If you’re in Bangkok and going to the Pratunam area, then you’re definitely going to shop because it’s the busiest retail district of the city. The compact area is packed with shopping, accommodations, and street food. The world famous shopping area s just a 10-minute walk from Ratchathewi or Chit Lom BTS Skytrain stations, Ratchaparop Airport Link Station, or the Pratunam Khlong Saen Saeb Express Boat Pier.
If you’re looking for clothing and accessories, you can find it at one of these locations in our list of best places for shopping in Pratunam. However, not all places are equal in their offerings.
Let’s look at what’s definitely worth your time, where you might want to go, and places that are best skipped for now.
Where You Can Skip
First, we’re going to cover the places you can scratch off your list.
AEC Trade Center (Formerly Pantip Plaza)
This first one might be a surprise, and it’s Pantip Plaza, which is now the AEC Trade Center. Pantip Plaza was dedicated to IT with computers, cameras, and gadgets of all kinds to be found throughout the entire building. People would come here for hard-to-find computer accessories and camera lenses.
Now it’s a shell of its pre-pandemic self and has little to offer visitors.
Palladium World Shopping Mall
We also advise passing on Palladium World Shopping Mall. The Palladium World Shopping Mall is one of the largest in Pratunam. But now it’s a large very empty mall.
The mall has a bazaar like layout with long alleyways, now most of which are empty except for some jewelry stores on the lowest level, a smattering of shops on the ground floor, and a few massage spots on the second floor.
Beyond the second floor, even the escalators have been turned off.
B-Gallery Fashion Mall
B-Gallery Fashion Mall is short for Baiyoke Gallery Fashion Mall, which opened as a modern and spacious mall at the center of Pratunam.
Now? Forget the shops, the mall is 5 storeys of clothing haphazardly lining the corridors.
But do come here if you want a photo with Marilyn Monroe or in an English phone booth.
Where To Go
Now that we have those out of the way let’s look at where you should go to shop in Pratunam. We’ve ranked these with the absolute can’t miss being position #1.
Indra Square Mall
Starting off our list of places you should go to we have Indra Square Mall. The Indra Square Mall is a good place to go for souvenirs and clothing at cheap prices.
You’ll find most of the shoppers here are Thais who buy wholesale and resell at their shops elsewhere in the city.
Krung Thong Plaza
Coming in at #3 of best places to shop in Pratunam is Krung Thong Plaza.
Krung Thong Plaza is a goldmine for cheap and quirky clothing. Inside you’ll find what can only be described as a mishmash of shops selling bright fabrics, shirts, and oversized clothing.
Come here for funky hats, sunglasses, and jewelry, plus the prices here are low, very low.
The last two spots of best Pratunam shopping locations are nearly tied. There could be a case made for both at each position.
Platinum Fashion Mall
We put Platinum Fashion Mall at #2 because it’s a shopping mall. Platinum Fashion Mall is a clothing and accessories megamall. Inside you’ll find over 1,000 tightly packed shops occupying a 4 storey complex.
Platinum Fashion Mall is incredibly popular with locals and tourists because of the wholesale prices. Buying in quantities of 3 or more will net you greater discounts.
Pratunam Market
The top spot on our list goes to Pratunam Market.
Pratunam Market just barely edged out Platinum Fashion Mall because it’s not a mall and offers the whole market shopping experience. Additionally, it holds the position of Thailand’s largest clothing market.
Here you can explore the alleys and packed small streets to find yourself in a maze of clothes and accessories. Prices are very low, and pieces can be bought individually or in bulk.
The Rest
Lastly, there are a few places that don’t quite fit into either category. These few spots can be attractive to shoppers, but could offer more, and have in the past.
Shibuya 19
First on our maybe list is Shibuya 19 Tokyo has Shibuya 109 and Bangkok has Shibuya 19.
In case you’re wondering, the 19 comes from the mall’s location on Phetchaburi soi 19.
Shibuya Pratunam Shopping Mall, or Shibuya 19, is a 6 storey complex selling trendy clothes at discount prices. Vendor stalls here are loosely arranged around general themes such as fashion, bags, and shoes.
The first couple of floors are full of shops selling women’s fashions with a shop or two for men’s fashion. But, as you go up the shopping options diminish.
City Complex Pratunam
Next, we have City Complex Pratunam
City Complex Pratunam is 6 floors of clothes, shoes, fabrics, and accessories for women. But there’s a handful of t-shirt and jeans stores for men. In here you’ll find rows and rows of clothes on the first couple floors but don’t expect to find much more above level 3.
Baiyoke Tower Garment Centre
Lastly, we have the Baiyoke Tower Garment Centre
If you’re visiting the Baiyoke Tower or staying at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, then it might be worth a visit for some bargain hunting. Prices are cheap here and there’s a good variety for both younger and older women to find clothing. But just like the others on this list, going beyond the 2nd floor can be disappointing.
Ready To Shop At Pratunam?
That concludes our review of places to shop at, consider, and skip in Pratunam.We wish you good bargain hunting.
