Shopping Centres in Bangkok, Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Shopping Areas and Places in Bangkok

Shopping is major attraction for visitors to Thailand and of course Bangkok is one of the best places in the country for shopping!

Literally everything you can think of is available in the capital, with most goods at prices you can afford. Alongside its markets and shops, Bangkok has some great department stores and shopping centres where anything from shirts and trousers to gems and technology are available. Some shopping centres cover everything; places like MBK sell an enormous range of goods, while others concentrates on particular types of goods – Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza, for example, is world famous as an outlet for every type of computer technology. Explore further and you can find entire neighbourhoods specialising in certain goods - Khao San Road, for instance, specialises in silver goods while its’ neighbour China Town features gold shops and Chinese herbs and medicines.

Worth seeing

If you are in Bangkok for a longer visit consider visiting more shopping areas and places.


SIAM SQUARE

Over the last few years Siam Square has become the zenith of shopping experience in Bangkok. As the name suggests this is a square stretching out to Rama 1 Road, Chulalongkorn University grounds and Henri Dunant Road. It is packed with every variety of shop and predominantly caters to Bangkok’s young and beautiful. This is not a place for discount buys – the clothes and accessories here are likely to be full price, and you may be left wondering where these young people get their money from! Home to Bangkok’s addition to the Hard Rock Café franchise, Siam Square is also full of pubs, clubs (CM2 for one), hotels (such as the Novotel) and small cafes and fast-food outlets. Bangkok’s British Council is in Siam Square. This has a good library if you want to spend some quiet time. There’s also a couple of cinema’s playing the latest Hollywood blockbusters. To add to its convenience, the square is connected by walkways to surrounding shopping centres such as Mah Boon Krong (famous for sales of mobile telephones and related technologies). Siam Square is also famous for Centre Point – a meeting place for the young which offers music from live bands and a multitude of little cafes where you can buy your designer teas and coffees. A radio station pumps music out of loudspeakers at all hours during the day and evening. If you want to sit and watch TV, there’s a giant LCD screen right in the middle of the square! Although Centre Point is strictly for the young and trendy, Siam Square’s shopping experience is a must for everyone. Expect to spend at least half a day here.

How to get there: By far the quickest way to get to Siam Square is by BTS – Siam Square is the main interchange station. A taxi from the central Bangkok will cost 50-60 Baht depending on traffic.

The following buses will get you there:

Bus number: 15, 16, 21, 25, 29, 34, 36, 40, 45, 47, 48, 54, 73, 79, 113, 20,
Air-conditioned bus number: 1, 2, 8, 28

[KatoeyLover69]

P A R T 1

We are living in the Sukhumvit area, and can give some advice regarding good locations to buy your groceries and things you may need while living in Bangkok. Now, we will not compare prices at all locations (except supermarkets), but concentrate on those venues that can be easily used by public transport (that is the skytrain and the subway), or on foot. This is not exactly what most tourists need, but may be of help to those who stay in Bangkok for a longer time.


Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Along Sukhumvit road there is ample choice as to where to buy your groceries and daily necessities.

The best choice by far to do this is at Foodland in soi 5. It is open 24 hours a day, and actually busy at most times. The reason for being a best choice, is that you can find most necessary items and food here at lower prices than about anywhere else (except of course local markets) There is also a quiet busy restaurant counter for a quick reasonable lunch or dinner. It is located close to the entrance of the soi, and the only thing against it, is that the local environment is not optimal, that is, there are prostitutes and people who seem to loiter around (doing what exactly?) in abundance around the area, giving it somehow the appearance of semi-criminality. If you do your groceries, and have to take a taxi back to your hotel or apartment, you will still be better off than being things closer to home.

Tops Supermarket (at Robinson Department Store, soi 19) is more fancy, has a foodcourt, but prices inside the supermarket are much more than you would pay at Foodland. In effect, even when discounts or promotions are given, prices are still usually higher than at Foodland. Of course, you are at Robinson, and can do some shopping inside the department store.

You can get a membercard at Tops and will be asked to present it each time you buy things. There are regular discounts for members only (some discounts are borderline, but sometimes there are some really good deals). Furthermore what you spend is tallied, and after spending a certain amount, you will get a discount voucher.
We noticed something somewhat disconcerting during one of our last visits to Robinson. We felt the need to express our opinion about services in the 'fresh vegetables' section. Unfortunately, even after asking few of the employees, we could not find any mailbox where customers could mail their suggestions or complaints for the store. This seems almost inappropriate, since any major business or shopping center can learn a lot from listening to its customers.

Villa Market around soi 33, is the original supermarket in the area, and popular mainly with foreigners. It is expensive though, but you can find some items here that are not easily found at other supermarkets, even though the store itself is not especially large. The have a large bagel collection for one thing, and also a large wine collection on the second floor.

Closeby on the upper floors of Emporium Department Store (connected to the skytrain) is a rather fancy supermarket offering lots of attractive wares, especially a large collection of fruits and vegetables, and Thai food, you do not find easily elsewhere. It is not as expensive as one would expect (in view of its location at Emporium) but possibly build as an afterthought, since getting your things from the upper floors to street level and Sukhumvit Road is a chore, if you do not have a car parket in the basement.

Hypermarkets, offering cheaper goods, sometimes in bulk, and also cheap clothes and other necessities can be found when taking the subway. Tesco-Lotus is located at Rama 9 station, while Carrefour (and also a Robinson Department Store) is located at the next station, at Thailand Cultural Center.

Emporium (at Phrompong Skytrain Station) is an upperscale shopping center with many fashion and designer brands. It also houses a department store, supermarket and movie theatres.


Seven Elevens are ubiquitous in Bangkok and can be found at the beginning of most sois, and on the main streets. We think there are about 2,000 of these stores in Bangkok alone, and most are doing a good trade. Wares are somewhat higher than in supermarkets, but the shops are quite convenient when you need only a few items like cola drinks or a beer.

Department Stores
Central Chitlom is easily reached (connected with the skytrain station at Chitlom) and offers a lot of fashionable clothes and toiletries. As most other department stores, there seem to be continuous promotions and discounts (instead of lowering the prices the whole year, as would be more appropriate). It has also a Tops supermarket connected to it on the first floor, and as most Centrals it also includes Super Buy (electronic goods), and a large collection of sporting goods.

Emporium (located at skytrain station) is even more upmarket if possible, and offers a lot of shops besides its department store. The place is large, but has the advantage of having a lot of space to walk and hang around, which is what a lot of people actually do.
Siam Square offers more like a large collection of smaller shops (a lot of clothes outlets), besides a lot of fast food restaurants. It is the place to go if you want to see 'cute' Thai girls (and metrosexual boys), who dress up just within acceptable levels. This is where you will find the largest collection of girls who are hanging around, displaying invariably parts of their buttocks (low cut trousers), when making the slightest movement. Please do not make the assumption that this has actually anything to do with 'availability', it is just being cool and showing off.

To be continued ...........

[KatoeyLover69]

P A R T 2

Going to Chatuchak weekend market

Both the skytrain and the subway can bring you all the way to Chatuchak nowadays, and going there is certainly a must if you are interested in Thai artefacts. You will find lots of cute things there to decorate your house at modest prices, besides cheap clothing. The place is also (in)famous for its trade in pets and animals with all that is connected to it, like pet food and accessories. But take your bottles of water with you, it can be really hot out there, and there are masses of people around. It is open during weekend days only.

Computers : Hardware and Software

If you want to check out computer outlets in Central Bangkok, we can recommend two major centers :
1) Pantip Plaza
Pantip Plaza is located a 5 minutes walk from Ratchathewi skytrain station

2) Fortune Town
Fortune Town is located at the Subway station called Rama IX
(computer shops on the third and fourth floors)

In both centers, you will find lots of computer hardware and accessories, as well as supplies of software and games. Both centers are famous for having pirated computer software of about everything, but the last year or two, there has been a well intended crackdown on pirated software. Nevertheless, while we certainly do not recommend buying it, there seems still to be a regular supply of software at 150 baht a disk. The best deals may be the compilation disks of mostly freeware and shareware, that can contain tens and tens of useful items on one CD. We recommend fullheartedly to buy the games that are available for instance at Zest. Popular computer games (legal version, only to be sold in Thailand) can be had for 350-600 baht, a real bargain.

At both Fortune Town (4th Floor) and Panthip Plaza (upper Floor) we recommend a visit to IT City outlets, where you can find most things you are looking for (except software) under one roof.

Hardware Stores
There are two important hardware stores around town : HomePro and Homeworks (this one associated with Central Group).

An HomePro outlet is located at Wave Place, conveniently connected with the Phloenchit skytrain station. There are both a HomePro and Homeworks (in Robinson store) located close to Thailand Cultural Center subway station. At that area you will also find a Carrefour and Robinson Department Store, so it is actually a big shopping area, but you will not find many foreigners there, even though it is quite easily reached nowadays.

At both HomePro and Home Works, you will find lots of 'do-it-yourself' equipment, bathrooms, kitchens, tiles, garden equipment, construction equipment, electrical hardware and the like. If you buy a sufficient amount (for instance to install or redecorate your bathroom), they will also provide service in checking thing out, and providing you with the labor to do it at nominal or low costs.

Furniture
For the newcomer to Bangkok who is looking for new furniture, we would suggest you visit MBK- Center (formerly known as Mahboonkrong). On the fifth floor you will find ample choice of both cheap and upmarket furniture. As far as we know, this is the largest collection in Central Bangkok you will find. 10% discounts on the suggested price seems to be standard. MBK center can easily be reached by skytrain, a little walk from Siam Square. Best is to take the connection to National Stadium, and take the walkway into MBK from there.
(this is NOT an advertisement, just free advice)
Pathumwan Princess hotel is located at MBK-Center.[room rates starting from 75 USS]

Mobile Phones
If you need anything done on your mobile phone, want to buy one, or need any mobile phone accessories, we suggest you wander around MBK Center and check things out at the different outlets there. The fourth floor seems to have tens of shops where you can be helped. Possibly you will be better off if you can speak the language, but you can try to get around in English.
MBK center can easily be reached by skytrain, a little walk from Siam Square. Best is to take the connection to National Stadium, and take the walkway into MBK from there.

Another place where there are a lot of phone outlets, is at Fortune Tower (lower floors), located at Rama 9 subway station (closeby on the upper floors lots of computer hardware and software, as well as a Tesco-Lotus hypermarket)

Sportswear :
Sportswear both cheap and expensive is widely available throughout Bangkok. For large stores, you can visit virtually any Central Department Store or Robinson Store, and head for the SuperSports section, where you will find all kinds of apparel sportswear, tennis and golf equipment, sneakers from all major brands like Nike and Adidas.

At Fortune Town (on the basement floor), there is a large store called Sports World, with also a big choice of the above goods, although we did not see a Nike section on our last visit.

Fortune Town is located at the Rama 9 station of the MRTA subway. Around Nana, next to the entry to the skytrain (on Sukhumvit on the side with the uneven numbered sois), you will find two stores that sell shirts from famous soccer clubs. Whether they are original or faked, we do not know. Prices in those shops may be a little bit high, so walk around on Sukhumvit in the adjacent area, and you may find some street vendors selling the same outfits at a price of around 300-400 baht a piece. In the past we have bought these soccer shirts from some young relatives, and found them to be of good quality.

[KatoeyLover69]

P A R T 3

Fast food, bread and the like :
McDonald's can be found all around town. Other burger fast food restaurants have not fully developed, so you will have to stick with this one. Prices are in our opinion extremely low. Example, one hamburger + one cheeseburger + medium French fries goes for about 85 baht.

There are many Pizza outlets around town, the two most available being Pizza Hut and The Pizza Company. Their wares are very similar, and when compared to McDonald's their prizes are higher.

Finding reasonable bread in Bangkok is difficult. As far as we know there are no proper bakeries anywhere to purchase standard 'usual' fresh bread. Most bread you can buy is industrially made and tastes as such. Furthermore, standard bread bought in supermarkets is usually sweetened, sometimes with honey. You can find somehow acceptable bread at the 'Boulange' bakeries available in most Tops supermarkets.

The best bagels in town are at Au Bon Pain outlets. The outlets however are not widely scattered around town. There is one somewhere in the back at the ground floor of Discovery Center (Siam Square), and one at Bumrungrad hospital. The branch that is most conveniently located is close to the exit of the Silom station of the subway. But our experience indicates that now regularly bagels are sold out at most times of day. Possibly best to get them as early as they open in the morning.

Reasonable, but somewhat sweetened bagels can be found at Villa Market (close to Phromphong skytrain station).

Pretzels can be found at Foodland (Sukhumvit soi 5), and if you can find them also at the 'Boulange' bakeries of Tops supermarkets.

Danish rolls and baked goods are a clear disaster. Just looking at the contraptions will make you loose your appetite. Somehow though, they seem to be popular with Thai people. You will find Danish with mayonnaise spread out on top, if that is something you favor.

Subway has opened a few outlets in Bangkok and they are available close to Nana on both sides of Sukhumvit road, and at the beginning of soi 23, Sukhumvit road. Now, Subway seems to position itself as providing healthy food, but while we enjoy their sandwiches once in a while, we also understand that they are partly to blame for overall obesity in the U.S.A. This in view of the size of their servings. For some reason also, there are no basic ham or cheese sandwiches available. Instead, cheese is added to any bread you order, adding another 150-200 unnecessary calories. Maybe our American friends do not know better, but in our opinion the six different breads to choose from all basically taste the same, and have the same texture. The bread is obviously designed for eating without chewing first, and that way is perfectly suitable for edentates. Possible at least one choice of bread should be just a little bit chewy.

Actually the best fresh bread can be found at Indian and Arab restaurants. If you are not islamophobic we can recommend one restaurants where you can buy freshly baked flat Arab bread made in front of your eyes. It is located in soi 3/1 (a small soi in between soi 3, which is the wide road at Nana intersection, and soi 5 Sukhumvit Road, where Foodland is located). Just walk into the soi, and after about 50 meters on the left you will find Petra Restaurants. It looks like a back entrance to the restaurants, but as far as we know, it is the front entrance. Order a few flat breads, it will be done in a few minutes. Then get one or two portions of hummus, and you will have a very decent healthy meal (maybe you can ask not to put olive oil on top, and use your own oil at home, just to avoid spilling the oil while going home).

[KatoeyLover69]

Shopping by the Rules

When you shop in Thailand, set aside your traditional approach to shopping. Our guidelines below will help you seek out treasures in the most pleasurable way, with the least amount of wear and tear on you.

1. The most important shopping areas are concentrated in the central business districts and a few outlying suburban areas. We recommend staying at a hotel in close proximity to the main shopping streets in the center of town.

2. Concentrate your shopping on a few shopping areas within close proximity of each other each day.

3. Prepare to walk a great deal within each shopping area, but use transportation to go from one shopping area to another.

4. Use the Skytrain, taxis, or hotel cars when traveling within or between shopping areas.

Our rule of thumb: If we must walk more than one kilometer, we take the Skytrain, taxi, or boat, or we rent a hotel car and driver by the hour, half-day, or day.

5. Take your rain and sun gear with you whenever you go out. Thailand's hot, humid weather can be unpredictable!


6. Expect to shop in two very different shopping cultures which require different shopping skills. The world of fixed prices is familiar to visitors from the West, but the second shopping culture consists of shophouses, markets, and hawkers, tending to be disorganized and require bargaining.


7. The day and night markets can be colorful and fun to shop in, but only if you are open to sights, sounds, and smells not normally found in other shopping sites.

8. Most department stores and some shopping centers primarily cater to the shopping preferences of local residents rather than to foreign tourists. You won't find a lot of quality products in these places, although there are a few exceptional shopping centers in Bangkok that target foreign visitors and Thailand's upper class.


9. The best quality products are invariably found in the major hotel shopping arcades and a few shopping centers with a reputation for quality.


10. Expect to get the best prices on locally produced items that use inexpensive labor.

11. Don't expect to get something for nothing.


12. Ask for assistance whenever you feel you need it.


13. Don't be surprised if some shopkeepers take a lot of your time in developing a personal and long-term relationship with you. Business in Thailand is still a set of personal relations.

[KatoeyLover69]

Map of Sukhumvit Area

http://bangkok2night.com/maps/sukhumvit.shtml

[KatoeyLover69]

Map of Ratchadapisek Road :-

http://bangkok2night.com/maps/ratchdapisek.shtml

[Malaysian Datuk]

Bro KTL69, din know you posted such an informative thread here.....I used to remember the good old days when MBK was the biggest shopping centre in Asean (an honour previously held by our very own Holiday Plaza before circa 1980)

[KatoeyLover69]

Map of New Petchburi Road :-


http://bangkok2night.com/maps/new_petchburi_road.shtml

[KatoeyLover69]

If you intend to spend 3 or more days in Bangkok, I suggest that you take some time off from your shopping and other activities to visit the famous 58-hectares Lumpini Park ( at Rama IV Road) to 'recharge your batteries'

Lumpini Park web-sites :-

http://www.bangkoksite.com/Parks/LumpiniPark1.htm

http://bangkok.thailandtoday.com/lei...mpinipark.html


PROFILE OF LUMPINI PARK :
Named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, this is Bangkok's largest and most popular park. The park is bordered by Rama IV Road to the South, Sarasin Road to the North, Witthayu Road to the East and Ratchadamri Road to the West, with entrance gates on all sides. A large artificial lake in the center is surrounded by broad, well-tended lawns, wooded areas and walking paths. In other words, it is the best outdoor escape from Bangkok without leaving town.

This 360-rai (58 hectare) plot of land was formerly known as the Sala Deang field, and was the private property of King Rama VI. In 1925, the King donated the land to the nation to be used as a public and fair ground. The Siamrath Phiphithapan Trade Fair held here to promote Thai producta among Thais and forigners was discontinued after the death of the King Rama VI.

One of the best times to visit the park is in the early morning. Suan Lumpini is a place of moods rather than sights. In the morning it's full of people exercising. More striking and graceful than the joggers are Chinese tai chi groups, making slow movements to music. Along the gates, vendors set up tables to dispense fresh snake blood and bile considered a health tonic by many Thais and Chinese. Rowing boats and puddle boats can be rented at the lake. A weight-lifting area in one section becomes a miniature "muscle beach" on the weekends. Other facilities include a snack bar, several areas with tables and benches for picnics and a couple of tables where ladies serve Chinese tea. Rest rooms are placed at intervals throughout the park.

Koh Loy or Floating Island
King Rama VI arranged for example of native plants from all regions of the country to be planted here for the education of the people.

Royal Monument of King Rama VI
Located at the park's main entrance. Alumni of Vajiravudh College built the memorial with the additional funding from the government of F.M. Plaek Pibulsongkram and public donations.

Clock Tower
This Chinese style structure was built in 1925 as preparations for the Siamrath Phiphitthapan Trade Fair.

Public Library
This is the first public library in Thailand. It has 30,000 books and has opened audio and visual educational services, promotions to encourage reading, and book exhibitions etc.

OPENING HOURS:
Daily 4:30am-8pm

COST:
Free of Charge
Boat Rental at Bht30/Half Hr.

FEATURE:
- Bangkok's largest and most popular park
- Koh Loy or Floating Island
- Royal Monument of King Rama VI
- Clock Tower
- Public Library

GETTING THERE:
BUS
- 4, 13, 14, 15, 17, 25, 45, 46, 47, 62, 67, 74, 76, 106, 109, 115, 116, 149, AC4, AC5, AC15, AC62, AC67, AC76, MC14, MC17
BTS - Sala Daeng Station

DO & DON'T:
- Do join in an early morning exercise of "Tai Chi"
- If you dare, do try fresh snake blood and bile

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS / FACILITIES :
Accommodation »
- Dusit Thani
- Pan Pacific Bangkok
- The Sukhothai Bangkok

Food & Restaurants
- Soi Polo BBQ Chicken
- Anna Cafe

Nightlife & Entertainment
- Patpong
- Lung Suan Pubs

Shopping
- Robinson Department Store
- Silom Complex
- Jim Thompson Silk Shop

Sightseeing
- Lumpini Thai Boxing Stadium
- Snake Farm

Additional info :-

Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Lumpini Park is the biggest park in the central business district and is a favourite amongst office workers for early morning jogging and early evening aerobics (an instructor leads an aerobics session every evening around 17:00-17:30). The park is also popular with ethnic Chinese who practice ‘Tai Chi’ – a curious slow motion exercise derived from the martial arts. The park has a huge central lake with paddle boats and is sometimes the venue for musical performances. A trip to the park can be combined with a visit to the statue of King Chulalongkorn as well as a trip to the Lumpini Night Bazaar. You can also purchase snake blood and bile from vendors in the park – highly regarded as health tonics amongst ethnic Chinese.

Details: The park is open daily from 05:00 to 20:00. Admission to the park is free.

How to get there: Lumpini Park has entrances on Rama IV Road, Ratchadamri Road and Witthayu (Wireless) Road and is within easy walk of Silom Road. The nearest BTS station is Saladang and the nearest MRT Silom/Lumpini. MRT is probably the easiest way to get there. A taxi fare from the centre should cost around 40 Baht.

The following buses will get you there:

Air-conditioned bus: 4, 547

Bus number: 14, 17, 46, 47, 50, 115


Some more info :-

Named after the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, Lumpini Park is Bangkok's largest and most popular park. The park is bordered by Rama IV Road to the South, Sarasin Road to the North, Witthayu Road to the East and Ratchadamri Road to the West, with entrance gates on all sides. A large artificial lake in the center is surrounded by broad, well-tended lawns, wooded areas and walking paths. In other words, it is the best outdoor escape from Bangkok without leaving town.

One of the best times to visit the park is in the early morning. Suan (Park) Lumpini is a place of moods rather than sights. In the morning it is full of people exercising. More striking and graceful than the joggers are Chinese Tai Chi groups, making slow movements to music. The practitioners of Tai Chi who can be seen in Lumpini Park every early morning (around 5 AM-7:AM) put less strain on their bodies' circulation. Tai Chi is a rather soft Chinese form of exercise, healthy not only for the body but allegedly also for the mind.

Along the gates, vendors set up tables to dispense fresh snake blood and bile considered a health tonic by many Thais and Chinese. Rowing boats and puddle boats can be rented at the lake.

A weight-lifting area in one section becomes a miniature " music beach" on the weekends. Other facilities include a snack bar, several areas with tables and benches for picnics and a couple of tables where ladies serve Chinese tea. Rest rooms are placed at intervals throughout the park.

Musical shows are sometimes held in this spacious park. The park which is enclosed by a high wall and locked overnight.. It can be argued whether the joggers serve their health by doing their practice there as the surrounding part of town is heavily polluted. Nevertheless, the elaborate jogging track, complete with stops for weight lifting and special gymnastics, is in use all day, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons

[netraker]

Yo bro KatoeyLover69, what a job u did on compiling all the list of shopping centers etc in BKK... makes me want to make another trip up there to visit..

Anyways, from your nick, i suppose you can do a short one on the ladyboy
scene in bkk as well ? if i can up u , i would !

[KatoeyLover69]

CENTRAL DEPARTMENT STORE

The largest group of department stores in Bangkok belong to Central. Their flagship store is Central Chidlom on Ploenchit Road. There are 11 other stores spread around Bangkok. The store has departments for clothes, cosmetics, electronics, jewelry, sports equipment, stationery and books.

1. Chidlom, Ploenchit Road
2. Ladprao, Paholyothin Road.
3. Wangburapa, Chakraphet Road.
4. Ramindra
5. Silom, Silom Road.
6. Huamark, Ramkamhaeng Road.
7. Bangna, Bangna Road.
8. Fashion Island, Ramindra Road.
9. Pinklao, Boromrachachonanee Road.
10. Future Park Rangsit, Phaholyothin Road.
11. Rama III, Rama III Road.
12. Silom Complex, Silom Road.

Two of the Central department stores have easy access from the BTS Sky Train. These are Central Chidlom (Chidlom Station) and Central Silom Complex (Saladaeng Station). We would also recommend Central City Banga on the southern outskirts. This has the bonus of having Leoland, a massive theme park on the roof (complete with swimming pools and roller coasters). Take the BTS Sky Train to the end of the line at On Nut and then take the free BTS Shuttle Bus to the department store.

Web-site for Central Department Stores :

http://www.central.co.th/web/index.html

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 21 December 2005 :-

PARTY AT SANAM LUANG ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Bangkok revellers will be able to ring in the New Year with a candlelit prayer ceremony at Sanam Luang, officials said yesterday.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will invest Bt5 million on a party at Sanam Luang from 8am on New Year’s eve to 1am the next morning. BMA spokesman Puttipong Punnakan said revellers would also be treated to His Majesty the King’s philosophy of self-sufficiency economy.

City police will also allow night entertainment venues to stay open until 6am on New Year’s morning.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated 23 December 2005 :-

New Year Special: Top malls rise to Paragon’s challenge


This year has been one of major renovation and re-branding at leading shopping malls along Sukhumvit Road. The change is part of their “defensive” strategy to meet the challenge posed by the new Siam Paragon complex, which opened earlier this month and is expected to pressure the margins of the six big malls in the area:

Central World Plaza, Gaysorn Shopping Centre, Erawan Bangkok, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Centre, and Mah Boon Krong Centre. Each shopping complex is now sporting its own unique concept and theme.

Central Pattana Plc recently announced the launch of its Central World retail complex at the Rajprasong intersection. The 800,000-square-metre renovation is being undertaken at a cost of Bt26 billion and is due to be complete next year.

Central Pattana aims to turn the site, previously known as the World Trade Shopping Centre, into “Asia’s Premier Shopping Paradise”. It is increasing the number of storeys from seven to 18. The first seven floors (78,000sqm) will be taken up by Zen, the trendy department store, while the remaining floors will be developed as lifestyle areas with retail and commercial attractions such as an educational centre, spa, beauty and fitness centres.

Central Chidlom has also revamped its 62,000sqm, seven-storey store. The renovation took almost 18 months to complete. Each of the store’s seven floors now has a different concept and attractions.

Yuwadee Bhicharnchitr, president of Central Department Store Co Ltd, said the company had upgraded the store to maintain its No 1 position.

“We want it to be the flagship department store of Thailand,” she said.

Central Chidlom has expanded its retail space on the ground floor from 1,800sqm to 2,500sqm to showcase international brand cosmetics and high-end fashion labels, as well as exclusive skincare and make-up brands.

Meanwhile, Gaysorn Shopping Complex will spend Bt100 million over the next six months to maintain its image as Bangkok’s premium luxury centre.

Major improvements – redesigned signage and balustrades, added seating areas, sculptures in the atrium and more outside lighting – will be implemented in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter 2006 under the theme “Very Exclusive Contemporary” to provide convenience for all customers, especially tourists.

Gaysorn will implement its Customer Relationship Strategy (CRM) to provide ultimate satisfaction for its VIP customers. Gaysorn is looking to provide a duty-free service in partnership with tenants to support customers going abroad. Gaysorn’s highly regarded multilingual concierges set a new standard for mall customer service, and valet parking ensures easy access.

Gaysorn began a Bt300-million renovation at the end of 2000 and the grand opening of the luxury shopping complex was held in September 2002, resulting in a modern luxurious look.

Figures from Gaysorn’s tenants indicate that sales in the first six months of this year were up an average 7.5 per cent year on year.

Chairman Charn Srivikorn said that the shopping mall needed to keep up with the fast moving world of international shopping, fashion trends and expectations of Thai customers and tourists.

Amarin Plaza in November last year opened its newly renovated 13,000-square metre Erawan Bangkok shopping complex, designed under the “boutique mall” concept. The plan was initiated after Amarin Plaza Plc bought the space back from Japan-based Sogo Department Store, which shut down operations a year ago.

With an investment of Bt400 million in major renovations, Erawan Bangkok has 13,000 square meters spread over five storeys.

The boutique mall has four zones: the Urban Kitchen and Sunken Court, which focuses on various ethnic cuisines; Luxury Fashion which houses accessories including jewellery and leather; Erawan’s Studio for clothing; and The Rejuvenation for beauty products, spas, and an entertainment venue for people to meet with friends in the evening. Its main customer focus will be the younger generation and executives who “prefer a luxurious yet warm and cosy atmosphere”.

Meanwhile, Siam Centre recently reopened with its new look as it seeks to become the ultimate fashion centre, under the innovative theme, “The Magical Glass Box”.

The Bt400 million face-lift creates a magical impression through graphic images and special lighting effects.

Siam Centre will become a hub for trendy fashions, targeting new-generation of shoppers aged 12-28, while Siam Discovery Centre, the nearby shopping complex, will be a lifestyle centre for innovative and stylish local and imported products.

The Emporium also launched its Parisian look in November this year following a Bt500 million renovation. The new look features a natural atmosphere with warm colours and a stylish look.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 23 December 2005 :-

BTS, subway to run 24 hrs

Bangkok’s Skytrain and subway systems will operate around the clock from New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, officials said yesterday.

The Energy Ministry has also ordered petrol stations to open 24 hours a day until January 5 to help commuters during the festive period.

The subway will offer discount fares on New Year’s Eve. Passengers will be able to travel for Bt10, with children and the elderly paying just Bt5. Subway passengers will also receive a free calendar during the festive period.

The Bangkok Transit System (BTS) will extend the validity of all Bt100 one-day passes bought on New Year’s Eve until 6am on New Year’s Day.

The BTS will join forces with the Thailand Protestant Churches Coordinating Committee to organise “Christmas on the BTS Skytrain”, featuring carol singing by students from various Christian schools and churches. Choirs will entertain passengers on trains on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3pm to midnight.