Shopping by Day in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the world’s great shopping destinations, attracting visitors from around the globe. The city’s regular grand sales offer genuine bargains and there is also the added bonus for visitors of a VAT refund on all items purchased, payable when they leave the country. Just show your passport when you make a purchase and present receipts to the customs at the airport. Many stores also offer a special discount card for tourists. Here we take a look at some of the highlights of your daytime shopping expedition in Bangkok!





Chatuchak Weekend Market & JJ Mall
Chatuchak Weekend MarKet, also Known as JJ, has to be seen to be believed! Whatever you are looking for, this sprawling open-air market will have it. The market sells crafts made in all regions of Thailand, antiques, silk and textiles, Jewelry, clothing, book, pets and plants-you name it, you can find it here. There are restaurants too so you can make a day of the experience. And with over 6,000 shops and stalls from which to choose, you’ll need plenty of time. The market is open on Fridays for wholesale customers, and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. till around 7 p.m. If you are traveling by the BTS Skytrain, get off at Mor Chit station or at Kampaengphet station on the MRT underground.
A recent addition to the Chatuchak shopping experience is the JJ Mall, an air-conditioned complex full of stalls selling a range of goods. There are also several restaurants and a food court. Unlike the market, the mall is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 9 p.m





MBK
A great place to shop is Mahboonkrong Shopping Centre, more commonly Known as MBK. The complex comprises of six floors of small shops and department stores selling everything imaginable. MBK is located at the National Stadium BTS station. Just a short walk away is the Siam Discovery Centre and the Siam Centre, both good for trendy boutiques and quality designer products.





Siam Square
For over three decades Siam Square has remained a shopping hotspot for teenagers, students and those looking for a bargain. Close to Chulalongkorn University and right beside the Siam BTS Skytrain station, Siam Square pulls crowds young shoppers. The block comprises of a dozen parallel streets with smaller lanes connecting them. Here, small boutiques and stalls sell everything from books. CDs to latest cheap and cheerful fashion and accessories in town. The emphasis is clearly women, with most of the shops selling clothes. There are some genuinely gook deals to be gad and don’t forget, you can bargain here so try and get the price down before you hand over the cash! Whatever you are looking for, Siam Square is sure to have it .It is easy to see why the area has remained one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping districts for over 30 years.





Chinatown
According to local superstition, the long winding Yaowarat Road in Chinatown resembles a dragon’s body and is therefore an auspicious place to conduct business. There is certainly plenty of evidence to support the theory as the area is one of Bangkok’s most vibrant business districts. Here you can find over 130 gold shops, and businesses selling textiles, electric goods, computer parts, antiques and much more, Wander along the main road and side streets and you’ll also find plenty of places to eat fabulous Chinese food such as dim sum, roast duck and much more.
Sampeng Lane, also known as Wanit 1, is the centre of Bangkok’s textile trade. Here you can buy reams of material, buttons, zips, laces, and sewing equipment. There are also plenty of gift shops selling a wide variety of cheap products at wholesale prices. The main lane is very narrow, less than four metres but winds on for almost two kilometers.





Pratunam
Open daily, the Pratunam Market is renowned as the centre for cheap clothing and fashion accessories. There are three indoor shopping complexes in the area around the Baiyoke Tower. The best place to buy cheap clothing at wholesale prices in the Baiyoke Garment Centre. For fashions and accessories for men and women, try nearby Indra Square. Here, you can also find jewelry and tourist knick-knacks. City Complex is mainly geared towards women’s fashion clothes. The side streets around all three shopping venues are also lined with small outlets selling more cheap clothing. Remember to bargain hard. If you buy three or more items, many shopkeepers are prepared to offer good reductions. Wholesale prices for larger order are always available. One of the latest editions to the Pratunam shopping experience is the huge Platinum Fashion Mall. Stacked to the rafters with cheap clothing, shoes and fashion accessories, it’s a great place to shop till you drop and is incredibly popular with teenagers and office workers in the area.