Aside from Thailand being famous for its cuisine and friendly folks, its capital Bangkok is synonymous for shopping. So when the annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale returned earlier this year, it promised conspicuous consumption across many malls and brands. The three-and-a-half-month shopping extravaganza started from 15 June till the end of this month. Bangkok’s most popular shopping districts like Ratchaprasong and Siam have been decked up to entice shoppers everywhere. Malls like Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and Gaysorn are geared up to woo families, hipsters, kids from across the world.
Mr Thawatchai Arunuyik from Tourism Authority of Thailand beams, “Now that the world knows that it’s “business as usual” here in Thailand, they will be looking forward to coming back and taking advantage of the kingdom’s wonderful shopping. So we are opening our arms to tourists from all over the world to come here and lose themselves in a shopping paradise.”
VISA Rewards You
And if you have a VISA credit card, things get bumped up a whole lot more, turning your shopping experience into a rewarding experience via further discounts and exclusive gifts. Take for example at The Emporium and Siam Paragon: when you charge 5,000 baht or more to your VISA credit card, you’ll get a handmade silk neck tie. Over at Central Silom Complex and Zen Department Store, you simply have to spend 25,000 baht or more to receive at limited Benetton overnight bag valued at 3,290 baht. Even some hotels are throwing in the carrot, case in point Grand Alpine hotel: it is offering 10 per cent off best available rate for accommodation and 10 per cent off food and beverage including alcohol, simply by using your VISA credit card. But these discounts and exclusive gives are not just limited to the Thai capital. One can enjoy a huge selection of discounts and special “sale” items across its other provinces such as Chiang Mai, Samui, Phuket Huahin, Hadyai and Pattaya. To check out the details visit www.visa.co.th.
Cherry on the Pie
The newest kid on the block in Bangkok’s shoppers’ paradise is the newly launched Central Embassy located at 546/4 Phloenchit, Lumphini, Pathum Wan. The closest BTS train station is Ploenchit so getting there is a breeze. The building took seven years to develop and build and now offers an area of 144,000 square meters of retail space. The interior of the building demonstrates the combination of linear and organic curves that frame the atrium views especially when one looks up from the ground floor. Its design is based on the shape of the “infinity” symbol and offers a staggering 37 floors where the eight-storey shopping centre (retail podium) links up with the Tower that houses Park Hyatt hotel. Another unique architectural feature is how the entire building has 300,000 aluminium shingles that clad the building. Therefore, when the sun shines on the building, the facade flaunts shades of different silver-grey “sequins” that is akin to the surface of Thailand’s famous silk.
Shop Till You Drop
For shoppers to indulge, Central Embassy offers more than 200 luxury brands such as BCBG Max Azria, Christian Louboutin, Givenvchy, Jil sander, John Varvatos, Maison Martin Margiela, Mulberry, Paul Smith to name a few. The first floor packs in top-notch brand such as Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Miu Miu, Prada and Ralph Lauren that sprawl across two-storey duplexes.
The top floor of Central Embassy houses a cinema complex where digital booths sporting LCD screens help to automate the process of ticket buying. The cinema screens the latest Hollywood blockbusters so if your legs are sore from all the shopping, a cinematic respite would help to relieve you of the foot and calf aches.
Eat Your Heart Out
For foodies, the lower ground floor of Central Embassy houses a food court called “Eathai”. The concept is based on stalls serving all the ethnic Thai food from the north, south, central, including Esan provinces in the north and south. You’ll find a bevy of stalls serving scrumptious street food such as roasted pork, beef noodle soup, braised pork, satays and the must-try oyster omelette where the crispy egg and flour texture is bound to make you go for seconds! There is also a “Talad” section celebrating the Thai culture of eating homegrown products and ingredients. Even vegetarian options are available where herb-spiked dishes and fresh vegetables are skilfully created under the deft hands of chefs who then transform them into tantalising creations. The seafood stations are also very popular where the freshest catch from the ocean are grilled, baked or stir-fried according to your instructions. If you’re more adventurous then try the Esan-Viet stall where Vietnamese-skewed cuisines meld with Thai influences and these include the famous cold-wrap vegetable and shrimp rolls, hot piping Pho soup with luscious rice noodles and grilled, bouncy pork balls that pair well with a spicy Thai dip of chillies, prawn paste and plum sauce.
Pinnacle of Pleasures
Siam Paragon’s 500,000 square feet of retail space is not to be trifled with. Housed just in front of Siam BTS station, getting there is so convenient. The commodious retail complex houses leading Thailand and international brands from around the world. There are more than 250 stores to meet the needs of shoppers everywhere. One of its main draws is the wide choice of fashion jewellery and watches, beauty centres, restaurants and entertainment options. The Paragon department store offers a dizzying array of good eats and retail propositions. It is also home to the arts and culture of Thailand. Siam Ocean World – the first aquarium in the centre of the city promises fun and education for families everywhere. Foodies will adore the basement level that houses a gigantic supermarket stocked up with tasty Thai treats, fresh fruit and food and plenty of eating-out options serving cuisines from around the world.
Premium Shopping
Gaysorn Plaza is synonymous with luxury as it is positioned to be a retail complex focusing on high-end designer brands and labels. Close-by to BTS Chitlom station and opposite the famous Four-faced Buddha, this contemporary retail complex is nothing short of cool and chic. There is also a direct access to the mall via the skywalk leading out from the BTS station. Shoppers will find some of the world’s well-loved brands like Louis Vuitton, Emilio Pucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Prada, Hugo Boss to name a few. Favourite scent stores include venerable Italian brand Culti which stocks its famous scented candles and diffusers while homegrown label Pan Puri offers plenty of tantalising choices catered for olfactory pampering, and these include soaps, oil diffusers, scented candles and more. Not to me missed are also the fashion stores of Thailand’s most innovative designers such as Fly Now, Senada Theory, Closet Red Carpet and Disaya.
Even UK designer bag brand Bracher Emden has finally made its presence felt in the Thai capital. It is famous for its alluring eye-catching bags that fuse art-deco styles with futuristic details. Bracher Emden has done catwalk collaborations with Bibhu Mohapatra at New York Fashion Week, and Bora Asku and Emerson at London Fashion Week. His breath-taking custom pieces have also become collector’s pieces. And once the shopping is completed, Gaysorn Plaza provides the much needed respite to have a meal at the mall’s cafes and restaurants that serve boutique coffee, cakes, local cuisine or an indulgent European repast.
Bangkok has always something to surprise tourists everywhere. Central Embassy’s retail, culinary and entertainment attractions are definite must-dos when visiting the capital. And with VISA dangling carrots for shoppers, the city just got more exciting. Siam Paragon and Gaysorn Plaza do their best to provide a shopping experience you cannot replicate elsewhere. With the city’s dedicated service staff that smile a lot and do their very best to make you feel welcomed, shopping in Thailand is every bit welcoming and pampering.
About the Writer
Having been in the publishing industry for 14 years, Joseph Lim has held editor roles at Singapore Tatler and Wine & Dine. He brings his depth of knowledge to Superadrianme.com on topics such as food, luxury, men's health, interiors, consumer technology, travel, watches, men's fashion, weddings, cars, to name a few. In his free time, he prefers to entertain at home or flits within the region for some bucolic escapades.
Pingback: Thailand Sale 2013 | Thai-Iceland