Joanna James
Considered one of Bangkok's most popular retail hotspots, Sukhumvit is not only lined with iconic malls but is also home to sprawling local markets. Here are the five best thoroughfares and shopping centres to hit during a shopping spree in the area.
Having opened its doors back in 2015, EmQuartier Bangkok has been among the most coveted retail destinations in the Thai capital. Home to signature stores of some of the world's biggest and most popular luxury brands, EmQuartier Bangkok is a must-shop shopping Mecca for lovers of designer goods and international labels. Famed for its large atrium garden with its own waterfall, EmQuartier Bangkok is also one of Bangkok's top dining and entertainment hubs thanks to the list of high-end restaurants and event venues. As a part of the ‘EM District' building project that was responsible for converting Phrom Phong into one of the city's finest retail locales, this mega mall offers brand-conscious shoppers much to write home about.
Tourists based at Travelodge Sukhumvit 11 or any other Sukhumvit hotel must also venture down to the Terminal 21 Shopping Mall. Considered a hub for the city's young and restless shoppers, the venue boasts retail outlets by H&M and Nike to name a few. The Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is renowned for its exquisite interiors and an extensive range of designer stores. Besides shopping, it is also a great spot for wining and dining, with an alluring food court. Moreover, the mall boasts a Cineplex, making it a complete entertainment package. Nestled between Soi 21 and Soi 19, the mall is a popular hangout for local teens.
The Sukhumvit Market is one of the largest roadside thoroughfares in Bangkok. Also called Little Arabia, the market sits in the city's Middle Eastern quarter and was originally founded by Arab merchants and businessmen. Lined with stalls and kiosks selling everything from souvenirs to knock-offs of branded clothes, bags, accessories and DVDs, the Sukhumvit Market is a dream destination for budget shoppers in search of great deals. The night market's traditional bazaar atmosphere is also hard to beat as countless food vendors also set up shop to offer local delicacies and snacks to shoppers.
If one is in search of the poshest mall in Sukhumvit, Nana Square Shopping Mall will surely be in the running for top honours. Nana Square Shopping Mall is a heartland for those in search of branded electronics, clothes, accessories and everything in between, and the ground level of the mall is famed for its mega sales where one can buy lingerie, sportswear, shoes and other goodies at discounted rates. Travellers also frequent the mall's currency exchange and internet cafes.
As a mall that has come to embody Thailand's obsession with Japanese culture, Gateway Ekamai can best be described as a themed shopping centre like those found in Tokyo. The mall is complete with its own cherry trees and Japanese iconography, and some of the best areas of Gateway Ekamai is its third floor where one can find 30 independent boutiques specialising in clothes, accessories and jewellery selling wares in a market-like atmosphere. The electronics sections on the 4th and 5th floor are also ideal for those in search of mobile phones, cameras and the like.
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