Bangkok is a great place to shop, without a doubt. Here are some of my favourites.

1. Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Market is synonymous with Bangkok. This is the mega shopping experience in its dirtiest, hottest form. They sell everything there – including puppies, which are so cute that you just can’t bear to tear away from. My heart always aches when I have to leave the puppies, and I feel so hot for them. If I feel hot, imagine them with – in winter wear.

There are really 2 parts of Chatuchak – the original (near Mo Chit) and the newly renovated shops near Kamphaengphet Station. You’ll know when you are there – there is a marked difference in the cleanliness.

2. Siam Square

Fabulous little shops. I like this place better than chatuchak actually because it is a more comfortable shopping experienec, and the shops have well displayed & well chosen products that make it much easier to browse. Prices, are of course a little higher.

3. Suan Lum Night Market

This night market opens till relatively late, and is similar the newer portion of Chatuchak. This one is cooler to browse, since it opens at night. Didn’t manage to go there this time round.

4. Khao San Road

Khao San, located at the Bang Lamphu area is a backpacker street. Also known affectionately as “Thanon farang” (Caucasian Rd). Great place for cheap sleeps and cheap American breakfasts, and hair braiding jobs. I once sat through 3 hours of hair braiding on that street. It is a lot more gentrified now, but the good there are always more hip. I wrote a thesis about this street, and for this trip I was quite happy to meet up with the webmaster of www.khaosanroad.com whom I had interviewed previously.

5. Mah Boon Krong (MBK)

MBK used to be really cool with lots of things to buy, but in recent trips to Bangkok, I was always dissapointed with it. The only 2 noteworthy places to go are the 100baht bag shop and the cheap backpack shops. Oh yea, I bought a shirt there for my dad – gives you an idea of the market it is now.

6. Siam Discovery Centre / Central World Plaza (formerly World Trade Center) / Central Silom / Zen / Times Square

I just lump all these places together because they are all the typical mall sort of place, and I don’t see much difference in the shopping experience between these malls and others. In short, no X factor. However, if you need to buy lingerie, or just want to browse, then they are still good to go. I usually go to these places because I want to buy some Thai CDs there.

7. Pratunam Day Market

This is a good place for girls to go to to buy clothes at wholesale prices (almost; you should know that you’ll never really get wholesale prices) The quality differs tho’. However, there are fewer stuff for guys to buy here – maybe some sport tees and bermudas.

8. Patpong Night Market.

Try and avoid this place if you can. They function to rip off horny male tourists.

9. Gaysorn Plaza / The Emporium

These are the higher end plaza selling your Pardas, Fendi, Guccis. If you are off to Bangkok for cheap buys, then just forget about these plazas.

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