MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong (Thai: มาบุญครอง), is a large shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. At eight stories high, the center contains around 2,000 shops, restaurants and service outlets, including the 4-story Tokyu department store.
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. The multi-storey MBK is probably Bangkok’s most legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals. Eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery and DVDs.
MBK (launched in 1986) offers a mind-boggling range of goods spread over 89,000 square metres and is considerably less expensive. You’ll find entire floors dedicated to shoes and handbags, fashion and clothing, mobile phones and furniture. Like every shopping complex in Bangkok, there is an enormous food court with lots of affordable and yummy Thai and International food to choose from. The top floor comprises of an entertainment complex boasting plush cinemas, modern karaoke facilities, a computer games arcade and plenty of other restaurants and fast food choices.
Many stores selling authentic merchandise are also available. MBK Center is connected to the Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon shopping mall by elevated walkways, both of which are more upscale and have only authentic goods.
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 close to Siam Square, which can be reached from the second floor via a covered pedestrian bridge over Phaya Thai Road, and Siam Centerand Siam Paragon, which are across Rama I Road from Siam Square. The mall is just next to Supachalasai National Stadium complex.
Central World mega-shopping complex offers one of the most exciting shopping experiences in Bangkok. It has everything from brand name clothing boutiques, funky fashion, high-tech gadgets, bookshops and designer furniture to imported groceries, a lineup of banks, beauty salons, gourmet eateries and even an ice-skating rink. With so many tantalising options to explore, you could easily spend half a day here without realising it. It will come as no surprise to anyone who has experienced the incredible size of Central World that this is, in fact, the largest mall in Thailand and among the largest in the world. We think it’s safe to say that if you are looking for a shopping fix in Bangkok this place will deliver.
Occupying some 550,000 square metres of retail space and a total area size of 830,000 square metres – that is 30% larger than any other shopping centre in central Bangkok – CentralWorld has a range of offerings that encompass more than 500 stores, 100 restaurants and cafes, 15 cinemas, Kids’ Zone and Learning Centre(Genius Planet Zone), two anchor department stores, as well as a trendy food court, an expansive supermarket and an outdoor square for large-scale events like Bangkok’s official New Year countdown party. The location is slap-bang in the heart of the Chidlom ‘battleground of the malls’ with direct Skytrain (BTS) access and home to the two famous shrines, Erawan Shrine and Trimurti Shrine.
CentralWorld’s retail layout is influenced by the shopping street concept, allowing shoppers to spec several storefronts at a glance, whilst its overall design has placed a lot of emphasis on natural light / daylight that filters through the many skylights and open wells. Spectacular sculptures by famous artists are used as decoration features, and a glass mobile consisting of 3,500 glass balls hanging in an open well has had the crowds in awe. Specialised anchor ‘mega-stores’ – measuring between 2,000 and 8,200 square metres – include SuperSports, PowerBuy, B2S, Central Food Hall, SB Furniture and Toys ‘R’ Us. The department store Zen spans seven floors, while Zen World on 13 floors offer a fitness centre, spa, yoga, beauty centre, as well as an educational and tourist promotion centre. Among the 500 world-class stores count 35 flagship brands like Zara, Miss Sixty and Timberland, and 36 ‘first stores’ – the likes of the Japanese brand Uniqlo and the English brand Next.
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00
Location: Ratchaprasong Intersection, opposite Gaysorn and Erawan BTS: Chidlom, Siam
Tel: + 66 (0) 264-7000
K Village is a modern-looking mall featuring some 100 air-conditioned shops in its five zones, including Fashion & Accessories, Café & Restaurants, Health & Beauty, Lifestyle & Technology and Gourmet Market. The main highlight, though, is dining, and the place is often packed at weekends. This new-generation lifestyle mall, frequented by local celebrities as well as the hip and well-to-do of Bangkok, is a welcome alternative to the glittering mega-malls flanking downtown Sukhumvit Road.
It features two open-style buildings, each offering two levels of retail space, an activities ground which doubles as a beer garden in cooler months and an outdoor parking lot. The mall itself is pet-friendly, although not every shop allows pets inside.
With freeform architecture, pockets of greenery and lots of airy, open spaces, shopping at K Village is pleasant and relaxing at the same time. Shops on the ground floor range from tiny clothes boutiques and shops selling fashion accessories to branded outlets such as Crocs, iBeat and True Value. There’s also a luxury car dealer, The Gallery, where you can empty your bank account in exchange for a spanking-new Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, or other equally prestigious brands.
Many restaurants and cafés at K Village also have outdoor dining terraces. Wine Connection is highly popular and often packed during meal times; its kitchen serves a selection of pastas, pizzas, salads and grilled meat dishes, while the adjacent wine shop offers a diverse and extremely reasonably priced range of white and red wines as well as imported beers. Also notable is KUU, a Japanese restaurant and sake bar, offering a large selection of yakitori and creative starters.
The second level has more restaurants and a handful of beauty salons. Many Japanese restaurants offer specialized menus, whether shabu shabu (Shabu Sen), katsu-dong (Katsu King), curries (Coco Ichibanya), or ramens (Yamagishi Tsukemen). The two Thai restaurants, Len Zen Boat Noodles and Yum & Tum, are also worth trying.
And there’s more. Shopping for food is a serious pastime at K Village. The two Gourmet Markets offer large selections of imported groceries from Korea and Japan, along with dedicated sections for all kinds of specialized food imaginable, whether organic vegetables, fresh fruits from orchards around the world, imported seafood, hygienic meat, charcuteries, delicatessen, Italian groceries or those specific to Thai cuisine. Regular groceries are also available, along with smaller vendors offering a range of snacks, such as Japanese sweets, patisserie products, bread, yoghurts, dairy products and Italian gelatos.
Among the dozens of community malls popping up across the city, K Village has done an exemplary job of combining all the elements of a contemporary lifestyle under one roof. There’s a good mix of chain as well as independent outlets and budget-friendly to top-end luxury brands. You feel there’s something different and more exciting here. Plus, the pet-friendly policy is definitely a bonus.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (shops and restaurants); 08:00 – 22:00 (Gourmet Market)
Location: Sukhumvit Soi 26 (near the Rama IV end)
BTS: Phrom Phong
Tel: +66 (0)2 258 9919-21
How to get there: It’s a long walk (about 30 min.) down Sukhumvit Soi 26, so it’s better to take a taxi from BTS Phrom Phong.
Central Chidlom is a stylish seven-storey department store with a modern, friendly ambience. Well-stocked, each floor has a straightforward layout dedicated to urban lifestyles, including beauty products, shoes, handbags, lady’s fashion, men’s fashion, home décor, travel, toys, electronic gadgets, books and more. Central Department Store has several branches in Bangkok, but the flagship store in Chidlom is highly popular among affluent Thais, expats and regular visitors.
It undergoes constant renovation to keep abreast with modern fashion and lifestyle trends, plus the location at the doorstep of the Chidlom BTS Skytrain ensures easy access from anywhere downtown. There is also a dedicated connection to ultra-luxe Central Embassy next door.
The ground floor of Central Chidlom Department Store is renowned throughout Bangkok for its collection of premium international brands relating to beauty and make up, perfumes and skincare, including Shu Uemura, SKII, MAC, L’Occitane, Urban Rittuale, Anna Sui, Lancôme and more. Central Chidlom has three floors dedicated to women and men’s fashion, including accessories to embellish yourself from head to toe. Here, you’ll find outsized clothing for towering Westerners while watches, hats, wallets, handbags, briefcases and shoes come in multiple varieties and brands.
The home décor department stocks a wide range of kitchen appliances, glassware, utensils, bedding, bathroom accessories and interior accessories. Children and teens have their own floor dedicated to toys, clothing and accessories. Other highlights include a large supermarket with imported produce and ready-to-eat meals; B2S for books, magazines, stationery, fountain pens and art supplies; Power Buy for electronic goods; and SuperSports for outdoor gear and sportswear.
Rather than ‘bigger is better’, Central Chidlom embraces a more practical concept of a ‘one stop shop’ for brand-name goods, unique gifts and fashion labels. It is one of the best places to go if you need something specific and don’t want to be distracted along the way. There’s also a fine range of dining options, whether at stand-alone eateries (Greyhound Café, The Terrace) or at Central Food Loft, the innovative food court concept on the 7th floor. Central Chidlom is a pure shopping experience with no multi-screen cinemas or other massive entertainment outlets, but Central Embassy next door has one of the best cinema’s in Bangkok.
Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00
Location: Corner of Ploenchit and Lang Suan Roads
BTS: Chidlom
Gaysorn is a luxurious, upmarket marble and chrome complex housing exclusively high-end luxury goods and designer labels. Its contemporary design and innovative retail concept create a very exclusive shopping experience. Located in the legendary Ratchaprasong shopping district, the cool and infinitely sophisticated Gaysorn is walking distance from other shopping malls like CentralWorld and Erawan, and presents a tranquil and refined retreat from the neighbourhood’s hustle and bustle. There is direct access to the skywalk leading to Chit Lom BTS Station and on the second floor there is a passageway into Inter Continental Bangkok Hotel for the convenience of travellers who reside there.
Expect to find a wide range of highly desirable international brands like Ermenegildo Zegna, Emilio Pucci, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Hugo Boss, just to name a few, as well as a selection of Thailand’s most innovative designers such as Disaya, Fly Now, Senada Theory and Kloset Red Carpet. Adding to the air of exclusivity, UK designer bag brand Emden has opened its first boutique store in all of Asia at Gaysorn Shopping Mall. On the third floor there is a cluster of jewellery stores with some breathtaking custom pieces, while watch manufacturers Omega and Tag Heuer both have large outlets here.
Shoppers who want to take a breather can enjoy a relaxing brunch or high tea at the shopping mall’s cafes and restaurants. Thann Boutique Cafe and Mandarin Oriental Shop both offer sophisticated respite and indulgent lunch menus, cakes and coffees. Gaysorn is reinforcing its position as a premium lifestyle shopping centre with the introduction of a ‘Lifestyle Consultant’ team, with the aim to provide a full lifestyle shopping experience that includes the highest levels of quality of service, from fashion and style, conceptual parties and gifts for all occasions. This service is part of the ‘Purely Gaysorn’ campaign showing a commitment to offer customers only the very best shopping experience and exclusive services.
Opening Hours: 10:00-20:00
BTS: Chidlom
Address: 999 Ploenchit Road, Ratchaprasong Junction
Tel: +66 (0) 2656 1149
Platinum Fashion Mall is like an indoor version of the Chatuchak Weekend Market. It specializes in wholesale fashion clothing and accessories, with four floors of shopping space, packed with some 1,300 shops. Here, haggling is part of the fun, and you’ll save more buying in larger quantities.
Platinum Fashion Mall location is smack in the centre of Pratunam, a 10-minute walk from either Ratchathewi or Chidlom BTS Skytrain, so it is easily accessible when compared to other clothing bazaars of the same scale. Plus, it’s air conditioned and comes complete with a large food court as well as cafés and fast food chains. There’s even a four-star hotel, Novotel Bangkok Platinum, on top. Talking about a one-stop shopping for reasonably-priced clothes and accessories, Platinum Fashion Mall is your best bet.
There’s not much to the concept; it’s a wholesale shopping mall filled with small outlets, selling mostly women’s fashion and accessories. Each floor of Platinum Fashion Mall is named after famous shopping districts around the world, namely Orchard, Nathan, Ginza, Soho, Oxford and Camden. Roughly, the four floors of retail shopping space are dedicated to men’s and women’s clothing, leathers, shoes and fashion accessories. The range of styles and what’s available is more than impressive.
Find everything from children’s wear, adolescent clothing, jeans, evening dresses, underwear and oversized clothing to wigs, belts, shoes, handbags, hats and cosmetics. Specialty shops are interesting too, with imported fashion from Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, as well as niche fashion, such as oversized clothes, elderly lady’s fashion, chiffon dresses, cowboy clothes, costumes, and more.
Basically, you can find anything to embellish yourself with from head to toe, so it’s a good idea to do some mixing and matching in your head as you browse along. And don’t hesitate to buy when you see something that you like or you may not find it again.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Location: Petchburi, Ratchathewi (next to Pantip Plaza)
BTS: The nearest Skytrain station is Chidlom (but not really walking distance, you wll need a taxi or tuk yuk)