Introduction to Bangkok

As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is Thailand’s administrative, economic and cultural center. Situated in the central plains of Thailand, Bangkok has is also a major commercial and transportation hub for Southeast Asia. Attracting more than 20 million tourists annually, Bangkok is one of the world's biggest tourism destinations.

Demographics

Bangkok is a vibrant city of over 12 million people, and the most populous city in Thailand. Much of the daytime population commutes from surrounding areas, bringing the total population to 15 million during the day. Bangkok is also a cosmopolitan city, home to people from around the world.

Top Five Shopping Districts

1. Siam Square: As the center of shopping in Bangkok, Siam Square and the surrounding area are home to popular shopping centers such as MBK Center, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Center and Siam Paragon. Siam Square also offers a range of restaurants and services, attracting local and tourist shoppers.
2. Asiatique the Riverfront: This once-busy international trade port has been transformed into one of the best visiting areas for tourists, and it has successfully combined two popular shopping experiences in Bangkok: a night bazaar and shopping mall. Just ten minutes by river taxi from Saphan Taksin skytrain station, the huge replica warehouse complex features over 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants.
3. Pantip Plaza: The mother of all IT shops in Thailand, the plaza is the place to find new and used computers and accessories.
4. Chatuchak Market: Thailand’s biggest market and Asia’s largest weekend market, Chatuchak is a must-visit place for tourists. Its over 8,000 market stalls feature a diverse collection of merchandise. On a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here in search of deals.
5. Rot Fai Night Market: The open-air bazaar sells vintage collectibles and memorabilia. Rot Fai Market (“Train Market”) includes three main zones: The “Market Zone,” the “Warehouse Zone” and “Rod’s Antiques.” The variety of vintage merchandise (from all over the world) and street food make Rot Fai one of the most popular night markets in Bangkok.

Famous Retail Events

RetailEX ASEAN: RetailEX ASEAN is the region’s largest multi-channel and retail e-commerce event, catering to brands, retailers and marketplaces in ASEAN. With four main zones, RetailEX ASEAN is the place for retailers to find solutions to build your store and integrate it with your online experience.

Top Innovative Retailers

SIWILAI [caption id="attachment_93236" align="alignright" width="388"] Source: http://www.siwilaibkk.co[/caption] SIWILAI is a Thai retail concept store located in the Central Embassy lifestyle complex. The store houses vintage records, books, magazines as well as fashion. SIWILAI is a rough transliteration of the English word “civilized” in the Thai alphabet. Inspired by self-expression and its connotations of progress and development, it alludes to SIWILAI’s physical platform of curated goods, services and experiences that stimulate growth and exchange of new ideas. SIWILAI combines culture, commerce, and international trends in local contexts. It integrates with contemporary culture while firmly maintaining its Thai roots, which makes the shopping experience unique. Location: Level 5, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330. Objects of Desire Store (ODS) [caption id="attachment_93237" align="alignright" width="455"] Source: www.instagram.com[/caption] ODS features products from a variety of talented Thai designers. Visit the store for its furniture, home décor, spa products and more. The store features space for organizing workshops, and customers can custom-design products, including light bulbs, soap bars or candles. The store also includes Isaan Objects, a zone that collects fashion and accessory products from popular Thai fashion brands and takes its name from a far northeastern province in Thailand, such as Atelier Pichita, Ayodhya by M.L. Pavinee Santisiri and FOUND by Trimode. Location: Objects of Desire Store (O.D.S), 3/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok 10330. Another Story [caption id="attachment_93238" align="alignright" width="297"] Source: www.facebook.com/pg/AnotherStoryOfficial[/caption] Another Story creates a new shopping experience while also offering affordable brands and designers, including furniture and décor. Another Story gathers like-minded Thai and international designers, in addition to creating its own designs. Location: 49 Ramkhamhaeng Road, Bangkok 10240.         The Vintage Store [caption id="attachment_93239" align="alignright" width="323"] Source: www.facebook.com/pg/TheVintageStore/[/caption] The Vintage Store is best known for its highly covetable and valuable vintage pieces. Visitors will find a huge collection of certified pre-owned, vintage designer and collectible pieces including high-end designer handbags, costume jewelry, heels and accessories. Featured brands include Chanel, Hermès, YSL, Christian Dior, Celine, Emilio Pucci and many more. The Vintage Store also has a branch in Central Embassy. Location: The Vintage Store, Eight Thonglor, Bangkok 10110.   Gloc [caption id="attachment_93240" align="alignright" width="302"] Source: www.instagram.com/glocglocgloc[/caption] Gloc is an alternative multi-brand store that sells both online and offline, gathering local brands and imported hard-to-find labels from around the world. There is a range of products, including womenswear, menswear, beauty products, stationery and housewares. Staying true to its minimalist essence, the concept store emphasizes simplicity and creative twists. Location: Gloc, Soi Ari 2, Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400.     Terminal 21 mall [caption id="attachment_93241" align="alignright" width="309"] Source: https://www.terminal21.co.th/[/caption] Terminal 21 is a multi-purpose destination featuring movie theaters, family activities such as aquariums and playgrounds for kids. With each floor resembling a different global city, Terminal 21 offers a unique experience, located near the Sukhumvit skytrain station. Location: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok 10110.   ROOM [caption id="attachment_93242" align="alignright" width="387"] Source: www.facebook.com/roomconceptstore[/caption] ROOM curates a wide range of design products and designer items to offer a range of products consisting of international and Thai labels, featuring furniture. ROOM also has a wide range of design products such as décor, objets d’art, stationery, IT gadgets and fashion. Location: 3F, Siam Discovery Rama I Road, Bangkok 10330.     Live Like Hound by Greyhound [caption id="attachment_93243" align="alignright" width="390"] Source: http://www.greyhound.co.th[/caption] Founded in Bangkok in 1989 by four friends with no formal training in fashion or food, Greyhound is known for its unique creativity. The store at Siam Paragon has a new concept of adding selected products from Thai designers to the selection of in-house fashion lines. Live Like Hound is designed like a decorated apartment: visitors find the Greyhound collection displayed as a walk-in closet in the bedroom, ceramics from Cone No. 9 in the kitchen, and Erb beauty products in the bathroom. The store also includes special collections such as Vintage Remixed, which mixes rare vintage tees to create trendy ones, as well as other Thai designer brands such as Isawan, Carletta, Pana Object and A. Palepetal. Location: 1/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok 10330.   Matchbox Pinkplanter [caption id="attachment_93244" align="alignright" width="338"] Source: www.instagram.com[/caption] Multi-label streetwear store Matchbox Pinkplanter resides in an all-pink, three-story shophouse. Matchbox Pinkplanter offers a wide range of affordable Thai designer pieces from local brands. The first floor has a collection of daily wear from brands such as Sugary, Strip&Tie, Chamnii, Ethereal and Humming Tree. The second-floor features cosmetics and beauty items. Matchbox Pinkplanter also offers a place to rest, eat and take photos. Visit the third floor for snacks and coffee. Location: Matchbox Pinkplanter, Siam Square Soi 7, Bangkok 10330.   Sretsis Flagship (Central Embassy) [caption id="attachment_93245" align="alignright" width="332"] Source: www.sretsis.com[/caption] Sretsis focuses on womenswear, and was established in 2002 for free-spirited women with a touch of rebellious youth and modern sophistication. Today, it's one of the country's leading brands, best known for designs with adventurous, hippie and street fashion adaptations. The Sretsis flagship store was designed by combining a library and a cabinet with the core value “good clothes are just like good books, which are created to stand the taste of time. “ Location:  Sretsis, 2/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit, Bangkok 10330. Must-See Street: Sukhumvit Soi 55 Sukhumvit Soi 55 is in the central area of Thonglor, a busy area famous for night life, bars and restaurants.

1. The Commons: Located at Thonglor Soi 17, the Commons is a multi-section mall filled with cafes and restaurants. The area is divided into four sections: Market, Village, Play Yard and Top Yard.
2. J Avenue: Offers a supermarket, a fitness center, banking services, health and beauty stores and also cafés and restaurants – and a large base of customers from Japan.
3. Seenspace: Seenspace is a multi-function lifestyle mall featuring international restaurants and fashion clothing stores.
4. Statement: The shop focuses on clothing for women, with items available for various settings and situations, but all tied together with a working woman theme.
5. Eight Thonglor: With more than 40 shops ranging from a boulangerie to a hip bar, yoga studio and beauty therapist, Eight Thonglor provides niche products a place to meet their customers.