Shopping Malls

The area between Siam Square and Ratchadamri is the epicentre for small shopping, with enormous malls such as Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Square, MBK and Central World Plaza, all within walking distance of each other, and with countless small stores and boutiques surrounding them. All the way along Ploenchit Road there can be found malls and stores, and when Ploenchit changes its name and becomes Sukhumvit Road there can be found a lot more. Silom Road is another major shopping area, with the two biggest names, Central Department Store and Robinson's, also represented elsewhere in the city.

Some further distance along Sukhumvit Road at Soi 24 is The Emporium, a destination shopping mall that has premier brand-name shops along with a huge variety of consumer goods, a large department store, and a supermarket specialising in top quality imported European and American food and beverage products.

Markets

For markets and street markets, it would be very hard to beat Bangkok. A major attraction on weekends is the huge Chatuchak Weekend Market, located in northern Bangkok but easily accessible by Skytrain and Metro. There are a reputed 20,000 stalls selling what appears to be literally everything. Go early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds. Suan Lum Night Bazaar is in the centre of town and although smaller than Chatuchak is still big and colourful. There is a large food court with a live band every night. Patpong Night Market, which runs somewhat incongruously through the city's best-known red-light district, is a place you can really test your bargaining skills and pick up Thai tourist products as well as clothes, bags and counterfeit goods.

Garments and textiles are one of Thailand's main exports, and consequently Bangkok is an excellent place to buy clothing. Pratunam Garment Market is an astonishing place, largely existing for the industry buyers, but perfectly amenable to consumer visitors. And if you want clothes made to measure, the main tourist areas have a plethora of tailor shops, mainly run by Indians. Take along something you want copied, or even a photograph and you could get it done in 24 hours: although longer is recommended.