Siam Paragon, Terminal 21, Pratunam Market & Platinum Mall
From vibrant street markets to air-conditioned shopping malls featuring luxurious brands such as Gucci, Rolex and Armani, Bangkok offers a broad spectrum of shopping opportunities. Just about everything can be bought in the city. Whether jewellery or entertainment or market stalls or designer clothing, just about everything imaginable can be bought in Bangkok, while the main shopping areas are also home to a range of other exciting attractions.
A Brief History
Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most vibrant marketplaces and is one of the cheapest places in the city to shop for cheap clothing, textiles and accessories. People who know how to drive a hard bargain are sure to find plenty of goodies here. Those who can’t stand the heat and crowds of Pratunam Market can take a short stroll to Platinum Mall, where the same kinds of items can be found with great deals and discounts available, especially for those who buy in large quantities.
Siam Paragon is Bangkok’s luxury mall and this is where the designer outlets hold residence. While many visitors may not be in the market for a new Ferrari or Hermes scarf, this is an excellent place to people watch. Siam Paragon also comes complete with a couple of bookshops offering tomes in English and other languages as well as a huge air-conditioned cinema complex on the top floor where films are shown in English and Thai with English subtitles.
Terminal 21 is one of Bangkok’s newest shopping malls and features an airport theme. Each floor represents a different part of the world and while a large number of chain shops can be found within the mall, it is also home to numerous exclusive and unique boutiques, many of which feature clothes and other items designed by the owners themselves.
What to See
Siam Ocean World is located on the basement floor of Siam Paragon and is the perfect place to take a break. Covering an area of 10,000 square meters, this aquatic attraction is one of the largest aquariums in South East Asia. It boasts more than 30,000 marine animals of 400 species and has a good number of interesting educational areas so that people can learn all about the big blue.
Tips for First Time Visitors
While all of the shopping malls in Bangkok come complete with fast food franchises and Western-style restaurants, people who want to pause their shopping spree for a bite to eat should head to the food court. Food courts can usually be found on the top floor and boast a wide range of dishes from around the world at bargain prices. Diners pay with tokens, which they can purchase at a stand at the entrance to the food court and simply take their pick from authentic Thai food or dishes from countries such as Japan, China, Germany, France and many more.
Area of Bangkok
Most shopping malls can be found in or close to the Siam district.