On the eve of the New Year holidays, we continue a series of reviews on the most popular tourist destinations in terms of shopping.
Today we will talk about a dozen of the most modern shopping centers in Thailand, and more specifically, its three most popular points of attraction: Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket.
Siam Paragon is the third largest and first-rate megamall in the capital of Thailand. The total area of the 10-level shopping center is about 400,000 square meters. About 50 000 sq. m. Falls on the flagship department store Paragon Department Store, and another 40 000 sq. m. on the shopping gallery, where you can find cheap clothes and luxury cars. Some areas are occupied by galleries with traditional Thai goods. The highlight of the Siam Paragon is the large aquarium, as well as the 15-hall multiplex and Thai art gallery.
Central World (550,000 square meters) boasts the status of one of the 15 largest shopping centers in the world. More than 500 shops, restaurants, and services are open to the sales area of 187,000 sq. m. Over the 17 years of operation, Central World experienced a major arson and several renovations, the last of which ended in September 2018. Among the tenants of the mall are the country’s largest department stores, Isetan and Zen Mega Store, as well as a 15-hall premium-class cinema, a supermarket with fresh local products, children’s amusement parks, an ice rink, and a new conceptual space with cafes and restaurants.
emQuartier is one of Bangkok’s new shopping complexes (opened in 2015), featuring futuristic architecture and a unique tenant pool. At the lower levels of the mall, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, and Gucci stores are open; the upper floors are occupied by mass-market stores led by Zara, H & M, Uniqlo, and Gap, as well as interesting local designer brands and multi-brand galleries. Designed as a spiral path, the special gallery unites 50 restaurant concepts, and The Waterfall Quartier, one of the most popular places in the city, is located in the central atrium.
Central Plaza Westgate, opened in 2015, is another super-regional mall on the Bangkok shopping center market with a total area of more than 400,000 square meters. Megamall in the north-west of the capital of Thailand combines more than 700 shops and restaurants, a modern fitness club, and a cinema. The six-story shopping center is connected by a junction with the current IKEA store, with an area of more than 50,000 square meters.
Central Festival Shopping Mall is the main point of attraction for anyone looking for quality shopping in Pattaya. The shopping center is located on the seafront and gives visitors a great view of Pattaya Bay thanks to its modern design and panoramic windows. The mall combines international brand stores, including Calvin Klein, French Connection, Armani Exchange, and stores of the best local designers. The Central Festival Square has restaurants of all major international concepts (including food halls and a-la-carte restaurants), as well as opportunities for all-weather recreation, including bowling, children’s entertainment centers, and a cinema.
The 4-story Royal Garden Plaza mall, known for its characteristic facade with a light engine on the roof, is home to many international brands and the main entertainment venue in the city. Here is the famous Ripley Museum “Believe it or not?”, A wax museum, a haunted house, a 4D cinema, and an endless labyrinth. Modern food courts include modern concepts with dishes from around the world, and Food Waves’s open-air balcony offers stunning panoramic views of Pattaya Bay.
The futuristic Mike Shopping Mall contrasts strongly with other shopping centers in Pattaya on the composition of tenants. The 7-story mall is more like a giant covered market with the ability to search for authentic goods. Hundreds of tents and kiosks sell beachwear, shoes, and accessories, as well as traditional products from local manufacturers and Thai souvenirs. Here you can find electronics and household goods at attractive prices. Unlike classic shopping centers, you can bargain in Mike Shopping Mall all and easily beat down the price by 15-20%. Food Court presents democratic concepts of Asian cuisine.
Jungceylon Mall, named after the historic name of Phuket, is located on one of the most popular beaches, Patong. With a total area of about 200,000 square meters, the mall boasts a huge Robinson department store, a Big C Extra grocery store, a five-hall cinema, a bowling center, electronics and lifestyle stores, and a modern restaurant area with concepts of inexpensive Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cuisine. The fashion gallery has Banana Republic, Coach, Under Armor, Quiksilver, and many Asian brands.
Megamall Central Phuket is part of the largest mixed-use development project in the province of Phuket. The shopping center consists of two buildings connected by a covered walkway—the famous Central Festival and the new Central Floresta. On the four floors of the complex, the best on the coast fashion gallery with global brands (from Promod and Crocs to DNKY and Diesel), electronics stores, and local delicacies are open. The company they are the “Tales of Thailand” with a floating market, an adventure park, and an aquarium. There are several affordable food courts in Central Phuket, as well as high-class restaurants.
Premium Outlet Phuket is the first professional outlet with stores of lifestyle brands and world sports manufacturers, as well as stores of goods for children. Among the tenants are Levi’s, Lee, Nautica, and Adidas, as well as Warner Bros. brand shops, Lacoste stores, Tha Chang Shop souvenirs, traditional Thai goods stores, and, of course, the luxury brand galleries (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cerutti, etc.). The outlet presents about 200 brands (90% of which are international) with regular discounts of up to 70%.
