15 Malls and Outlet Stores to Go Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand has always been praised for being a shopping paradise. Whether you’re a full-on shopaholic or not, you can’t help but notice how true this is. In Bangkok, the prices are low but the quality is high — especially if you know where to go. If you’re travelling here for the first time, look for any of these items to take home: silks, gemstones, tailor-made clothes, handicrafts, and jewellery. You can find almost anything you want at the outlet stores and shopping malls in Bangkok.
Bangkok shopping has always been so convenient. Most malls operate from 10am to 10pm every day of the week. As for outlet stores, some open as early as 9am. If you don’t know where to start, here are 15 malls and outlets you can check out to satisfy your shopping needs!
Best shopping malls in Bangkok
1. ICONSIAM
Considered the Mother of Malls in Thailand, ICONSIAM has 11 floors for you to explore. It might be a relatively new mall that opened only in late 2018, yet it is easily one of the best places to shop.
ICONSIAM is famous for its food and shopping scenes. On the ground floor, you can eat to your heart’s content at SookSiam. It has various food stalls and a floating market where you can get almost anything you’re craving! While you’re also here, you can witness Thai art and culture, and buy souvenirs and gifts to bring home.
But once you venture onto the following floors above, this is where the shopping starts. Each floor is dedicated to a certain section, like fashion and technology. From the first to the third floor, you can find both men’s and women’s fashion. Beauty products are available as well on the mezzanine level. For the families, you can shop for kids’ items and clothes on the fifth floor.
As ICONSIAM is located near the city’s Chao Phraya River, you can get a taste of the Bangkok skyline and a view of the river from the rooftop terrace.
2. CentralwOrld
Prepare your wallets, because you’re bound to shop ‘till you drop at CentralwOrld — considered one of the best shopping malls in Bangkok to be in. Though it certainly has fewer floors than ICONSIAM, it’s still just as great. In fact, many have praised this mall for its variety of designer brands like Coach, Massimo Dutti, and Michael Kors.
Yes, you can definitely come here if you want to shop for clothes, accessories, technology, and souvenirs. But CentralwOrld is famous for its supermarket, the Central Food Hall and Gourmet Market. If you want to shop for sports equipment and attire, Bangkok’s biggest sports shop, SuperSport is the way to go. In the Groove area, you can grab a bite or a drink at one of the many pubs and restaurants in the mall.
Need I mention that there’s an ice-skating rink as well?
3. Siam Paragon
Just a 10-minute walk from CentralwOrld is Siam Paragon. Newly renovated in 2020, it is a unique mall that stands out against many shopping malls in Bangkok.
Shop til you drop in the new Beauty Hall, featuring luxury stores like Hermes, Dolce Gabbana, Charlotte Tilbury, and the reopened Dior Beauty. Find your scent at the Atelier de Prestige section with niche perfume brands like Maison Francis Kurkdijian and Acqua di Parma.
While you can shop from a number of luxury stores (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Jimmy Choo etc.), Siam Paragon is famous for its department stores. Here, you can visit their Exotic Thai store for gifts, jewellery, souvenirs, and Thailand-made clothes. For the book lovers out there, Thailand’s biggest bookstore, Kinokuniya, is here too!
The Gourmet Eats food court is home to famous drinks and desserts from international brands, as well as the inventor of bubble tea: TP Tea by Chun Shui Tang! Furthermore, savour local delights from well-known street vendors Thipsamai (pad thai restaurant), GoAng (chicken rice restaurant), and RodDeeDed (beef noodle shop).
Siam Paragon is one of those malls with an incredible entertainment zone if you don’t want to shop. One of the country’s best cinema complexes is located on the fifth floor, with 15 large theatres showing Hollywood movies. On the same floor, there’s also a Kidzania playground and a bowling alley. On the basement level is Thailand’s biggest aquarium: Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World.
4. MBK Center
MBK Center is less fancy compared to the aforementioned malls, but it’s still worth the visit anyway. If you want something low-key, stop by MBK Center. Many teenagers frequent here on the weekends and for good reason! You can find international fast-food chain stores here, as well as smaller fashion stores. These mainly consist of local boutique stores that can supply you with emergency outfit changes in Bangkok.
5. Pantip Plaza
Geeks and tech nerds, this is one of the best shopping malls in Bangkok for you! Pantip Plaza is a five-floor building that is perfect for your electronic needs.
Expect a wide selection of software, local TV series, and games here. On top of the gadgets and trinkets, you can also get your phone repaired at this mall. In case your camera starts to malfunction, stop by any of the distinguished camera shops like Nikon and Canon.
6. Terminal 21
Terminal 21 is another mall that has a great balance between international and local brands. You can do your Bangkok shopping on any of its nine floors, each following a theme that was modelled after an international city. Even if you’re not a big shopper, this mall is worth checking out for its unique layout.
There are 600 shops to choose from, so better start exploring! Terminal 21 has some of these brands you might recognise: Esprit, Guess, H&M, Nike, and Quiksilver.
7. Siam Center
Siam Center is a great place to do Bangkok shopping, especially if you’re into makeup. International brands like MAC Cosmetics, Sephora, and Shiseido are all found here. On the other hand, if you’ve been meaning to look into local beauty brands, Siam Center has Panpuri and Thann. On that note, you can definitely consider getting their products as souvenirs!
Like MBK Center, Siam Center is packed with teenagers looking to keep up with the latest trends. Some of the brands you can find are Dr Martens, Adidas, Lush, and Victoria’s Secret. The famous Greyhound Cafe is located here too, and they are famous for their modern twists on Thai cuisine.
8. Siam Discovery
Right next door would be Siam Discovery, another one of many shopping malls in Bangkok. You can enjoy a variety of products here, including clothes, shoes and houseware. Compared to the other malls, this one is more hipster in its layout. You can definitely shop for streetwear from a number of brands like Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Victoria Beckham, and Alexa Chung.
Though if you’re not interested in shopping, there is a Madame Tussauds museum on the fifth floor. Pose with your favourite Hollywood, Bollywood, and local Thai celebrities when you’re in Bangkok’s wax museum.
9. EmQuartier
EmQuartier is a Bangkok shopping mall with elements of nature in its design. The mall is very green and earthy, which can be a refreshing sight when roaming the city. EmQuartier has the highest waterfall in Bangkok, the Waterfall Quartier. You can also visit the Quartier Water Garden, which is ideal for fresh air and panoramic views.
Eating-wise, the Helix Emquartier has over a hundred restaurants, a heaven for foodies. And, let’s be real, if you’re on a trip to Bangkok, you’re definitely a foodie. Dig into diverse foods from Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Western cuisines.
Shopping-wise, EmQuartier lives up to its hype with its mix of high-end and cheaper international brands. You can find Uniqlo, Charles and Keith, Ted Baker, Alexander Wang, and Armani Exchange. On the second floor, you can visit their department store — the Quarator — for accessories, clothes, and shoes from different Thai designers.
10. Emporium Mall
Emporium Mall in Bangkok offers a great luxury shopping experience for tourists and locals alike. Expect brands like Burberry, Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Loewe to add to your shopping list when you’re here. Earlier in 2022, Gucci reopened with its sprawling flagship store. Look out for Gucci decor, a range of mens and womenswear, as well as accessories.
On top of that, you can stop by the Emporium Department Store for delicious food from around the world.
On the third floor, you can buy Thai silk at Jim Thompson (which is also found at ICONSIAM and CentralwOrld). In case you want to have some fun, go rollerskating at Roller Dome.
What’s more, from now till 31 Dec 2022, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Vietjet passengers can simply show their boarding pass and passports to redeem cash coupons when shopping at Emporium Mall, EmQuartier, as well as the aforementioned Siam Paragon!
Must-visit Bangkok outlets
11. Bangkok Fashion Outlet
Fashion outlets are a great place when you know where to shop in Bangkok. They are a great alternative when you want to centre your shopping on just things to wear.
If you want to shop for items discounted as high as 90%, then Bangkok Fashion Outlet is the place to be. As one of many Bangkok outlets, shoppers should be pleased to check out the 500 Thai and international brands. There are eight department store sections, three of which are the Giordano, Marks & Spencer, and Crocs outlets.
However, if you want more international brands to add to your list, the Central Department store has some you may recognise: Vivienne Tam, Juicy Couture, Love Moschino, and British India. In Outlet24 (a different store), you can come across a few decent Ralph Lauren finds, as well as Agnes B, French Connection, Wrangler, and Lee Jeans.
12. Jim Thompson Factory Outlet
Sure, you can still shop at Jim Thompson stores at the mall, but sometimes, your wallet can’t take it. The brand’s reputation is reflected in the luxury of its goods, and even its prices. But at the Jim Thompson Factory Outlet, you can get affordable rates on the things you want most.
This factory outlet in Bangkok is primarily known for silk accessories and clothes. But you can also find silk home furnishings (e.g., curtains and table runners), as well as silk and cotton fabrics.
13. Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok
At Siam Premium Outlets in Bangkok, you can treat yourself to a selection of 200 luxury and high street brands! Get up to 70% off on brands like Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, and DNKY. You can also find Thailands’s largest outlets for Skechers, Kate Spade New York, and Coach.
To add to the list, tech geeks should be excited to know that Nintendo and Garmin are at Siam Premium Outlets. On the other hand, streetwear and sportswear enthusiasts can thrive at their favourite brands: Vans, Mango, American Eagle, Nike, Adidas, and North Face.
14. Central Village
Similarly, you can shop at Central Village for more discounted luxury items. For the adults, there’s Lacoste, Under Armour, Michael Kors, Onitsuka Tiger, MAC Cosmetics, and Ducati. For the kids, there’s Lego and Toys R Us. Tourists can stop by the Thai Pavilion to bring home a piece of Thailand, be it a bag or a snack.
15. Amarin Plaza
Amarin Plaza is an incredible Bangkok outlet if you want to do your shopping in the city. They are known for their frequent sales and high discounts on various branded goods. A highlight of this place would be the Thai Craft Market, which sells various handicrafts like ceramics and handmade jewellery.
The plaza also houses many other items as well! On the first floor, there’s a sports factory outlet if you want to shop for sportswear and trainers. There are separate outlets for New Balance and Skechers, too!
On the second floor, you can find lifestyle brand stores like Daiso and Muji. If you’re an outdoor adventure junkie, you’ll be pleased to know that this floor also boasts stores that will suit your travel-related needs. You can get your outdoor attire, bicycles, swimwear, hats, and various other knick-knacks at Amarin Plaza.
Bonus: Chatuchak Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a market in Bangkok and a famed shopper’s paradise. In fact, it’s Asia’s largest market, with more than 8,000 stalls within the market. It’s a sensory overload of sights, smells, and sounds, and there are 27 different sections to shop from!
The market opens at 6pm and closes at 12am on Fridays. But on Saturdays and Sundays, the market is open from 9am to 6pm. You can get virtually anything, from clothes to unique pieces of art and handicrafts. Food and various desserts are also huge here — if the weather’s too hot, try some coconut ice cream to cool down.
When you want to come to Chatuchak Market, come in the morning when it opens. This is so you can get the best deals and avoid large crowds. Make sure you brush up on your Thai knowledge and bartering skills so you can avoid getting ripped off.
Seeing that there are so many malls and outlets, you’re bound to wonder where to shop in Bangkok. Start off small by figuring out what you want to buy, and proceed from there. Check out the outlets and shopping malls in Bangkok that call your name, and explore as much as you can! There’s a lot to shop and love in this city, so trust the overall process.
Feel free to ask locals for recommendations and where you can get the best of what you need. Most of all, have fun. Just make sure you give your feet and wallet a break between shopping sprees!
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