Siam Square Shopping

Siam Square is the heart of Bangkok’s consumerism, an area of shops and cafes from tiny independents to glitzy mega-shopping malls. You can get all sorts here from a new supercar to a fake designer t-shirt. Siam Square originally referred to the alleyways packed full of cool shops, trendy cafes and boutiques behind the Siam BTS station on Rama 1 Road leading back to the Bangkok University Campus. Many of these are run by independent local designers and are where you pick up some unique clothing at good prices. This is Bangkok’s trend setting area, full of students with disposable cash from the prestigious Bangkok University nearby. The surrounding area has spawned around a dozen shopping malls which now come under the Siam Square label. Most are situated along Rama 1 Road from the National Stadium down to Chit Lom BTS station and are pretty much back to back. It’s worth wondering through the streets behind the Siam BTS station first and heading west towards the unmissable blue-tinted glass front of the MBK center. MBK has a bit of a cheap-market setup selling a lot of brand clothing and electronics, most of which isn’t genuine so bare this in mind before parting with any serious cash. It does have a superb food court (MBK Food Island) serving up great Thail food at great prices. If you head north back towards Rama 1 Rd and cross over the road, on the corner you will see Bangkok Art and Culture Museum. Inside the building has quite an interesting architectural design lined with small galleries and tables of local artists showcasing their work, with the artist on hand to chat to. It’s a fun space rather than a high-end art museum where you can pick up handmade postcards, t-shirts and jewellery. There’s also interesting sculptures, nice cafes and a bonus is it’s relatively quiet to enjoy the space. The malls are filled with western brands and for those that love to shop your gauntlet is the shopping mall lined Rama 1 Rd back down towards Siam BTS station, continuing all the way to Chit Lom BTS Station for the die-hard shoppers! The prices here will tend to be the same as back home bar small potential currency exchange and tax benefits. A quick run-down of some of the malls as you head down this road… The first two malls on your left are Siam Discovery and Siam Center which have a bit of young brand feel with the likes of Superdry, DKNY and Nike. There’s even a Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in the Siam Center! Next just opposite the Siam BTS station is Siam Paragon, a massive upmarket mall with high-end designers such as Prada and Armani mixed in with some high-street brands. There’s a bowling alley, cinema and a load of food places. If you keep going past Wat Pathum Wannaram (yes there’s a wat in the middle of this lot) you’ll come to Central World on your left, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. There’s no shortage of brands and stores for you to go at in here! It also boasts a cinema and ice-skating rink. There’s a couple more smaller malls as you continue to the Chit Lom BTS station but I’m burnt out just even thinking about it, surely you would be?! Malls are open 10:00am – 10:00pm, some of the independent boutiques close a little earlier. Address: Rama 1 Rd from junction with Phayathai Rd, Siam Square, Bangkok