FOR THE BEST SHOPS AND THE GREATEST FOOD COURTS
Once small and crowded, Bangkok’s malls are now some of the world’s biggest and most luxurious. They’re often the perfect air-conditioned escape from the heat and humidity outside, and offer more than shopping opportunities. Many have excellent food courts — where you don’t just have fast food, but also some surprisingly high-quality restaurants, especially at the high-end malls. The best ones are clustered in the Siam district and neighboring Ratchaprasong, and are actually linked by an elevated walkway that also connects different stations of the BTS Skytrain.
1. ICONSIAM
It’s not a shopping mall, it’s an entertainment complex with a mall. Inaugurated in 2018, it has eight floors of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, such as the recreation of a traditional floating market and a museum. Located on the riverfront, its public pier is a popular spot for photos with the city as backdrop, and the site of a nightly spectacle using light, sound, and dancing fountains.
2. SIAM PARAGON
Located opposite the Siam Square shopping mecca since 2005, this is one of Asia’s largest malls. It’s spread over eight floors of a glass building, divided into over 250 stores of Thai and international high-end brands. It’s said to be Asia’s biggest diamond trading center, with fifty diamond retailers. It’s also home to the continent’s largest aquarium, a hall for Broadway-style musicals, a movie theater and bowling alley. The food court is Bangkok’s biggest, with a wide range of options from around the world. Behind it is the resort-style Siam Kempinski Hotel, which has direct access to the mall.
To get there, take the BTS Skytrain, exiting at Siam station. The mall is just a 2-minute walk through the skywalk.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm.
3. CENTRALWORLD
Consisting of department stores, a hotel and office towers, this is one of Asia’s largest commercial complexes. Originally called World Trade Center when it opened in 1990, it was expanded in 2006. It houses over 500 shops, spread over six different zones, which were given distinctive features. At the “Groove” you’ll find a variety of local and international cafés and restaurants, while the hotel is the Centara Grand Hotel, which has over 500 rooms in 55 floors.
It’s located just a short walk from the Chit Lom and Siam stations of the BTS Skytrain, which are linked by a skywalk.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
4. CENTRAL EMBASSY
For the ultimate luxury shopping experience, head to this mall which houses an impressive number of high-end labels. It’s in one of the city’s best examples of contemporary architecture, and includes restaurants on the top floor overlooking downtown Bangkok. There’s also a luxurious hotel, the Park Hyatt Bangkok.
It can be reached by BTS Skytrain, exiting at the Phloen Chit station.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
5. ASIATIQUE
Designed like a traditional pier with warehouses, this is a large shopping and entertainment complex, with an outdoor (covered) dining area. It’s essentially a buzzy market, with shops selling clothing, handicrafts and souvenirs. It features the Asiatique Sky, a landmark wheel that takes you 60 meters (almost 200 feet) up in the air for views over Bangkok.
To get there, take the frequent (free) shuttle boat from Sathorn pier (outside the Saphan Taksin station of the BTS Skytrain). It only takes ten minutes, and operates between 4pm and 11:30pm.
Opening hours: 4pm-midnight.
6. MBK CENTER
This mall dates back to 1985, when it was Asia’s largest. It remains hugely popular, with eight floors divided into hundreds of shops, including a 4-storey department store, plus a large food court. It’s within walking distance of the Siam station of the BTS Skytrain, but is closer to the National Stadium station. There’s also a hotel, the Pathumwan Princess
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
7. SIAM DISCOVERY
Inaugurated in 1997 and renovated in 2016, this malls claims to offer “lifestyle shopping.” Each floor has its own theme, with one focusing on women, another on men, another on streetwear and accessories, another on gadgets, etc. At the very top is a Madame Tussauds museum.
To get there, take the BTS Skytrain to Siam station.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
8. SIAM CENTER
Open since 1973, but renovated in 2013, this mall has been able to reinvent itself over the years, keeping up with the times and the latest trends. It attracts young, stylish locals by offering the hottest names in Thai designer clothing (by established and up-and-coming designers), local and international brands spread over 200 stores, and a food court.
It can be reached by BTS Skytrain (Siam station).
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
9. RIVER CITY
With four floors of art, antiques, old maps and carvings, this is the place to go if you’re looking for something unique and traditional. While much of what you find at many antique shops around Bangkok isn’t genuine, here you can be certain you get what you pay for. Stores can arrange to ship your purchases back home. Even if you’re not into art and antiques, pass by this mall for the photo opportunities with the river as backdrop. There are also cafés and restaurants, some of them with views of the Chao Phraya. It’s easy to reach — just take the boat to Si Phraya pier.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
10. TERMINAL 21
With nine themed floors, this mall opened in 2011, and attracts locals who love to take selfies by recreations of some of the world’s most popular shopping streets. The food court is in “San Francisco,” with a Golden Gate Bridge at the center, while the retail areas are in “Paris,” “London,” “Rome,” “Istanbul,” and “Tokyo.” The main hall recreates an airport departures terminal.
Like other major malls in the city, it has a hotel, the 5-star Grande Centre Point, which is topped with a golden stupa-like roof.
To get there, take the BTS Skytrain to the Asok station, or the MRT subway to Sukhumvit station.
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
