Haute and Hot. Brand names, even their knock offs. Gold, gems, jewelry and watches! For a shopaholic, Bangkok is the drug of choice. Call it extreme retail therapy if you will. Just point your compass south by southeast. The shopping streets of Bangkok are waiting!

The prime shopping areas are dotted all over central Bangkok. The majority are in the Siam and Silom districts–Top brands, haute and expensive. Those are designed for tourists and the upper class of Bangkok. So on a budget, just where is that Bangkok shopping paradise? The secrets of Bangkok shopping are revealed here.

Ratchaprsong Intersection Shopping District
Ratchaprsong is the name of the intersection of Ratchapralop and Rama 1. It abounds in upscale shopping and 5 star Hotels. Central World, which houses Zen shopping mall and CenterPoint Entertainment Complex, faces Big C and Gaysorn. Ratchaprasong also encompasses the less popular Chitlom area, which consists of Amarin Plaza, Maneeya Center, and Central Department Store.

• Central World
  Anchored by Isetan Department Store, Mid-range, with some upscale shopping, it’s the hangout for Thai teenagers, Centerpoint being a main draw. There’s a cinema and upscale eateries on the 7 floor. Really fun shopping and eating in the area is on the sidewalks in front. Big C is a mega supermarket with cinema and food court.
• Siam
  Siam Paragon is the flagship of Bangkok shopping. Haute and extremely upscale, most Thai dress up to peruse its walks. It has its own direct exit link from the BTS. Ocean World aquarium is in the basement. Siam Discovery Center, adjacent to Paragon, is trendy, fun shopping and eating. both have cinemas and global brand outlets.
• Siam Square
  The jewel of the Siam Area. Siam Square is more about trendy boutique shopping and homegrown designers, sprinkled in with hip restaurants and bars. It’s two parallel sois directly across from Siam Paragon.
• MBK, Mah Boon Krong
  Just a short walk from Siam, you actually can’t miss MBK. It is the bargain hunting mecca for tourists and Thais alike. Who couldn’t spend a day in MBK? 6 floors of shopping, chain restaurants, a world class cinema, bowling alley, video games, coffee shops. The entire 4th floor is dedicated to the mobile phone and related products. Prices are usually marked but you can bargain somewhat, especially if you are buying in quantity.

Night Bazaars

There are three. Most are not worth your time, touristy, overpriced, low quality goods. Literally the same stuff can be found in Pratunam and MBK. There is a good one. Along Ratchaprlop Rd. in Pratunam there’s a nightly and also behind Indra Square, near Baiyoke Tower. On weekends, the venue changes a bit with weekend only vendors, slightly different goods. The Suan Lum Night Market has one draw, the open air food court has nightly entertainment and great eats! In Silom, the Patpong night market is infamous, way, way overpriced, the draw is the red light entertainment along it’s sides. Patpong is at Silom Soi 5 and 6. It’s near Sala Daeng Station on the BTS, or take the bus.

Pratunam Area

The Pratunam area is the garment district of Bangkok. It starts at the Indra Regent Hotel, to its side and rear, and continues all the way down to Petchaburi Road. It encompasses Pratunam Market, the shops of Indra Square, Pantip Plaza, Pratunam complex, the new Platinum Fashion Mall. It would take days to explain the shopping in this area. It has absolutely everything and is the cheapest retail shopping in Bangkok. However, a good majority of the businesses there are wholesale garment. Each shopping complex has its specialty.

• Pantip Plaza, an electronics mega complex.
• Pratunam Market, covered outdoor shopping, mainly garments, closes at sundown.
• Pratunam Complex, load up on silver jewlry here.
• The Platunum Fashion Mall, pleasant indoor shopping, and cheap. Mostly Thai designers.
• Indra Square, wholesale and retail bargain shops.

Chatuchak Market

It has many names, Jatujak, JJ market. It’s Thailand largest market, 35 acres and over 15,000 stalls selling everything, meaning EVERYTHING. Get there early in the day or you’ll be a hot sticky mess and it’s only open on Saturday and Sunday. Get there by BTS or MRT.

Khao San Road

T-shirts, fake id’s, native Thai clothing, souvenirs line the sides of Khao San Road. You’ll have to bargain, just because you’re along Khao San doesn’t always mean it’s a bargain

Sam paeng, Pao Hu Lat

These are strictly wholesale, large quantity market off of Yaowarat Rd.

Chinatown

You want gold jewelry, then this is the place you can trust. The daily gold price is prominently displayed at every counter. Along Yaowarat Rd, all the shops are much the same, the “labor” charge is the only difference. The Thai buy gold as jewelry, strips, and coins as short term investments. The baht is actually a unit of measurement. 1 baht is about 15.2 grams.