Best Shopping in Bangkok

Bangkok has more shopping than you could see in a month: luxury malls, wholesale fashion towers, electronics centres and the world's biggest weekend market. Most visitors waste time by going to the most famous mall rather than the one that sells what they want. Start from what you're looking for.

Where to go for what

The Siam mall cluster

Around BTS Siam, a chain of malls is linked by covered skywalks, so you can spend a whole hot afternoon without stepping into the sun. See our Siam guide.

• Siam Paragon — luxury brands, a large supermarket and food hall, the SEA LIFE aquarium and a cinema. The food hall is one of the easiest places in Bangkok to try many dishes.
• Siam Center — fashion with a focus on Thai designers and younger brands.
• Siam Discovery — design-led lifestyle and homeware.
• MBK Center — older, busier and cheaper: phones, electronics, accessories and souvenirs. Bargaining is possible at some stalls.
• CentralWorld — one of the largest malls in the city, a short walk along the skywalk towards Chit Lom.

ICONSIAM

On the Thonburi bank of the river, ICONSIAM is a vast luxury mall whose ground floor, SookSiam, recreates market stalls from across Thailand — a good place to try regional food. Reach it by the BTS Gold Line or the free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier. See our ICONSIAM guide.

Pratunam and Platinum Fashion Mall

North of Siam, Pratunam is Bangkok's wholesale clothing district. Platinum Fashion Mall has floors of small shops selling inexpensive clothes, often with lower prices for buying several pieces. It's busy, practical and not glamorous. Mornings are calmer.

Sukhumvit malls

Terminal 21 at Asok has floors themed on world cities and a well-priced food court. Emporium and EmQuartier at Phrom Phong are polished and upmarket. See our Sukhumvit guide.

Markets

For the most interesting shopping in Bangkok — ceramics, vintage, plants, crafts, homeware — go to Chatuchak at a weekend. Night markets are better for food and cheap casual clothes. See the best markets in Bangkok.

Bargaining

• Malls and department stores: fixed prices.
• Markets and small stalls: polite bargaining is normal, especially for several items. Smile, start a bit lower and meet in the middle. Don't haggle hard over small sums.

VAT refunds for tourists

Visitors can reclaim VAT on goods bought at participating stores (look for "VAT Refund for Tourists" signs), above a minimum spend. Ask for the refund form when you pay and keep your receipts. At the airport, have the goods inspected by customs before check-in, then claim at the refund counter. Thresholds and procedures change, so check the current rules with the store or the Thai Revenue Department.

Counterfeit goods

Fake designer goods are still sold at some markets and malls. Buying them supports organised crime, and bringing them home may be illegal in your country — some customs authorities confiscate them and fine the buyer.

Souvenirs worth buying

Skip the elephant trousers (unless you'll actually wear them) and look for things that are genuinely made or designed in Thailand:

• Thai silk and cotton — from established shops rather than market stalls if quality matters. The Jim Thompson brand has shops across the city.
• Ceramics — Chatuchak has stalls selling celadon and modern Thai ceramics at good prices.
• Thai design and homeware — Siam Discovery and Chatuchak's homeware sections are the best places to look.
• Food products — curry pastes, dried fruit and Thai tea from Or Tor Kor or a mall supermarket. Check what your home country allows you to bring in.
• Spa products — Thai brands of soaps, oils and balms, sold in malls and at markets.

Practical tips

• Mall hours: most big malls open around 10am and close around 10pm, every day.
• Go to malls in the afternoon heat and markets in the morning or evening.
• Carry cash for markets; malls and department stores take cards.
• Sizes run small in many Thai clothing brands. Try things on where you can.
• Bring a foldable bag for Chatuchak — you'll buy more than you planned.

For where to stay near the shopping, see our Siam guide and Sukhumvit guide.