Siam Square Shopping Area of Bangkok

This is the major shopping area of Bangkok. It is very popular with tourists and Thais, particularly young, fashion-conscious Thai girls. The area started to develop around Siam Square in the late sixties when Chulalongkorn University utilized its land bank adjacent to the university.

Since then, it has continued to progress with new shopping centers being built even now. Starting from the Pathumwan junction it stretches all the way to Wireless Road.

The original development, Siam Square, is particularly popular with university students and young Thai?s who have just started their business careers. There is a well-used phrase on mobile phone calls ?Meet you at Siam?. Opposite Siam Square is Siam Center which was the first western-style air-conditioned shopping complex in Thailand. Now this area has many other shopping complexes.

The next section in this area is around the Ratchadamri and Ratchaprasong intersection where there are a selection of 5-star hotels and major shopping complexes catering for the more up-market shoppers. Many of the world?s leading fashion designers have boutiques in this locale.

The Central World Plaza is the largest complex in this area and the site for Bangkok?s New Year Countdown celebrations. During the cooler months of November to January, the major breweries sponsor the setting up of beer gardens on the plaza in front. The last point on this Fashion City map is Central Chidlom, another upmarket department store. This is at the Chidlom and Lang Suan intersection. Soi Lang Suan has many condominiums and a variety of restaurants and bars catering to the more affluent members of society.

How to get there: Skytrain to Siam or Chidlom Stations
Bus routes 2, 15, 16, 21, 25, 29, 34, 40, 45, 47, 50, 54, 73, 79, 93, 141, 163, 204, 508, 511, 513

Central World

Bangkok's largest downtown mall, the Central World contains many trendy shops and is where Bangkok's most stylish youths can be found.

The flagship department stores are Zen and Isetan, but the core is a labyrinth of shops, restaurants and entertainment, including cinemas and an ice-skating rink.

Located on the seventh floor is the Thailand Duty Free Shop, which is the only government-operated, downtown duty-free shop in the country. Step into Central World in the morning and you will not see the sun for the rest of the day!