Shopping


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