Chatuchak Market & Sunday Mall Hopping (Day 4)

After a disastrous 3rd day, we were hoping that a Sunday retail shopping therapy would give us redemption.  Around 10 am, we made our way to Chatuchak Market, Asia's biggest flea market.  With more than 8,000 stalls, it is not possible for you to cover everything in a day.  It can get very crowded, confusing, noisy, smelly and sweaty.  Also, the heat is brutal especially around noon.  To add to that, your chance of getting lost is high. Chatuchak offers the most variety of goods for sale that I have ever seen, however, most of the shops are open on the weekends only.  I really enjoyed my time in Chatuchak Market.  It offers something for everyone, it's rough around the edges, it abounds with eateries and food stalls, it's a sensory overload and  it's very accessible.  There are really good bargains to be had with a little bargaining skills.  If you happen to see an item you want, haggle and if you agree with the price, buy it because you probably will not be able to relocate the store once you head elsewhere.  Also, some of the stores have items that they sell exclusively.

To get here, take the Metro to Kampheng Phet Station.  You can also take the BTS to Mo Chit Station, but the Metro exit gets you to the most interesting section of the market already.

BTS Wong Wian Yai

Ganda ng Metro Terminal nila

Konti pa ang tao sa umaga

LOL!

Clock Tower at the center of the action

Map of Chatuchak

After a long day at the market, we were off to Siam Square, the main shopping district in Bangkok. We first went to the Mah Boon Krong Center, Bangkok's most popular mall.  MBK is an indoor version of Chatuchak because most of the goods selling in the latter can be found here at slightly higher prices.  It's still possible to haggle but only a little.  We also ate at the MBK Food Court at the fifth floor.  The food choices are plenty with local and Asian stalls, and cheap as well.  The place was packed, noisy and uninspiring compared to other food courts in Siam's swankier malls.  Unfortunately, I picked the wrong stall, as my Kao Pad was awful.

To get here, take the BTS to National Stadium Station which is connected to the mall.

MBK, eye catching

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Outdoor market at the foot of National Stadium

After a quick scan and merienda at MBK, we walked to nearby twin malls Siam Center and Siam Discovery. Both malls are trendy fashion outlets catering to the middle class market.  Siam Center is older and caters mostly to teens and kids, while Siam Discovery has more mature contents and is a little pricier.  The majority of items for sale are clothes, handbags and footwear.  Tenants include some popular international brands like Armani and footwear giants Adidas Originals and Nike.  A bridge at the fourth floors also connect the two malls.

Siam Center

Siam Discovery

Next up, just besides Siam Center, we went to the very upmarket Siam Paragon.  It is a very large mall that houses designer brands like Louis Vuitton & Gucci and car brands BMW & Porsche.  Also inside is a huge cineplex, a supermarket, and a basement food court.  Think of it as a much grander version of Greenbelt in Makati. Shopping in such an expensive mall, really doesn't suit my budget, but dinning in one of its fine restaurants, I can make an exception!  I forgot the name of the restaurant we ate in, but I remember that it was Thai and the food was decent albeit expensive.

Underneath Siam Paragon is one of the largest underground aquariums in Asia, Siam Ocean World.  Entrance costs 950 baht, but there are also other attractions such as Glass Bottom Boat or Ocean Walk where you have to pay an additional fee.  It's not any different from marine parks like Manila Ocean Park or the likes except that it's bigger.

Most of the malls in the Siam area are within close proximity to each other but if you want to go directly to Siam Paragon, BTS Siam Station is connected to the mall.  In my opinion, the area surrounding Siam Station is the best base for travelers to stay in because of it's accessibility to 2 BTS lines, and numerous shopping and dinning options.

Siam Paragon

Ocean World at Siam Paragon

Pag may tira ka, hulog mo sa aquarium :D (joke)

Soft shell crabs sarap!

The last mall on the list for today was Central World Plaza.  This is the largest mall in Thailand and one of the largest in the world.  Inside are mid-priced stores, a cineplex, a supermarket, a food court, a plethora of eating options, a hotel, an Isetan department store, a giant bookstore and an ice skating rink.  Among the more notable tenants of the mall are Jim Thompson Silk, Uniqlo, MOS Burger, and Naraya.  This is my favorite of all of Bangkok's malls, as it has the most interesting shops, a good layout, more flexible dinning options and a laid back ambience.  Compared to other malls in Siam, Central World offers something for a wider range of consumers.  As far as cost and quality are concerned, it'a a perfect balance of MBK and Siam Paragon.  

From Siam Paragon / Station, it's an eight minute walk via clearly signposted covered pedestrian bridge.  Chit Lom is the nearest BTS Station to Central World.

Skybridge connected to Central World

Map of Siam Square

Before packing it in, I walked around the area surrounding my hotel to look for some chow.  I found a public market nearby and some roadside food stalls.  Passed by some retail stores that were closing and a couple of convenience stores.  In the end, I settled for some street food after chatting for a while with a friendly Thai vendor.

Taksin Statue in Thonvuri