Best Shopping Malls in BKK
Between floating markets and night bazaars, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) is already well known for shopping. More recently it’s gaining recognition for being a city packed full of gorgeous shopping malls where you can find all of the world’s top brands.
Architects and designers have had a lot of fun with shopping malls in the capital of Thailand recently. Each new one seems to one-up the last, packaging global brands in bold packages. From indoor waterfalls and skating rinks to airport and Thai outdoor market themes, every addition is a work of art.
The following are some of the best malls in greater Bangkok:
16 Top Shopping Centers in Bangkok
1. Icon Siam
Icon Siam is about as close to a shopping mall paradise as you can get. Set on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River with views of downtown Bangkok, it’s a lovely sight on its own.
Inside the mall you’ll find 6 floors containing over 500 shops and 100 restaurants. Among those is Bangkok’s exclusive Takashimaya, one of Japan’s most famous department stores.
Here are some of the other highlights at Icon Siam:
- Exclusive boutiques from designer brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton
- An indoor floating market
- Elegant interior design
2. Asiatique: The Riverfront
For a shopping mall experience that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, turn to Asiatique: The Riverfront. It takes the night bazaar concept and wraps it up in an open-air mall package, making it one of the most unique shopping complexes you’ll find in the Land of Smiles. Just be aware that it opens at 5 PM and closes at midnight.
Asiatique is split into 4 districts built over the former port warehouse of the East Asiatic Company. Each district’s design gives a nod to that history and hosts different shops and services:
- Charoen Krung District: Hosts nightly shows like classic Thai puppet, ladyboy cabaret, and Muay Thai exhibitions alongside more than a 1,000 shops with souvenirs and art.
- Town Square: Contains several bars and fast food chains like KFC and Pizza Company while occasionally hosting live music and sporting performances.
- Waterfront: Offers several fine dining options on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.
- Factory District: Full of tech shops and fashion brands.
3. Central Chidlom
If you’re looking to elevate your shopping experience and are willing to pay, Central Chidlom is the place to go. Rather than a shopping mall, it’s a 7-storey department store with premium perfumes and beauty products on the first floor and top fashion brands on the floors above.
The Chidlom neighborhood is already well-known for its shopping, and Central Chidlom is certainly among the highlights. Just don’t expect movie theaters or entertainment centers.
4. Gaysorn Village
The Ratchaprasong shopping district plays host to much of Bangkok’s high-end luxury goods and designer labels. Gaysorn village is no different. This luxury mall is home to international brands like Hugo Boss as well as top Thai designers like Disaya and Senada Theory. On the 3rd floor you’ll find jewelry and watch brands, too.
What makes Gaysorn Village unique from other places is the ‘Purely Gaysorn’ campaign. It aims to provide a lifestyle consultancy team that helps you with everything from fashion choices to party planning.
5. Central Embassy
Another popular luxury option is the Central Embassy. Located on the grounds of the former British Embassy gardens, this shopping mall puts brands like Ralph Lauren, Scotch and Soda, and Chanel at the shopper’s fingertips. You’ll also find affordable options like UNIQLO.
The Park Hyatt Bangkok hotel is attached to Central Embassy. Between that and all of the fine dining options in the mall, you may never need to leave this slice of the Ploenchit neighborhood.
6. Central World
For something even larger, look to the mega-shopping complex known as Central World. At over 830,000 square meters, it’s one of the largest malls in Thailand. With roughly two-thirds of that dedicated to retail space, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Here are some of the other highlights of Central World:
- An outdoor square that hosts Christmas and Songkran (New Year’s) events
- Sleek architecture with many sculptures to view
- More than 100 restaurants and cafes
- An indoor skating rink
7. Amarin Plaza
Near Bangkok’s famous Erawan Shrine is Amarin Plaza, a 5-story shopping complex. There’s no shortage of things to do in this mall with spas, a fitness center, and fashion shops galore.
One thing that makes Amarin Plaza stand out is its upper-level wood carving and interior design store.
8. Siam Paragon
Want to see a movie, fancy cars, and massive fish tanks all in the same place? Head on down to Siam Paragon.
The first floor of this complex is dedicated to luxury items, the second targets lifestyle products including car showrooms from the likes of Aston Martin and McLaren, and the third floor is where you go for tech.
You’ll also find a 15-screen movie theater and aquarium in case you get bored.
9. Siam Discovery
Japanese company Nendo helped with Siam Discovery’s unique design that features the following ‘labs’ on different floors:
- Her Lab. Dedicated to women’s fashion and accessories.
- His Lab. Dedicated to men’s fashion and accessories.
- Street Lab. Dedicated to street style with brands like Adidas, Converse, and Salamon.
- Digital Lab. Dedicated to IT products and a gaming zone.
- Creative Lab. Dedicated to home décor.
- Play Lab. Dedicated to relaxation and entertainment, including Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
The higher floors in Siam Discovery can be confusing to some as they don’t have cash registers, but it’s all part of the experience.
10. Siam Center
In some ways, Siam Center may remind people of North American shopping malls with brands like Lush, Adidas, and Victoria’s Secret. But it’s sure to be novel in other ways.
To start, there are several Thai brands like Lyn Around and Baking Soda. The layout of the mall is also creative with trees made from blocks and LED screens in the ceiling.
11. Platinum Fashion Mall
If you came to Thailand and fell in love with haggling at weekend and night markets, Platinum Fashion Mall is the place for you. 1,300 shops are jammed into 4 floors, each selling wholesale fashion and accessories.
The entire area is split into themed sections named after famed streets around the world like Soho, Ginza, and Oxford. You can walk around and enjoy the different themes while popping into the shops for hot deals on everything from children’s to men’s and women’s clothing. There’s also a large food court and 4-star hotel attached if you feel like staying.
12. MBK Center
Another famed location where bargaining is encouraged is the MBK Center. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of affordable products spread out over 8 floors. Just be aware that it may not all be authentic.
The facility contains the only Tokyu department store in Bangkok along with many activities for those who get bored with the more than 2,000 shops. Here are some of the highlights:
- 3D trick art museum
- Movie theater
- Karaoke
- Arcade
13. Terminal 21 Asoke
The Asoke neighborhood mall has an airport-like atmosphere with arrival arrows directing you to different major cities around the world like London, Istanbul, Paris, and Tokyo. To top it all off, the information desk attendants wear flight attendant uniforms.
Strip away the novelty and Terminal 21 still has enough to make it an attraction with a gourmet food court offering classics like dim sum and mango shaved ice. There’s also a gourmet supermarket, Cineplex, and Fitness First Gym to keep you busy.
14. EmSphere
A shopping mall for the future, EmSphere had its grand opening on December 1st, 2023 in the Em District alongside the older EmQuartier and Emporium. The latest edition is ambitious, with sleek glass architecture throughout 200,000 square meters.
Inside EmSphere you’ll find the first city center IKEA store along with hundreds of other well-known brand shops. There are also several thematic sections like the Em Market for your supermarket needs and the Beach Club for when you want to feel like you’re relaxing on the coast.
Oh, and the UOB live entertainment space is sure to make this a hot spot in the Phrom Phong neighborhood for future live events.
15. EmQuartier
EmQuartier opened in 2015 in the same Em District, but it’s just as impressive. The luxury mall has a modern design full of famous fashion brands like Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, DKNY, and Valentino on the first floor. Above, you’ll find everything from sports fashion brands to lifestyle stores.
EmQuartier is divided into 3 zones:
- Helix Quartier: Dining area containing nearly 50 restaurants.
- Waterfall Quartier: A shopping area with a waterfall as its centerpiece.
- Glass Quartier: A luxury shopping area with an elaborate plant structure.
16. One Bangkok (Coming Soon)
Touted as a new urban focal point in the heart of Bangkok, One Bangkok is an ambitious multi-use development project for the 21st century. The Sathom neighborhood addition is set to open in stages from 2024 onward and will include hotels, residential buildings, an arena, and 190,000 square meters of retail space.
That retail space is advertised as a ‘smart shopping district’ that will optimize the shopping experience. The total area will be split into 4 retail areas, each focusing on the following 4 themes:
- Lifestyle
- Luxury
- Multi-concept square
- Cultural hub
There are plenty of details around One Bangkok still to come, but it promises to be as unique or more than any of the shopping districts in the capital city.
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