Looking for bargains or just window shopping?
in either case check out our listings.
BANGKOK IS A GREAT SHOPPING DESTINATION. Excellent bargains in
clothes, antiques, handicrafts, textiles, readymade clothes, etc
are to be had. The local bazaars are full of colour and bargains
while the swank department stores have the latest in brand names.
MABOONKRONG. <MBK> Trendy
clothes, shoes, and all accessories. Plus lots of designer
fakes. Siam Square area. Sky train Station: National Stadium.
BAIYOKE PLAZA AND PRATUNAM MARKET. Ideal
place for great bargains when it comes to clothes. Probably
the cheapest in Bangkok. Near Indra Regent Hotel, Pratunam
area.
CENTER POINT. A meeting point for youngsters.
They come in the most fashionable attire to shop for clothes
and accessories. Restaurants, internet cafes, snack bars
and shopping: mainly trendy clothes. Siam Square, Rama I
Rd. Sky train Station: Siam
CENTRAL. When it comes to department stores
Central is ubiquitous. Probably the most popular department
store, it offers good quality products. More than 10 branches
in Bangkok. Central City Bangna is the biggest and deserves
a visit though Central Chidlom is most favored by tourists. Sky train Station: Chidlom
ERAWAN BANGKOK. Boutique Mall, designed
for urban shoppers. It is full of brand names. Plus Urban
Kitchen (14 ethnic cuisines)and Well ness & Beauty Centre.
Ratchaprasong intersection... Sky train Station: Chidlom.
THE EMPORIUM. An impressive department
store with up-scale retail shops offering world famous brand
names. Plus cinema halls. On Sukhumvit 24. Sky train
Station: Phrom Pong.
OP PLACE. For arts, antiques and handicraft
shops. Its European Renaissance architecture and elegant
decor make for luxurious shopping. Behind the Oriental Hotel.
02 266 0186-95.
PANTIP PLAZA. Computer haven. For hardware
and all kinds of software. Best prices in town. Latest DVDs
and CDs as well as MP3 downloads. Petchburi Rd.
RIVER CITY. For arts and antiques. River
City is also the departure point for most river cruises.
Near Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel. 02 237 0077-8.
SEACON SQUARE. It houses Robinson and
Lotus and a skating rink, a bowling alley and 14 theatres.
Srina¬karin Road.
SIAM DISCOVERY CENTER. An up-market shopping
centre aimed at the young. Five storeys of great shopping.
Each floor catering to different tastes, beginning with
the teenagers on the ground floor and the young ones on
fifth. Plus cinema halls. Next to Siam Center, Rama I Road. Sky train Station: Siam.
CENTRAL WORLD PLAZA. A shopping spree
at the Central World Plaza is more of an expedition. Two
department stores: Zen and Isetan plus lots of boutiques
and retail shops. Ratchadamri Road. Sky train Station: Chidlom. -. Map of Central
world plaza.-
GAYSORN. Five storey, high
end shopping complex featuring world famous brand names
and designer boutiques including Louis Vuitton's largest
store in Asia. At the comer of Ratchadamri intersection. Sky train Station: Chidlom.
Besides the above there is Robinson which
has a number of branches. On the lower end of the scale,
in terms of prices, are Big C, Tesco Lotus and Carrefour: low prices, good quality
but no brand names. There are also a number of Japanese
owned department stores like Isetan, Sogo, Tokyo, but prices tend to be on the higher
side.
CHITRALADA. Outlets
of The Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit which
encourages indigenous handicrafts 15 outlets in Thailand (six
in Bangkok). Basket ware, hand-embroidered linen, belts, spectacle
cases, organizers, purses, wallets etc. Oriental Place; Royal
Thai Decorations pavilion, Grand Palace; Bangkok Int'l Airport
(Terminal 1 and 2); Vimanmek Mansion, Amporn Palace; Royal
Garden Riverside Hotel Plaza.
NARAI PHAND. Biggest Thai
handicraft centre in Thailand. Thai silk, cotton fabric,
bronze ware, ceramics, lacquer ware, Thai dolls, teak wood
products, reproduction antiques, etc. Very reliable. Reasonable
prices. Open daily 10am - 8pm (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). Opposite
Central World Plaza. Rajadamri Rd. 02 252 4670-9.
SILOM VILLAGE. This complex
offers a large number of Thai handicrafts at a reasonable
price. Open daily Warn till midnight. Silom Rd. 02 234 4448.
TAM NAN MINGMUANG. Thai handicrafts
from all over the country. Baskets, benjarong ware, terra
cotta figures, wood carvings, etc. Open daily 10am - 8pm
(Cards:AE, V). Thaniya Plaza, Silom Rd. 02 231 2120, and
Amarin Plaza, Ploenchit Rd. 02 256 9929
THAI CRAFT MUSEUM SHOP. Quality
handicrafts from all over Thailand. (Cards: AE, DC, MC,
V). Open daily 10am - 9pm. 4/F, Erawan Sogo, Ploenchit Rd.,
02 250 0018.
SILKS JAGTAR & SONS. Manufacturer
of fine Thai Silk uphols¬tery and tapestry. (Cards: AE,
DC, MC, V). Sukhumvit Soi 11: open 9am - 6pm, closed on Sun,
02 255 7380; Time Square: open 10am - 7pm, closed on Sun,
02 250 0273.
LAANTAI. Known for its hand
woven Thai silk. Plus antique silk outfits. Open daily 10am
- 7pm. (Cards:
AE, MC, V). 2/F, The Promenade, Hilton Hotel, Wireless Rd.,
02 267 8883.
JIM THOMPSON. Most well-known
Thai silk operation. Expensive but the quality is the best
to be had. Outlets:
Surawong Road; Oriental Hotel, Central World Plaza; Emporium;
Central Chidlom; The Regent Hotel; Hotel Plaza Athenee;
Grand Hyatt Hotel; etc. RACHNIDA. Combines advanced technology
and traditional craftsmanship to create beautiful Thai silk
for curtains, upholstery, cushions, etc. (Cards: AE, DC,
MC, V). Head Office: 246/2 Ekamai 20, 02 714 8920¬2.
Outlets at Natural Park, Sukhumvit Soi 49; G/F, Pan Pacific
Hotel, Rama 4 Rd; Narai Phand, Rajadamri Rd; International
Airport, Terminal 1, Departure Duty Free.
SHINAWATRA. Everything from
silk to ready-to-wear garments. Plus neckties and scarves.
Shinawatra Thai Bldg., Rama 4, 02 633 1200.
CLOTHES
When it comes to clothes, Bangkok is one
of the best places to shop. The garment industry has run amuck
here with everything from designer wear to casuals. Brand
names like Celine, Giordano, Armani, Hugo Boss, Max Mara,
Nautica, DKNY, etc. are easily available here.
Thinking
of stocking up on Thai designer wear. Local Fashion houses
such as Jaspal (18 branches), Duangjai
Bis, Pichita, Nagara, Metta, Greyhound, and Chaps have everything from chic daywear
to cocktail dresses. However, if you are minding the budget
and want cheaper options head for Pratunam on Petchburi
Road for cheap t-shirts, dresses, trousers of all hues and
designs. Also check out Pahurat Road. For custom-made clothes
choose any of the tailors lining the top end of Sukhumvit
Road. These tailors offer astonishing bargains and most
promise to have your clothes ready in no time. Shop around
before you settle on one. Consider including traditional
Thai batik sarongs (now also fashioned as skirts) in your
list.
CHRISTIE'S AUOION
HOUSE. The world's oldest fine art auctioneers. Open
Mon - Fri, 10am - 6pm. The Peninsula Plaza, Ratchadamri Rd.,
02 652 1097.
RIVER CITY. Has regular auctions throughout the year. Near Royal Orchid
Sheraton Hotel. 02 237 0077-8.
SOTHEBY'S AUOION HOUSE. Hosts regular exhibitions. The company organizes two auctions
per year in Asia, normally conducted in Singapore, Hong
Kong or Taipei. Open Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5pm. At Sukhothai
Hotel, South Sathorn Rd., 02 286 0788.
ANONG GALLERY. Each
piece of jewellery is a work of art and the entire collection
is designed by Khun Anong, the owner. Definitely in the collectible
category. Open daily except Sunday. Second floor, Peninsula
Plaza. 02 252 3070, 02 254 4450-2.
THE
ASHWOOD GALLERY. A permanent exhibition of antiques
such as old Chinese cupboards made from teak wood, Buddha
images in different sizes. Two outlets: River City, 3/F,
23 Yotha Rd, 02 237 0077 ext. 314, and Oriental Place, G/F,
30/1 Soi CharoenKrung 38, near Oriental Hotel, 02 266 0187-95.
GALLERIE@444. Rare objets
d'art, antique furniture, paintings, wood and bronze artifacts,
etc. open daily from 11 am to 7pm. (Cards: AE, MC, V). 4/F,
River City Complex, 02 237 0077.
GLASS GALLERY AND LIGHTING EMPORIUM. Good quality stained art at reasonable prices. Everything
from windows and panels to lamps and other objets d'art.
Open 9am - 7pm. Closed on Sun. No credit card accepted.
228 Siam Square Soi 2. 02 251 1151.
KILIN. Antiques and art objects
from Thailand, China and Myanmar both original and reproductions.
Open 10.30am - 6.30pm closed on Sun. (Cards: AE, DC, MC,
V). Oriental Place, 02 266 0186-95
LOTUS ARTS DE VIVRE. This
store offers designer jewellery, objets d'art, cutlery,
paintings, etc. from all over Asia. 4 outlets in the city:
The Regent Bangkok Hotel, 02 250 0730, The Oriental Bangkok
Hotel, 02 235 1875, The Sukhothai Bangkok Hotel, 02 287
0222, The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel, 02 861 1168.
THE FINE ARTS THE HEIGHT. Hand-made ship models - Royal barges, Asian junks and modern
cruisers ¬reproduced in exquisite detail. Open daily
9.30am¬7.30pm. (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). River City Shopping
Complex, 3/F, 02 237 0077 ext. 354.
OLD MAPS & PRINTS. All
kinds of old maps and prints. The oldest map exhibited in
the shop dates to 1482. Prices begin at Bt 1,000. Joerg
Kohler, an antiquarian, can give you the run down on each
item. Open daily 11 am - 7pm. (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). River
City Shop¬ping Complex, 02 237 0077 ext. 432.
SILOM ART. Antiques from
Asia and Europe. Open daily. (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). 2/F.,
River City Shopping Complex, Yotha Rd., 02 639 4078.
THE SILOM GALLERIA. Jewellery,
antiques and handi¬crafts. Regular art exhibitions.
Open daily. Silom Rd, near Holiday Inn Crown Plaza, 02 630
0950.
CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET. Everything from crockery to antiques at bargain prices. Check
for quality and do bargain. Open only on Sat. and Sun. from
early morning till dark. Opposite the Northern Bus Terminal.
Sky train Station: Morchit.
BAIYOKE
PLAZA AND PRATUNAM MARKET. Ideal place for great
bargains when it comes to clothes. Probably the cheapest
in Bangkok. Near Indra Regent Hotel, Pratunam area.
PATPONG NIGHT MARKET. All
of Patpong turns into a busy night market full of stalls
selling garments, all fake brand names. Plus tapes and CDs,
pirated videos, watches, various Thai handicrafts, games,
leather items, souvenirs and the like. Sky train Station:
Saladaeng.
SUAN LUM NIGHT BAZAAR. Seven
nights a week night bazaar with around 3,700 shops selling
everything from clothes and handicrafts to modern furniture
and funky lamps. Plus restaurants and beer gardens. Opposite
Lumpini Park, Wireless Road. Underground Station: Lumpini.
BOBAE TOWER. A warren of
hundreds of small shops selling clothes for kids and adults.
Great bargains. About half an hour from MBK. Lanluang Road.
SAMPENG AND PAHURAT. For
Chinese essentials head for Sampeng and for Indian products
Pahurat. Excellent bargains in fabrics. The two areas border
on each other.
ASIA BOOKS. Great collection
of travel guides. Exten¬sive selection on Thailand. Plus
loads of other reading matter. (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). At
Seacon Square, Central City Bangna, Emporium, World Trade
Center, Times Square, Thaniya Plaza, Landmark Plaza, Penin¬sula
Plaza, 221 Sukhumvit Soi 15-17.
KINOKUNIYA. One of the best English bookstores l Bangkok. Very comprehensive
selection. 3/F, Emporium Shopping Center, Sukhumvit Road
near Soi 24, Bangkok, 02 664 8554.
To rent a car you must be between 23
to 60 years old and in possession of a valid International
Driving Permit, or local driver's license and a credit card.
AVIS RENT A CAR. Branches allover Thailand. All types of cars. (Cards: AE,
DC, MC, V). Head Office, 2/2 Wireless Rd.,02 255 5300-4.
BUDGET RENT A CAR. Offers
competitive rates from 4¬wheel drives to vans. One-way
rental available. Free delivery and pickup services. (Cards:
AE, DC, MC, V). Head Office, 19/23 Bldg. A, RCA, New Petchburi
Rd., 02 203-0250.
HERTZ RENT A CAR. Offers
reliable services with quality cars but limited choice.
(Cards: AE, DC, MC, V). Head Office, Sukhumvit Soi 71, 02
267 5161-2.
CD WAREHOUSE. Wide range
of international music, from classics to pop. Open daily
10 am - 10 pm. (Cards: AE, DC, MC, V).The Mall Bangkapi,
World Trade Center, Siam Discovery, Emporium and Siam Center.
MANG PONG. All kinds
of videos, tapes and CDs. 18 branches in Bangkok such as
Central World Plaza, MBK, Central Rama 3.
THE ASPARA. Full range
of services offered: body scrubs, hydro massage baths, seaweed
wraps, toning wraps, facials, different types of massages
as well as other types of beauty treatments. Hotel Plaza Athenee,
Wireless Rd., 02 650 8800 ext. 5010.
BANYAN
TREE SPA. More than 20 programs of spa service.
Plus five exclusive spa packages. Gym facilities, Bt 500.-
per day, Banyan Tree Bangkok, South Sathorn Rd., 02 679
1200.
BEING SPA. A day spa. Promises
peace and serenity, surrounded by lush gardens in the heart
of Bangkok. Three categories of treatments including facials
and body massage treatments. Traditional treatments and
highest quality natural spa products used. Sukhumvit 51,026626171.
CHI. Nine private spa suites
with over 35 specialized body, water, massage and facial
therapies. All spa suites have expansive views of the Chao
Phraya River. Shangri-La Hotel, Charoenkrung Rd, 02 236
7777.
CHIVIT CHIVA. In the heart
of the city. Oriental style relaxation techniques. Skillful
therapists. Booking recommended. Open daily from 1 Oam-l1
pm. 02 2530607-8.
DEVARANA SPA. Luxurious healing treatments offered in stress-relieving
environment inspired by the concept of garden in heaven.
Plus meditation and yoga room. Dusit Thani Hotel, Rama 4
Rd, 02 6363596.
JW'S HEALTH CLUB & SPA. Head to toe treatments. One day gym facilities at Bt450.
JW Marriott Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd., 02 656 7700.
MANDARA SPA. A tropical
spa offering facials, relaxing baths and natural body therapies
ranging from Inter¬national classics to exotic Thai
traditions. Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, Charoen Nakorn
Rd., 02 476 0022.
THE ORIENTAL SPA. In a traditional
Thai house. Offers beauty and relaxation treatments from
Bt 1,000. Full day programs from US$230. Open daily 9am.-10pm.
The Oriental Hotel, 02 437 7613-4
SEASONS SPA. A vast selection
of head-to-toe treatments to choose from. Plus Aroma Stone
therapy 10am - 10pm. Conrad Bangkok, Wireless Rd. 02 690
9355.
SAREERAROM. For healthy bodies
and minds; it offers an extensive range of treatments using
aromatic products. Thonglor Soi 10, 02 391 9919
