Tourism and Leisure In Thailand

Most notable spots in Bangkok

Places not to be missed:
• Khao San Rd. – the Mecca for backpackers and a great tourist spot
• Suan Lum Night Bazaar (shopping, dining, and entertainment) – Partly Closed Down
• Rama I, Ploenchit, Sukhumvit Rd – the uptown area of modern Bangkok
• Notorious red-light districts: Patpong Rd, Nana Entertainment Plaza, Soi Cowboy
• Shopping Paradise: MBK Center, Siam Square, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, and CentralWorld Complex. Other malls worth noticing in this partial listing are: The Emporium, Gaysorn Plaza, Platinum Fashion Mall, and several branches of Central and Robinson department stores dispersed throughout the Big Mango.

MBK Center

MBK Center was built in 1985, and till recently (before Siam Paragon), it has been the largest shopping center in Bangkok. You won't get bored there, even if you are not a die-hard shopaholic. An enormous (eight stories high and 330 meters long) marble shopping mall houses over 2,500 shops, more than 150 eateries, and numerous restaurants... [MORE]

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Siam Center

Siam Center - the "Center of Fun" was built in 1973 - one of Bangkok's first shopping malls. It houses some 120 trendy shops predominately designated for the younger generation and a couple of dozen boutiques of trend-setting local designers. It has undergone several renovations, and the latest one features the concept of a "Magical Glass Box" and gives the four-story mall a refurbished food court. Siam Center markets itself as a "fashion center" for teenagers. There you can find clothes, silk and leather goods, fashion and accessories, beauty salons... [MORE]

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Siam Discovery Center

Siam Discovery Center is opposite to MBK, not only by its location – just across MBK Center (bridged by the BTS Skytrain National Stadium station), but primarily because it catered to well-heeled customers. Built in 1997, six stories of excellent and trendy boutiques include stylish brands such as DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger.

Siam Discovery Center has a reputation as a complex of Big Name Shops: Donna Karen, Calvin Klein, Elle, Guy Larouche, and Guess, along with some excellent home decoration stores. If you are into home accessories, you can find beautiful pieces on the 3rd and 4th floors at All Living, Habitat, and Propaganda for vintage items. Not to miss on the 2nd floor is a warehouse Loft, a famous Japanese gift shop. On the 6th floor is Grand EGV, the biggest luxurious movie theater. The prominent Tower Records for music lovers and Asia Books for people looking for a good read are also there. A noticeable spot for a short rest to recharge your batteries is a Starbucks coffeehouse on the 1st floor, sited half inside half outside.

Tip: You can get a discount card at the information desk on the ground floor.

Inside Siam Discovery Center

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Siam Paragon – The Pride of Bangkok

Siam Paragon – the enormous upscale shopping mall and entertainment center was built for US$ 375 million and opened in December 2005, a true paradise of luxury and elegance. Since its launch, the complex has attracted large crowds of upper-class Thais, expats, and tourists alike. It houses a variety of world-class international labels and flagship stores of the most prestigious high-end brands, chic apparel, cutting-edge fashion and beauty products, decorations, handicrafts, luxurious lifestyle products, the greatest and finest jewelry... [MORE]

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Siam Square

Siam Square is one of the deep-rooted, long-standing (since 1965), and favorite shopping and entertainment spots in Bangkok especially among teenagers. There is a wide range of shops and services within Siam Square itself, including tutor schools, trendy restaurants, cafes, designer clothing outlets, a myriad of fashion boutiques, records, and photo stores, bookshops, and the Hard Rock Cafe highly regarded by Thais and foreigners alike... [MORE]

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Central World Plaza

Central World Plaza (former World Trade Center) and newly branded CentralWorld has just recently been renovated and expanded. Claiming to be Asia's largest lifestyle shopping complex and venturing to attract upper-class customers with an unrivaled mix of products and services. The revamped eight-story mall promises to provide an entirely new experience of the whole day of shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreation for the entire family... [MORE]

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Khaosan Road – the Mecca for Backpackers

Khaosan – the legendary backpacker's domain and headquarters, is simply put a shopping and dining tourist heaven where a thriving community caters to every need of the budget traveler. For over 20 years this has been the base camp of choice for backpackers all over the world exploring Thailand and Southeast Asia. It's just a little wonder that everything... [MORE]

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Nightlife in Bangkok and Pattaya
An Experience of A Lifetime

Patpong – Must-Visit Spot in Bangkok

Patpong is undoubtedly the best-known and most notorious red-light spot in Bangkok. It is located between Silom and Suriwong roads in the heart of Bangkok's most prestigious commercial district. The Head Office of Bangkok Bank is just across the corner on Silom Road. The nightlife strip runs along two short lanes, Patpong I and II, with a couple of small interconnecting sois (side streets). A night market selling clothes, fake watches, and souvenirs runs down the center of Patpong I stretching out along Silom Road. Neon-lit Go-Go bars share sidewalk space with restaurants, massage parlors... [MORE]

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Nana Plaza

Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP in short) is a well-known red-light spot situated in Soi 4 (Soi Nana Tai – South Nana) off Sukhumvit Road, just across from Nana Hotel, within walking distance of the BTS Skytrain Nana station. It can be easily spotted by its bulky neon glowing sign 'Nana Entertainment Plaza'. It's one of Bangkok's most popular playgrounds for adult night entertainment. The primary theme of the place could be best described as the pursuit of drinking, dancing, and promiscuity. If you're into the scene, you'll love it there... [MORE]

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Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy is another prominent red-light district near the Asoke – Sukhumvit intersection of Bangkok. It is quite a short street with some 40 or so bars frequented mainly by Westerners, tourists, and expatriates. Pedestrians by night lane of neon lights, disco music, girls, Go-Go bars, food stalls, and an occasional elephant, that's what this place is all about. In comparison to its competitors, namely Nana Plaza and Patpong Road, it is a much more relaxing and hospitable spot for adult night entertainment, basically free of hassle and rip-off. In and around Soi Cowboy settled some modest restaurants, including the reputable Fish & Chip shop. Asok BTS (Skytrain) station and MRT (Subway) Sukhumvit station provide easy access to Soi Cowboy, which lies parallel to the Sukhumvit Road, from Soi 21 (Asoke) to Soi 23.

Soi Cowboy at Night

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Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit and its vicinity are the commercial, entertainment, and tourist center of modern Bangkok. Towards the west end, the road changes its name, first, to Ploenchit Road, and then, to Rama I Road. And it runs all the way to the east cutting across the city border. Even and uneven sois (side-streets) are on opposite north and south sides of the road. Even thougharteries, driving it is one of Bangkok's main arteries, driving the Sukhumvit way is a real hassle, as the road is constantly packed with heavy traffic day and night. The Skytrain runs along Sukhumvit Road... [MORE]

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Suan Lum Night Bazaar

Suan Lum Night Bazaar Ferris Wheel


Joe Louis Puppet Theatre






Suan Lum Night Bazaar

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To be continued...

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