Siam Paragon

Siam Paragonserves as its slogan "the Pride of Bangkok" goes. Located in the heart of Bangkok, Siam Paragon is the fist mega shopping complexin Thailand, offering a magnificent and elegant shopping experience as it houses various world-class international brands and flagship stores of the most prestigious hi-end brands; truly a shopping paradise for brand name lovers. Shop 'til you drop and explore our 10 facets of luxury, beauty, sports, hi-tech communications, lifestyle and dining. Don't forget to visit Paragon Department Store where all the best of everything are waiting for you—all under one roof. Enjoy a gastronomic delight with the finest international cuisines from the best restaurants in town gathered at Siam Paragon for your utmost pleasure; or visit Gourmet Market and select the freshest and foremost ingredients from every corner of the world that will make your home cooking a fantastic meal. Indulge all your senses with 21-screen Paragon Cineplex, Krungsri IMAX theatre, Nokia Ultra screens and Enigma, the motion picture grandeur like none other. Give your children valuable knowledge with various extra lessons from famous institutions in our Facet of Edutainment. Get fit and firm at 6-star California Fitness and spend quality time with your family and learn more about marine life in its own environment at Siam Ocean World.Apart from superb goods and exceptionally diversified services, prepare to enter the realm of absolute gratification and divine mega entertainment as Siam Paragon will soon unveil Siam Opera, the latest grand theatre of Thailand, as well as a five-star hotel and serviced apartment. Experience all these and more only @ Siam Paragon.

Address:
991/1 Rama 1 Road
Pathumwan Bangkok 10330
Tel. 0-2690-1000
Opening hour:
Daily 10.00am. -10.00 pm.
Restaurant on Gf open until 11.00pm

Siam Ocean World

A new attractions in downtown Bangkok. Open in December 2005, Siam Ocean World will be the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. With world-standard exhibits and features, the aqaruim comprises a 270-degree acrylic under ocean tunnel, a panoramic oceanarium with a 360-degree view through a 10.5 metre diametre fishbowl, an 8-metre deep reef tank and a rainforest display. More than 400 species or 30,000 marine animals including Penguins, Blue Ring Octopus, Gray Nurse Sharks, Elephant Nose Sharks, Leafy Sea Dragons and Giant Spider Crab can be seen.

open : daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission : 450 bah for adults and 280 baht fro children (80-120 cm.).
How to get there : one can take a BTS sky train and get off at Siam Station.
Contact : Siam Ocean World Tel: 0 2687 2000 Fax: 0 2687 2001
Website : www.siamoceanworld.com

Phahurat Indian Market

This is the place to come to buy fabrics and to enjoy Indian cuisine. Phahurat Market is a small Indian community on the fringe of Chinatown. Most of the merchants are Indian Sikhs who are involved in the textile trade.

They have a unique way of greeting female shoppers, calling each one Khunying which is a Thai royal title similar to the English Lady. Their selection of fabrics is the best in Bangkok, particularly the Indian cottons and silk.

There are many vendors selling ready made goods including shoulder bags which are at unbelievable low prices.

The Indian community in Thailand shops here for the essential wedding gowns and wedding souvenirs.

In every nook and cranny there is someone doing business. This may be selling trinkets, tour packages to India, household items, spices and delicious Indian desserts.

Wander off the main streets and into the many alleyways, you could come across surprisingly good Indian food.

The Thai Sikh community has a major temple, Siri Guru Singh Sabha close to the Phahurat area.

How to get there : Bus routes 7,25,40, 53, 56, 507

Shopping Street - Siam Square to Chidlom Bangkoks Fashion City

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 Thais 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 worlds leading fashion designers have boutiques in this locale.

The Central World Plaza is the largest complex in this area and the site for Bangkoks 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

Chatuchak Weekend Market

This is paradise for bargain hunters. Every Saturday and Sunday, 9,000 individual booths are open selling an infinite variety of goods.

It is just about impossible to go to Chatuchak Weekend Market and not buy anything. There is just about everything that bargain hunters, home makers, pet lovers or just browsers can imagine.

Handicrafts are every where including pottery, hand-made glass models of the Royal Barges, fluffy toys, colourful tropical fish, singing birds puppies of many breeds, furniture and lots of new and second hand clothing, shoes, handbags, belts. There is so much on offer that even international home decor wholesales come here to shop.

Music lovers can find unique traditional Thai musical instruments being sold direct by the artisans who have crafted them to make the pleasing sounds.

One rule for all shoppers to observe is bargain, bargain, bargain. This is part of the fun and also gets you the best prices.

Chatuchak Weekend Market has interesting products from all over Thailand as well as things from far off lands.

You should allow the best part of a whole day to explore the many stalls. You never know what you will find. But this is work that will make you thirsty and puckish, so take a break here and there to cool off with a fresh fruit juice or feast on delicious Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, barbecue chicken, noodles and sweets.

How to get there : BTS Skytrain to Mochit Station or Metro to Kamphaeng Phet Station
Bus Routes 3, 26, 27, 29, 34, 59, 77, 96, 112, 134, 136, 138, 145, 502, 503, 510, 512, 513
Open : Saturday and Sunday
Admission : Free

Pratunam

Pratunam is one of the older shopping areas in Bangkok that has a highly-deserved reputation among bargain shoppers.

Passing through the area, you will see many shops on the main roads. But the real activity is in the market hidden behind the stalls and shops. Here youll find a huge variety of low cost clothes, fashion accessories, shoes, watches, electronic gadgets and all sorts of souvenirs. It is usually very congested as there are many eager shoppers looking for their bargains.

Pratunam is the location for Thailand's tallest building, the Baiyok Tower. This is the major wholesale center for the garment trade. It is very popular with minor and major international traders, particularly those from Africa. There is even an African restaurant nearby.

Bargain hunters looking for good deals on computers, accessories and software flock to Pantip Plaza, which is now known throughout the world for its low prices.

How to get there : Bus routes 2, 11, 23, 60, 62, 72, 93, 140, 511, 512

Chinatown (Yaowaraj)

China Town The largest outside of China Chinatown is a bustling, crowded area where you can buy just about anything day or night.

The main thoroughfare through Chinatown is Yaowarat Road, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length. It was built during the reign of King Rama V. On each side of the road, there is a network of streets and alleys lined with shops selling all sorts of things. In many of these streets, you'll find shops side by side selling the same items.

There is an old fresh food market called Trok Isarnuphap where leading chefs from all over Bangkok shop for the finest and freshest ingredients for their restaurant menus.The largest outside of ChinaChinatown is a bustling, crowded area where you can buy just about anything day or night.
The main thoroughfare through Chinatown is Yaowarat Road, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres in length. It was built during the reign of King Rama V. On each side of the road, there is a network of streets and alleys lined with shops selling all sorts of things. In many of these streets youll find shops side by side selling the same items.

There is an old fresh food market called Trok Isarnuphap where leading chefs from all over Bangkok shop for the finest and freshest ingredients for their restaurant menus.A visit at night will take you to a food street where you sit on stools watching your meal being prepared, then enjoying the delicious cuisine washed down by tea or a cold beer.

How to get there : Subway to Hua Lamphong station

Bus routes 1, 4, 7, 25, 53, 501