finally to Siam Paragon, u'll be feasted upon higher and even higher end of the shopping spectrum. No bargaining here but do remember to get the special tourist discount card at Siam Paragon information center, (u'll get extra discount on everything) and do ask the shop to prepare ur VAT claim return form.
Actually there are more malls in BKK like Gaysorn (nope, not exclusively for Gays) and Emporium but it is not really with-in walking distance and again they sell the same high end goods as is Siam Paragon.
Things to buy : MBK plenty... IT stuffs, and clothes, cheap tshirts. Try the yellow rice in MBK foodcourt. Siam Paragon... CROCS its cheaper there than in KL (get the special tourist discount card and claim back ur VATs)
5. Pratunam Market and Platinum Fashion Mall and Pantip Plaza -IT Mall (10am-10pm)Pratunam and Fashion Mall to me sells very similar stuffs, but since the market is hot and humid like Cha Tu Chak price is much lower there. Fashion Mall sells the same stuffs but all in air-conditioned comfort. Pantip Plaza is where one go to get IT stuffs of pirated copy of anything. Cheap-cheap all can bargain!
Things to buy : Pratunam & Fashion Mall - clothes, ie, shirts, dress, ties, shoes, belts, bags(brandless not imitation goods), etc. And Pantip Plaza - everything IT, DVD, VCD, CD etc.
6. Sampeng Lane (daily 10am-5pm)This is Bangkok's wholesale market where normally local thais get the stock to sell at their shops. Very cheap, buy in bulk, limited bargaining, no one speak english and they won't even bother trying. No smiley faces, please buy my goods attitude from the store owners, it all business here folks. Still again very very cheap for limited number of goods like souvenirs, key chains, dolls, etc etc.
Things to buy : Souvenirs in bulk. Limited choices but cheapest anywhere. You can also get clothing fabric here.
7. Pat Pong Night Market (8pm till late i think).Near the heart of the red light district, the market specifically targets the tourist hence it is a bit pricey when compared to Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Goods sold are similar to Suan Lum.
Things to buy : Stuffs just like Suan Lum just more expensive, my advice window shop here but buy in Suan Lum.
8. Seacon Square (10am-9pm, daily)This place is a regular mall where most regular Thai do their shopping for everyday things. This mall is super duper HUGE! It is a bit far from the city center. I felt like renting a wheel chair after covering just 1 floor of the mall!
Thing to buy : Your everyday items. Groceries, etc.
Thats all folks! Do remember to claim back ur VAT. Need to get the form filled and stamped at every shop(mall) u go, though u cannot claim VAT from shopping in the markets. I've bought tickets to BKK in July 2009! Bangkok here i go again!!!
Labels: shopping, trip
