Shopping in Bangkok: an overview of the best places to shop

Even if you went to Bangkok just for the experience and good photos, you can't leave without a pile of shopping. That's because Bangkok is probably the best shopping destination in all of Asia, and definitely the noisiest!

Of course, many would argue that trade in neighboring China is much more vigorous. But experienced shopaholics would disagree: in Thailand, the quality is much higher, and prices in Bangkok are low - but only for Thai brands.

Flights to Bangkok

Chinese trifles are sold here at every turn, but don't be fooled. In the depths of the many cheap markets lies great quality and immodest luxury shopping centers like Siam Paragon. So let's start shopping in Bangkok: where, what to buy?

Shopping in the markets

Chatuchak in Bangkok is one of the largest markets in the world. It is huge even in terms of area. The 150,000 stalls on a market day can serve three hundred thousand visitors. Here you will find everything you can imagine: the shops of antique dealers, and clothing, shoes, jewelry. The market is only open at weekends, from seven in the morning until six in the evening.

Phakhurat Bombay Market. This market is located in an area where Hindus live en masse. Here you will find everything that you associate with India: colors, fabrics, spices. The market is considered the capital of spices and its unique spice flavor is difficult to confuse with anything else.

Pratunam Market is famous for its textiles. The market sells both fabric and ready-made clothes, which are made here. It is possible to sell in bulk and in small quantities. The market is also famous for the fact that on its territory is the tallest building in the city - Baiyoke Sky Tower, which is worth a visit if only for the sake of the stunning view of the city. To make the experience more comfortable, there are restaurants on the 77th and 78th floors of the building.

The fragrant Pak Klong Talad Market is a fairy tale on earth with only endless expanses of amazing and delicate flowers. Prices, like everywhere else, are very low, but the experience left by the fragrant sea is priceless. The market is open from 3 a.m., and if you are completely devoid of romantic experiences from the sight of so many flowers, you can buy the freshest fruits and vegetables at no cost.

The so-called Thieves' Market takes you back several centuries: antiques and works of art, fine Chinese porcelain, brass and copper items are sold here.

Chinatown is an island of China in Thailand. Although the locals don't speak Chinese for a long time, their culture has left its mark on Chinatown. There are several markets in the area, the most interesting of which is Talat Khao Market.

The Patpong Night Market is a real fake market. It opens after 6 p.m. and ends by midnight, but that doesn't deter shoppers one bit. Here you can buy almost any Thai fake, accessories and clothing. The important thing to remember is that the prices here are inflated several times over - do not hesitate to bargain!

Talat Khao Market has been around since ancient times. Here they sell authentic Thai spices, Chinese delicacies and fresh fruit. The place is very colorful and memorable. Suan Lum Night Bazaar will win you over with live music and a wide range of souvenirs, because it works mainly for tourists.Detailed review with addresses in the article about markets in Bangkok

Table of average prices in Bangkok markets.

Shopping centers

Siam Paragon Mall. This is a modern shopping center, it is visited mainly by wealthy people, and ordinary tourists look into Siam Paragon for a kind of excursion in luxury. Here you can find real brands and boutiques of world renown.

The 250 luxury boutiques are located on five floors of the Siam Paragon Center and occupy 500,000 square meters of space. For such a promenade, it is better to dress strictly and dignified so as not to stand out among the other shoppers. The Siam Paragon Center has some pretty lively eateries and the Bangkok Oceanarium is located on the basement floor, which can be accessed for 850 baht.

Pantip Plaza Shopping Center. This center is a paradise for fans of electronics. Only Silicon Valley has more gadgets in one place. It always has all the latest gadgets, and the service center located in this mall can fix almost any gadget.

Central World is the largest shopping and entertainment center in all of Southeast Asia. Under its roof there are more than five hundred stores, five dozen restaurants, cinemas, bowling alleys, a children's center and a supermarket. Here you will find fashionable brands and have a great time with your family.

For a detailed review with addresses, see the article on major shopping malls in Bangkok.

What to bring with you

And now let's take a closer look at what you should bring from your trip to Thailand.

• Clothing and leather goods. For shopping in Bangkok, people come mainly for clothes. The prices in the city are lower than in the country, and the quality is quite high. The brands in the boutiques are real, the quality is higher there, but the price is an order of magnitude, if not more. The local ateliers make articles of crocodile and snake skin, and the prices are much lower than in the country.

• Jewelry. You should buy jewelry only in boutiques, so that you are not sold a fake. It is advisable to demand a quality certificate, but do not be surprised by the low price: here, sapphires and rubies set in gold are sold at quite adequate prices, and the design is often unparalleled in other countries.

• Technique. Most of what you see on the shelves of domestic electronics stores is made in Thailand anyway, so why pay more? The choice of equipment here is royal, and the prices don't make you grab your heart and wallet at the same time.

• Silk. Silk produced in Thailand is considered the best. Yes, and it costs much less here. The products of this noble fabric look for in night markets and specialty stores.

Helpful hints

We do not get tired of repeating - in markets haggle always and everywhere. Not to haggle is considered a manifestation of ignorance, or bad manners. Of course, in a boutique haggling in a market way will not work, but if you buy goods for more than you initially stated, you can try to persuade the seller for a discount of 10-20%.

While shopping be careful - sellers like not only haggling, but sometimes even cheating, so be vigilant.

Where to rent cheap accommodation in Bangkok?

A convenient way to find a hotel, through the service Hotellook, which allows you to compare prices on many booking systems, including Booking.com (sometimes the price difference for the same room can be up to 60%).