Bangkok Info Guide : Patumwan Area

In addition to most of the large major upscale shopping centres; MBK (Maboonkrong), WTC (Central World Plaza) Siam Square, Gaysorn Plaza around the the Chit Lom BTS Skytrain station, bargain hunters will enjoy any of the hundreds of small souvenir stalls that line the streets around Pratunam Market and Indra Arcade.

This area has is a wide range of hotels - everything from deluxe 5 star international properties along Wireless Road to good 2, 3 and 4 star locally managed properties for local businessmen and value conscious holiday travelers.

Open in December 2005, Siam Paragon is a large and futuristic shopping center with a large number of shops (clothes, sports, books, beauty shops, toys, restaurants, fast food etc.) and a huge supermarket at the ground level (called Gourmet Market).

One of the oldest malls in Thailand, but also one of the most vital. Situated slap-bang in the centre of what is called 'the battleground of the malls' - and easily dwarfed by the bigger and flashier malls - few know that Siam Center was there before all the others.

Constructed in 1976, this original looks good for her age, thanks to the panoply of bright and playful shops and the ever-younger and fresher clientele, expending their reeling energies and pocket money.

Having gone through a few revamping exercises, this mall targets adolescents, and has a loyal and fashionable following. Four floors of fun, Siam Centre contains about 300 shops, 20 restaurants and a dedicated showroom Mob.F for Thai fashion labels. Vibey music is played throughout the corridors, broadcast by the resident 94FM radio station on the fourth floor. Loads of skate and surf shops, together with lifestyle brands such as Monkey See, Levis and Von Dutch draw in chattering troupes of teenagers.

There are a number of clothing boutiques with outfits designed for nubile bodies. A substantial spread of camera and mobile accessory shops - essential to the digitally enlightened generation - can be found here too. Cute jewellery and all the paraphernalia that signifies coolness, can be found throughout. Speciality stores feature shoes, hair accessories and sexy.

Siam Discovery

This trendy shopping complex is still a favorite among Bangkok's younger and fashionable crowds. Opposite Siam Square, this modern centre adjoins Siam Centre and showcases a good selection of shops, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.

Expect popular local fashion designers and global brand names as well as European established names, as well as a number of home decor and hip interior design stores. Guess? DKNY, Shiseido, Mac, Swarovski and many more. Asia Books and Habitat have branches here too. A huge cinema complex is located on the top floor, while the ground floor houses popular coffee hangouts including Starbucks and Au Bon Pain.

The largest computer store in Bangkok. All equipment and accessories you might possibly need for your computer. Or why not buy a new PC, Mac or laptop. There are often very reasonable prices. Just mind that the warranty is maybe only valid in Thailand. Located on Thanon Phetburi (Phetburi Road) rather close to Siam Square.

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Market (often called J.J.) is a huge market place covering about 150,000 m�. Here you will find clothes, foods, household articles, handicraft and a lot more. It is open at Saturdays and Sundays (Fridays only for wholesale). Do not forget to bargain. Get here easily by taxi, tuk-tuk or Metro (underground/subway) to Kamphaeng Phet station. You can also get here by skytrain. Just drop at Mo Chit station.

Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (10 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road)

Pratunam Market

Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate.

The market is open 24 hours a day with varying offerings, from 9-20 (in reality more like 11-18) the retail shops are open, later on the evening outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come to populate the street sides. It's located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads in the district Ratchathewi.

This is maybe the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak weekend market probably is the low price leader. Other merchandise include watches, handicraft and others. You can reach the market by BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station; from there, exit down the right-hand stairs, take a right at the next main intersection, Ratchathewi, and walk down Phetchaburi Road until you see Platinum department store, the market is directly across the street from Platinum Fashion Mall.

Bangkok: Pratunam Market (Photo by Chris Martin)

Or exit at another BTS Chit Lom (Chidlom) station, turn north (right) at the Gaysorn Plaza corner, Ratchaprasong intersection, and walk past BigC and CentralWorld to the next intersection of Pratu Nam. Pratunam market covers the whole area around and behind Amari Watergate and Indra Regent hotels with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the towering Baiyoke Tower II hotels inside it.

If you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the area is very safe unless you do something stupid like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If the area looks unappealing you might consider doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum Fashion Mall.

Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (10 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road)

MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong, is an large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand.

At eight stories high, the center hosts around 2,000 stores and services, including the 4-story Tokyu department store, restaurants and entertainment.

The MBK Center management reports daily visitor numbers of more than 100,000, half of whom are young Thai people and a third foreign visitors.

MBK Center, opened in 1985, is one of the oldest shopping malls in Asia, and was the largest when it was inaugurated. It is located on land leased from the adjacent Chulalongkorn University. This lease was renewed in 2002. The center was named after the parents of the developer Sirichai Bulakul, Mah & Boonkrong, whose statues grace the ground floor.MBK Center is located in Pathum Wan district, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Rama I Road and Phaya Thai Road. It is in close proximity to Siam Square, which can be reached from the second floor via a covered pedestrian bridge over Phaya Thai Road, and Siam Center and Siam Paragon, which are across Rama I Road from Siam Square.



	Historic building - Temples - Museum - Top sights Pathumwan - Siam & Pratunam The Pratunam and Siam square districts are famed as a shopper's paradise. From the chaos of the shop-'-all places like the Mahboonkrong Center (MBK) and the Pratunam clothes market to the elegance of siam Paragon Mall and Central Chidlom shopping centers, the range of goods is staggering. Hidden among these mammoth malls and marketsare some very Thai activities tthat should not be missed. For our purposes the Siam Square area is defined as starting at Hua Lam Pong Railway station, running north along Rama VI Rd. then turning east along Si Ayutthaya Rd. to the expressway on the east with Rama IV Rd. on the southern border. So named for the Siam BTS Skytrain station as well as the Siam Square Roads 1-6 that run off the main Rama 1 Rd., this is Bangkok's premier shopping area. Pathumwan Map	Bar at Millenium Hilton at Sofitel Silom
In addition to most of the large major upscale shopping centres; MBK (Maboonkrong), WTC (Central World Plaza) Siam Square, Gaysorn Plaza around the the Chit Lom BTS Skytrain station, bargain hunters will enjoy any of the hundreds of small souvenir stalls that line the streets around Pratunam Market and Indra Arcade. This area has is a wide range of hotels - everything from deluxe 5 star international properties along Wireless Road to good 2, 3 and 4 star locally managed properties for local businessmen and value conscious holiday travelers. Siam Paragon Open in December 2005, Siam Paragon is a large and futuristic shopping center with a large number of shops (clothes, sports, books, beauty shops, toys, restaurants, fast food etc.) and a huge supermarket at the ground level (called Gourmet Market). Go there by the skytrain to Siam station or by taxi or tuk-tuk. Location: Patumwan at Siam BTS Station Siam Center One of the oldest malls in Thailand, but also one of the most vital. Situated slap-bang in the centre of what is called 'the battleground of the malls' - and easily dwarfed by the bigger and flashier malls - few know that Siam Center was there before all the others. Constructed in 1976, this original looks good for her age, thanks to the panoply of bright and playful shops and the ever-younger and fresher clientele, expending their reeling energies and pocket money. Having gone through a few revamping exercises, this mall targets adolescents, and has a loyal and fashionable following. Four floors of fun, Siam Centre contains about 300 shops, 20 restaurants and a dedicated showroom Mob.F for Thai fashion labels. Vibey music is played throughout the corridors, broadcast by the resident 94FM radio station on the fourth floor. Loads of skate and surf shops, together with lifestyle brands such as Monkey See, Levis and Von Dutch draw in chattering troupes of teenagers. There are a number of clothing boutiques with outfits designed for nubile bodies. A substantial spread of camera and mobile accessory shops - essential to the digitally enlightened generation - can be found here too. Cute jewellery and all the paraphernalia that signifies coolness, can be found throughout. Speciality stores feature shoes, hair accessories and sexy. Location: Patumwan at Siam BTS Station Siam Discovery This trendy shopping complex is still a favorite among Bangkok's younger and fashionable crowds. Opposite Siam Square, this modern centre adjoins Siam Centre and showcases a good selection of shops, restaurants and designer fashion outlets. Expect popular local fashion designers and global brand names as well as European established names, as well as a number of home decor and hip interior design stores. Guess? DKNY, Shiseido, Mac, Swarovski and many more. Asia Books and Habitat have branches here too. A huge cinema complex is located on the top floor, while the ground floor houses popular coffee hangouts including Starbucks and Au Bon Pain. Location: Patumwan at Siam BTS Station Siam Discovery Center (left) & Siam Paragon (right) Pantip Plaza The largest computer store in Bangkok. All equipment and accessories you might possibly need for your computer. Or why not buy a new PC, Mac or laptop. There are often very reasonable prices. Just mind that the warranty is maybe only valid in Thailand. Located on Thanon Phetburi (Phetburi Road) rather close to Siam Square. Chatuchak Weekend Market Chatuchak Market (often called J.J.) is a huge market place covering about 150,000 m�. Here you will find clothes, foods, household articles, handicraft and a lot more. It is open at Saturdays and Sundays (Fridays only for wholesale). Do not forget to bargain. Get here easily by taxi, tuk-tuk or Metro (underground/subway) to Kamphaeng Phet station. You can also get here by skytrain. Just drop at Mo Chit station. Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (10 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road) Pratunam Market Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate. The market is open 24 hours a day with varying offerings, from 9-20 (in reality more like 11-18) the retail shops are open, later on the evening outdoor stalls mainly geared for tourists come to populate the street sides. It's located at the intersection of Ratchaprarop and Phetburi roads in the district Ratchathewi. This is maybe the cheapest market for buying clothes, fabrics and textiles in central Bangkok, while the Chatuchak weekend market probably is the low price leader. Other merchandise include watches, handicraft and others. You can reach the market by BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station; from there, exit down the right-hand stairs, take a right at the next main intersection, Ratchathewi, and walk down Phetchaburi Road until you see Platinum department store, the market is directly across the street from Platinum Fashion Mall. Or exit at another BTS Chit Lom (Chidlom) station, turn north (right) at the Gaysorn Plaza corner, Ratchaprasong intersection, and walk past BigC and CentralWorld to the next intersection of Pratu Nam. Pratunam market covers the whole area around and behind Amari Watergate and Indra Regent hotels with the rainbow colored Baiyoke I hotel and the towering Baiyoke Tower II hotels inside it. If you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the area is very safe unless you do something stupid like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If the area looks unappealing you might consider doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum Fashion Mall. Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (10 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road) MBK - Mah Boon Krong MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong, is an large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. At eight stories high, the center hosts around 2,000 stores and services, including the 4-story Tokyu department store, restaurants and entertainment. The MBK Center management reports daily visitor numbers of more than 100,000, half of whom are young Thai people and a third foreign visitors. MBK Center, opened in 1985, is one of the oldest shopping malls in Asia, and was the largest when it was inaugurated. It is located on land leased from the adjacent Chulalongkorn University. This lease was renewed in 2002. The center was named after the parents of the developer Sirichai Bulakul, Mah & Boonkrong, whose statues grace the ground floor.MBK Center is located in Pathum Wan district, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Rama I Road and Phaya Thai Road. It is in close proximity to Siam Square, which can be reached from the second floor via a covered pedestrian bridge over Phaya Thai Road, and Siam Center and Siam Paragon, which are across Rama I Road from Siam Square. Location: Patumwan at National Stadium BTS Station http://www.mbk-center.co.th/en/ Baiyoke Tower II The Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Rajprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is the country's tallest building. It contains the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world, with 673 guest rooms. The building is 304 m (997 ft) tall, or 328 m (1,076 ft) tall if its antenna is included. It has 85 floors, with a public observatory on the 77th floor, a bar called "Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge" on the 83rd floor, and a 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor. Construction on the building ended in 1997, with the antenna being added two years later, in 1999. The Baiyoke Sky Hotel website itself lists the height without the antenna as 309 m (1,014 ft), but the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Emporis, and SkyscraperPage list it as 304 m (997 ft), with SkyscraperPage stating that this height was supplied by the structural engineering company. In 2012 The Ocean One Tower will be Thailand's tallest building and will be the tallest residence in the world (367m). This building located in Pattaya, Thailand, is now under construction. Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (10 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road) Platinum Fashion Mall This massive wholesale mall is a source for retail shops all around Bangkok, from Khao San Road to Siam Square. You'll find many of the same brands at Chatuchak. Bargain hunters can still pay wholesale prices by purchasing a minimum of three pieces from the same store. If you are lucky you can pay the wholesale price for just two pieces. With more than 1,300 shops, you'll need at least four hours to get through the mall. The five-story mall offers everything to make shopping easier: 1,500-car parking facility, washrooms on every floor, a colossal food court, air-conditioninig and spacious aisles. If you are looking for clothing Platinum Fashion mall is much more convinient than Chatuchak. Location: Patumwan at Ratchathewi BTS Station (15 min by foot on the right on Petchaburi Road) Central World The largest shopping center in Thailand and South-East Asia with an amazing floor area measuring more than a half million square meters. (close after political troubles in Bangkok in may 2010, Central World was burn and need to be restore) Originally the name was "World Trade Center", but because of obvious reasons, the name was changed, this reopened in 2006 after a massive expansion and renovation, and is now the only mall in Bangkok that can give the Paragon a run for the money in both swank and size. The shopping mall attracts the middle and upper class in Bangkok and is a department store but it also has hundreds of retail shops selling everything from toys and clothes to jewelry and furniture. If you are going by skytrain, just drop at Chit Lom station or Siam station. Ice skating rink and a multiplex on the top floor, and contains large Isetan and Zen department stores. Location: Patumwan at Chitlom BTS Station Central World (june 2010) Gaysorn Plaza A little bit like The Emporium, the mall is famous for its international high-end brands like, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy, La Perla, Christian Dior, Loewe, Fendi, Hugo Boss and many others. General facts & figures about Gaysorn Gaysorn provides five levels of exclusive shopping with more than 100 shops over an area of 12,600 square meters. Gaysorn offers basement parking for 416 cars, doorman and valet parking service Gaysorn is managed by Gaysorn Land Asset Management Co., Ltd., a partnership between by Gaysorn Group & Hongkong Land Limited. Located just opposite Central World Plaza and if you are going by skytrain, drop at Chit Lom or Siam. Location: at Chitlom BTS Station Digital Gateway This four-storey IT mall sits like a giant spaceship waiting to gobble up earthlings. The building�s futuristic design is part of its owner�s vision to create a digital lifestyle centre for displaying the latest IT gadgets as well as hosting IT-related events and activities. Besides big technology labels such as iStudio, True, Samsung, Fujitsu and Sony, you will find a lineup of independent shops offering IT accessories, sunglasses, computer games, digicams, camera lenses, and an entire floor�s space dedicated to Japanese eateries. Contrary to other IT malls around Bangkok, Digital Gateway has no counterfeit products; so, don�t come looking for them here. Location: at Siam BTS Station Erawan Bangkok Erawan Bangkok, the graceful mall with direct access to the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok right in the heart of the Ratchaprasong shopping district, has an air of exclusivity about it. A five-storey space covering about 13, 000 square metres, it's a boutique mall that offers a selection of only the most elegant lifestyle brands. And the shoppers who frequent the polished hallways and eateries here are equally suave... On the ground level is a world of little eateries, collectively known as Urban Kitchen. Serving up a wide range of cuisine, it features elegant venues such as Crystal Jade, La Mian Xiao Long Bao (Chinese dim sum), Amaltery (adult ice cream parlour), Kitchen Paradiso, Nara (authentic Thai restaurant), Caesar Steak House, Olio Salad Bar as well as The Erawan Tea Room, overlooking the famous Erawan shrine, offers teas from all over the world along with decadent sweet things and cucumber sandwiches in a nod to the English tradition of afternoon tea. Throughout the first and second floors are stylish boutique shops featuring the likes of Burberry, Blackjack - a multi-brand store featuring chic labels like Helmut Lang, Comme des Garcons, Mc Q, Citizen of Humanity and D2 by Dquared2 - and Club 21 - an umbrella of world-class designer items ranging from Kenzo Takada to Issey Miyake. Rise to the top floor where you can select a therapy to suit your style, from hair spas, aromatherapy massage to colonic hydrotherapy. Each of the wellness and beauty centers also has their own line of products, perfect souvenirs to show off to your friends. Location: Ratchaprasong Square at Chitlom BTS Station Opening hours: daily, 9:00 am - 05:00 pm Amarin Plaza Amarin Plaza is a shopping mall located in the heart of Bangkok's Ratchaprasong shopping district. Amarin Plaza has five floors of shops offering fashion, home decor, fine furniture, jewelry, electronics, Thai handicrafts and more. The shopping mall also has a lot of different restaurants and even a Spa. A Naraiphand outlet offers Thai handicrafts and souvenirs. Location: 496-50 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330 www.amarinplaza.com Jim Thompson�s House The American who made Thai silk world famous. He disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1967. The house is located on Soi Kasem San 2. Jim Thompson is credited with the international revival of the Thai silk industry. His Bangkok home is one of the best preserved examples of a traditional Thai residence, with an outstanding collection of art and antiques from throughout Southeast Asia. Located near Siam Square (National Stadium BTS station). Open Hours: Daily 9.00 am - 4.30 pm. Admission: Thai & Foreigner under 25 year old 50 Baht, Adult 100 Baht. Siam square a modern cosmopolitan area which makes a good effort at being the �Times Square� of Bangkok. The bustling hub is packed full of large shopping malls with the best in designer names, upmarket outlets, restaurants and bars, cyber caf�s and fast-food outlets - you name it, Siam square�s got it. It�s a popular hangout spot for the young and trendy, who use the area as a large catwalk. Location: at Siam BTS Station Suan Pakkad Palace Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this complex of five Thai-style houses was once the residence of one of Thailand�s leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It houses an extensive collection of Asian art and antiques, including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilization, and also an impressive collection of sea-shells. Khon (classical Thai masked dance) Museum and Traditional Thai Music Museum are also established here. Open: Daily 9.00 am - 4.00 pm Admission Fee: Thai Adults 50 Baht, Children 20 Baht / Foreign Adults 100 Baht, Children 50 Baht
Rattanakosin - Riverside - Chinatown - Sukhumvit - Silom & Sathorn - Pathumwan - Ratchadaphisek - Phahonyothin - Around Bangkok
Copyright @ Thailand Tourist Guide - Design by Cisko Design - Photo by Chris Martin for Cisko Photo

Siam Discovery

Pratunam Market

Pratunam Market is one of Bangkok's major markets, focusing on clothes which makes it Thailand's largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means Water gate.

If you're a tourist do not hesitate to enter the small alleyways and jampacked small streets, the area is very safe unless you do something stupid like keep your wallet in your back pocket. If the area looks unappealing you might consider doing your clothes shopping at nearby Platinum Fashion Mall.

The Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Rajprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is the country's tallest building.

It contains the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world, with 673 guest rooms.

The building is 304 m (997 ft) tall, or 328 m (1,076 ft) tall if its antenna is included.

It has 85 floors, with a public observatory on the 77th floor, a bar called "Roof Top Bar & Music Lounge" on the 83rd floor, and a 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor.

The American who made Thai silk world famous. He disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1967. The house is located on Soi Kasem San 2.