What to look out for (and what to avoid) at Pantip Plaza, the most famous Bangkok electronics mall. Pantip Plaza is the mother of all IT shops in Thailand and has gained legendary status as the place to find new and used computers and accessories at rock-bottom prices. Occupying a rather featureless building on Petchaburi Road, Pantip Plaza has also gained notoriety because of the widespread practice of selling counterfeit software, DVDs… and more sordid material.
The mall itself has certainly seen better days, but like an old auntie that always has lots of candy when you go to visit, Pantip Plaza is still pulling in the punters thanks to unbeatable bargains and cheap technical specialists for things like repairs and upgrades. If it is your first visit to Pantip Plaza there are some things you should know to aid your experience, as well as a few things to be aware of.
Firstly, everything a technophile could possibly want can be found here – often several times over: laptops, tablets, software, cameras, parts, printers, digital cameras, MP3 players …you name it. Pantip Plaza shopping mall is where other traders from around the country go to buy at wholesale prices so cut out the middleman and buy direct from one of the countless stalls to pocket some significant savings or bag some added extras. The art of negotiation is alive and well in Pantip so even if the trader won’t budge on a particular price, you can always ask for some freebies.
With so much competition for your custom, shops are usually willing to throw in a few extras to secure the sale. Along with the smaller trading stalls, there are also two anchor stores: Hardware House on the mezzanine level and IT City covering the whole of the top floor. These stores sell at slightly higher prices than other shops, but they still offer decent discounts together with the added security of a manufacturer’s warranty and reliable after-sales service. Another great feature of Pantip Plaza is the bargain bins that can be found outside many stores, selling anything from cute and funky phone accessories, to USB flash drives and mouse pads. Some of these bargain bins sell items for as low as 20baht an item, so keep an eye out to grab a cheap memento.
It can be bit daunting knowing where to go and who to trust in Pantip Plaza as the entirety of this five storey mall is dedicated to computer and technology items. There are definitely well-trusted shops inside because it’s not that uncommon to see a distressed-looking Thai carrying their whole CPU into the techno-doctors that live inside; you know, the socially-awkward ones hunched over a computer with a fan the size of a small airplane propeller.
The problem for some is that Pantip Plaza openly sells counterfeit products alongside genuine, top-of-the-range models, but it is important to remember that Pantip Plaza has been operating for well over 20 years and the vast majority of shopkeepers aren’t trying to rip anyone off. Although copies and counterfeit goods are common, in almost all circumstances the sales assistant will offer you both the copy and the genuine item and it is then up to the customer to decide. The secret is to take your time, and to compare prices.
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 21:00 (every day).
Location: Petchaburi Road, opposite Pratunam’s City Complex
BTS: Chidlom (but still quite a walk)
How to get there: From BTS Chidlom, either hire a tuk-tuk/taxi or walk ten minutes down Ratchadamri Road past Central World on your left, over the Saen Saeb canal and then left on Phetburi Road. Walk about two blocks, and Pantip Plaza should be on your left.
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
Bangkok’s first ever ‘ultra-luxury lifestyle mall’ sits proudly on the former grounds of the British Embassy on Sukhumvit Road, hence the name Central Embassy. This 18 billion baht mega mall was opened in 2014 and boasts nothing but exclusive designer brand name including a huge Gucci store, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Chanel, Prada and much more.
The futuristic building, spread over seven spacious and open floors, also has an upscale food court in its basement, a luxury cinema at the top (tickets start at about 1,500 baht) and a 6-star Park Hyatt Bangkok hotel (open 2015). You can access the mall directly from Chidlom or Ploen Chit BTS Stations on the Sukhumvit line and there is also direct access available from its older brother, Central Chidlom, which is just next door.
Opening Hours: 10:00 until 22:00 every day
Location: Ploenchit Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10330
BTS: Ploen Chit
Tel: +66 (0) 2 119 7777