I’ve had some queries where to shop while in Bangkok, Thailand. First off, let me say I’ve done the whole tourist thing quite a few times and scored deals or been burnt so these days, I only shop for things I know I want not what I think I need, cheap or no. I have also been doing very short trips – mostly overnighters so time is essential for me. So, this may not be the guide to shopping in Bangkok that you’re looking for – merely a taster of what Bangkok has to offer 🙂
Shopping for Clothes
Everyone will tell you to go to Pratunam. The whole area starting from Indra Shopping Complex and beyond is FULL of little clothes stores and stalls where you can purchase clothes in bulk or singly. Bulk means 3 and up and prices drop accordingly. I’ve picked up some decent stuff there. Dresses for RM12, loose pants for RM5 etc. But you must be careful to check and double check the quality to be sure you’re happy with it and the size. Most times, you aren’t allowed to try them on so always err on the side of caution.
To hit the morning clothes market, go early – 6am is best because they start closing up by about 9am. The other stalls or shops start opening about 9am. Be prepared to be hot and sweaty so bring a lot of drinking water with you. If you plan to do a lot of wholesale clothes shopping, you might want to look for a hotel in the area so you don’t waste time.
I also like going to Siam Paragon and CentralWorld and even Central, all easily accessible by BTS train – Siam stop or Chidlom stop. You can easily walk from one to the other using the overhead bridges.
The clothes in these department stores may be more expensive but are of better quality and when you hit the sale period (mid and end of the year) you can get very good prices and discounts on some stuff especially brands or styles we don’t get in Malaysia.
Shopping for Accessories and miscellaneous items
Chinatown (Yaowaraj Rd) is a good place to go. The place is positively brimming with costume jewelry, hair accessories, bags etc. Mostly its wholesale (1 dozen and up) but you can get things very cheap e.g. earrings for RM0.50 up, sparkly hair clips for RM1, fashion bags etc.
The market is very closed, there are LOADS of people, and its very hot but if you persevere, you can get a lot of good deals. I know of many people who go there to buy wedding favours e.g. key chains, fans etc because its cheaper than buying the same item here.
The market closes at about 4pm or so. If you’d like to pick up some deals, get there early when its not so hot and remember to bargain! Accessibility to Chinatown can get tough because of the traffic jams. Some cabs don’t even want to take you there at peak times even if you’re willing to pay. I take the public bus 😀
Shopping for cosmetics and makeup
Bangkok has many brands we don’t get here in Malaysia or maybe even Singapore. Notable brands available in Bangkok department stores (Central) are NARS, Lola and Stila besides other usual big name brands. Prices are quite high though.
Watsons is quite fun to browse in. They have Kanebo Tiffa and some of the brands like Ponds, L’Oreal and Maybelline and Revlon have new releases or new products there first. Some lines don’t even reach our shores. I’m told by reliable sources that the Ponds Age Miracle and Maybelline Angelfit Double Perfector are NOT coming into Malaysia in the forseeable future.
Boots pharmacy is a fun visit. They sometimes have Buy 2 Free 1 deals which is great! They carry the usual brands including Boots No. 7 and 17 brands of makeup, Botanics etc but I’m usually there to pick up bath and body products from Boots Natural Collection or anything else that smells good and is on sale. They also carry a small selection of Soap and Glory products which I find so-so only.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak weekend market is as the name implies only open on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). You can take the BTS train all the way to Mo Chit Station and walk from there. That’s a good place to pick up souvenirs, house decoration, handicraft etc. Its fun but I’m always too tempted to buy a pair of wooden elephants that I know I cannot carry home 😛 I’ve picked up beaded cushion covers and wall hangings for about RM5 and RM20 respectively so its always good for a bargain.
But do be warned, its suffocatingly hot and the place is a maze so do not get separated if you’re in a group or you might lose each other forever! Its a bit of a tourist trap sorry to say so be prepared to bargain till you’re blue in the face.
The key thing to remember is that for anything outside of the department stores, you can bargain, so be prepared to chip away at the quoted price, unless of course, its reasonable to you. I usually fix a price in my head that I’m willing to pay and if I get it at the first try, I just hand the money over. In that sense, I guess I’m just not very good at bargaining 🙂
There are many places I’ve missed out I know like Mah Boon Krong (MBK) shopping centre and Suan Lam night market but I don’t go there due to time and accessibility issues so I can’t tell you anything about it.
Food food food!
The other place I enjoy going to is the Big C Hypermarket and the Food Hall at Siam Paragon. I shop for my instant noodles and some groceries at the Big C (where its cheaper) and I gawk at brands and products I don’t see often anywhere else at the Siam Paragon Food Hall 🙂
I am usually in Bangkok for very short trips so I usually restrict myself to only a few places and I usually end up at Siam Square and CentralWorld besides Chinatown.
So that’s it. Where I know you can shop in Bangkok in a nutshell. Other than Chinatown, everywhere else I shop at is in the Chidlom-Siam-CentralWorld area where I also stay when I’m in Bangkok so everything is within walking distance for me 🙂
If you have tips to share for shopping in Bangkok, or where to buy stuff in Bangkok, please feel free to share in the comments below. I’d love to learn of new places to visit!
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
Other shopping travel guides:-
VERY useful information PB! Thank you. The hubs has planned a trip there at the end of the year as an anniversary present. He knows the only thing that keeps me happy is shopping!!
Hey JackieA
Thanks! Dec is a great time to visit Bangkok – its less humid and hot and there are SALES! 😀
Wonderful tips Paris!! Thanks for sharing!! 😀 😀
For clothes i prefer to shop at Chatuchak though its hot and stuffy… there’re so many things at amazing prices over there! I find their prices very reasonable (RM5 for plain t-shirts, RM8 for shorts and skirts OMG!!), plus they always mistake me as a local until i ask them “how much”!! haha!! Must learn how to speak basic thai already so that i can get more discounts!! XD The only thing i gotta be careful of is to make sure that the clothes fit since i don’t get to try them out! 😀
And yes, Boots!! What a lovely place! I love their scrubs! I’m so going to stock up the next time i’m there (especially when they have their buy 1 free 1 sale)! 😀
For loreal elseve users, you may want to stock up your stuff when there’s a sale at Watsons! I’ve gotten the hair masks for as cheap as RM16-RM17 only (thats a RM10 saving per tub) and shampoos at RM8.90!
For those of you who’ll be shopping at the Siam Paragon beauty hall (where the high end cosmetics are), don’t forget to tell them that you’re a tourist so that you can enjoy a 5% discount on all products! 😀
Food wise, i LOVE the food at Sizzler (non-halal)!! Their pork chops are to die for!! So juicy and tender (oh i’m drooling already! hehe!!). I usually visit Fuji for cheap japanese food too! And the duck noodles at Pochana at Thong Lor (Sukumvit 55) is heavenly! 😀
Hahaha i think i can go on and on!! I love Bangkok… i make it a point to go there at least once a year!! hehehe!! 😀
Hiya Jenn
I’m in Bangkok at least once a year too! 😀 Thanks for sharing your tips!
Suan Lum has a nice beer garden for dinner as well as a sizeable shopping area, and you can get lovely tailor-made evening dresses at MBK (on the 5th and 6th floors if I remember correctly)
But besides that, I love wandering around Siam Square particularly in the evening (only if you’re staying around that area, otherwise it can get a bit scary once everything closes up!) since Beauty Buffet, Etude, Hard Rock Cafe and Boots are all within the same stretch, plus plenty of smaller side lane shops – I picked up two pairs of pumps with suede lining (very pretty round-toe and super comfy!) at just RM40 each! 😀
The same area also has sales (think similar to that of Popular and FOS warehouse sales) on the roadside quite frequently where things are super cheap…damn, now you have me dreaming of my trip in December…how to concentrate!!
Hey Beetrice
Thanks for sharing! I never have the time to go to Suan Lum and MBK – maybe next time I will 🙂
very detailed report u have there, some friends have been telling me about Siam Paragon too. wish i could go there now 🙁 i got so many places i want to go, i cant makeup my mind
Hiya prettybeautiful
Haha… not quite as detailed as i’d like but its a good place to start. Start simple – pick one holiday spot and GO! 😀
I’ve never been to Bangkok without Bea, and she’s my guide, so I just follow where she goes 😛
This list is excellent for our trip in December. Thanks! 😀
Hi Tine
I hear you girls have a great time regardless! 😀
PB, from the comments, looks like all the ladies will be there in December!!!! You come too and we can all meet up!!
Haha… I’m supposed to be there to in Dec to be honest! If everyone’s there, why not? 😀
Where do you recommend staying dear?
Hi Kahani
There are loads of hotels around and I’m not a fussy hotel person. I stay at the Bangkok City Inn a small 2 star hotel in the CentralWorld area that suits my needs in terms of location, price and comfort. It may not be for everyone. 🙂
Hi Paris
The last time i went to Bangkok, i stayed at Bangkok City Inn too. Location is excellent (right opposite CentralWorld, what more can a person ask for?). Decent enough hotel, will definitely stay there again on future trips.
Hi Kay Es
You said it! 😀
Thanks for the tips! I am always on the lookout for shopping and travel ideas!
You’re welcome Jamilla! I enjoy reading your travel tips too!
I’m a M’sian expat staying in Bangkok, and you have covered most of the hot places in the city! 🙂
For those who are looking for branded stuffs, there is Emporium in Sukhumvit and Gaysorn (opposite Central World).
Hi shoppingmum
Yay! I hit most of the nails on the head! hehe… Glad to hear from someone living there 🙂
I was in BKK last wk. Short visit for work. Didn’t shop anywhere except the BKK airport. Branded bags on sale like MCM, Sisley, Givenchy, LeSportsac, Kipling, etc. Can’t remember all.
The items were half priced to begin with and then a further 15% if you buy 2 and 20% if you buy 3.
I snagged a Givenchy hobo bag, a long wallet and a LeSportsac pencil case for less than SDG500.
I didn’t want to get the pencil case and I thought the bag and wallet were kinda pricey for me. Even though it is on hugely discounted. The smart salesgirl came up to me and suggested I get the cheapest item in the shop (the LeSportsac pencil case) and I would be entitled to 20% disc. Pay less and get more (pencil case is free plus pay slightly lesser). 😀
Hi Shay
Oh ya! I caught some promos at BKK airport too when I was there recently. Their sales are so awesome! And I’m sure you picked up great deals
Hi Paris,
Seeing that you did a post on what to buy in Thailand, i felt the need to ask you what good buys and cosmetics should i get from London (my sister is there this very moment). Hopefully it’s alright for me to ask you here. If it is inappropriate then feel free to delete my comment. No worries. =)
Thank you in advance!! =)
Hi Rikairi
Gosh! I haven’t been to London in YEARS! LOL… When I was there, I’d always always shop in Boots – they have an excellent bath and body range and you can find high end cosmetics there too. If she has access to a Superdrug, check out Barry M cosmetics – affordable and pretty awesome! Otherwise, Selfridges beauty hall is a lovely place. I used to shop too at places like TopShop, Miss Selfridge, H&M, Next, Mango, Zara especially if they are on sale. Also I hear Primark is a good cheap place to go. Sorry I can’t help you more. If I go any time soon, everyone will be the first to know! LOL…
I’m surprised you didnt mention Platinum mall at all. When I’m in Bangkok, I always go to platinum mall!! Now that place is the best because they sell 3 “items” and up in whole sale prices…around 30-35% cheaper than the first price offered at the start! Clothes, accessories, etc etc..all the best there!!!
And for tailored stuff, I get my best blouses and skirts from Crown Tailors in Sukhumvit soi 8. Oh my god. I’m tiny, and I love Bangkok because everything fits me so well!!
Hi Gena
Ah thanks for reminding me. I went in there only once hence it slipped my mind. Thanks for the tips.
Hey Paris! I’m really interested in going to Bangkok to shop but I will most likely be going by myself since its hard for me to look for someone to go with me on shopping trips. Do you think its safe for a solo female traveler to go to Bangkok for the first time? I’ve already been to Hong Kong by myself. Please help… thanks! 🙂
Hi Eka
I haven’t traveled to Bangkok on my own before, but I know people who have and they say its perfectly safe! Just stick to staying in a decent area and don’t wander off into alley ways and be out late at night and I’m sure you’ll do fine. It has all the risks of a big city and it isn’t as easy to navigate as Hong Kong but its not impossible either! People are for the most part, friendly although many do not speak English and do be careful not to be scammed! Have a great time!
Actually, you can go to MBK via the Sky Train (BTS). Take the National Stadium stop. Or you can even walk from Siam Paragon.
From Siam Paragon, walk further to Siam Center, then Siam Discovery, and take the bridge to the road. It’s just there.
For Suan Lum night market, you have to take the BTS and take the MRT (Underground train) further to Lumpini station. It’s just there. 🙂
Paris please please help me?!? As you mentioned in the cosmetics title can you find Stila in Bangkok? If you can, where exactly? And also where is Boots Pharmacy? I am going to direct my friend to Boots if there is any!!! Waiting to hear from you impatiently 🙂
Hi Casey I’m not quite sure if Stila is in bangkok and I’m not sure where it is if it’s there sorry! Boots pharmacies are in many places. There’s a big one down from the Siam BTS station, one in Amarin plaza (Chidlom station) and I think one in Siam Paragon. Happy shopping!