Joanna James
Tipped to be Asia's top retail hub, the capital of Thailand sure packs in a punch in terms of the sheer number of iconic malls occupying its confines. Here's a rundown of some of the biggest and most impressive shopping compounds in bustling Bangkok.
Occupying pride of place in Bangkok's Chidlom district, CentralWorld is one of the largest retail compounds in the city. Offering travellers a plethora of fashion outlets, the mall is equally well-known for its Isetan department store and the SF World Cinema theatre with a whopping 15 screens. With more than a hundred restaurants located within its confines, CentralWorld is also a great place for wining and dining.
Home to more than 250 stores, Siam Paragon is also where visitors will find one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia. True blue fashionistas in search of high-end couture and designs off the runways of Paris and Milan will find the mall's Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Prada outlets just as they enter. Containing some of Bangkok's best IT shops and Cineplexes, the venue is also conveniently located opposite the Siam BTS Skytrain Station.
If Bangkok has a plush mall for those on a budget, then it is surely the MBK Center. With an unbelievable two thousand stores to its name, this mall is spread out across seven floors and provides shoppers with affordable and reasonably priced streetwear, IT accessories, ornaments, luggage and even video games. It is also the only mall in the city where one can haggle down the price of an item as there are several wholesale shops inside the premises.
Tourists based at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel or any other hotel in the area will find that Asiatique The Riverfront is the finest mall on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Boasting some of the best Bangkok restaurants in town, the mall is contained within a complex of warehouses that have been converted into luxury shopping and dining hubs. More than 1500 shops and forty eateries are part of this venue, which is open from 5 pm onwards. Although it is a prime retail hotspot, seasoned tourists also head out to the mall during the evening so as to take in the many performances that are also hosted at the location.
Situated in Ploenchit, the Central Embassy Shopping Mall is an ultra-luxurious mall dedicated to those in search of specific brands and fine dining experiences. Known for its minimalistic design principles, the venue, which is ideally located close to the Ploen Chit BTS Skytrain Station is perhaps best known for the open-air book shop that offers a series of titles that are difficult to find elsewhere in Bangkok.
With 600 shops to its name, the 9-storey Terminal 21 is perhaps the best place to pick up souvenirs and beauty products during a holiday in Bangkok. This Sukhumvit mall is equally well-known for the affordable dining venues located in its food court.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
