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BANGKOK
Bazaar Bliss
By Ana Kalaw
Bangkok’s gastronomic
delights, buzz-worthy nightlife
and the creative energy that
flows freely through its streets
are all worth mentioning, but
it’s really the shopping that
keeps bringing me back to the
city. The stylist and fashion follower
in me appreciates the chic and trendy
feel of the local shopping experience
above all others. Plus, I also love
how Bangkok’s youth can effortlessly
translate what’s in their retail hubs into
stylish street ensembles.
Why shop here:
Bangkok offers
shopping that is as colorful and
affordable as its street cuisine. The city
does have its share of luxury malls and
top-tier designer brands, but it’s the
spread of fashion markets, bazaars and
wholesale shopping malls that makes
Bangkok such a haven for stylistas and
bargain hunters. Shopping in Bangkok
has probably ruined me for shopping
anywhere else. The clothes in the city’s
markets are as chic, trendy and nearly
of the same quality as those from
popular high-street shops — all at a
third of the price.
PHOTOS
LESTER LEDESMA, ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT
The bonus:
Contemporary Thai
design is also a good reason to shop
in Bangkok. It’s inspiring to see what
young Thai designers are coming up
with: pieces that mix European cool
with Asian details and silhouettes.
Don’t miss:
Chatuchak (Jatukak, or
monikered JJ by the locals) is one
of the biggest outdoor markets in the
world, with about half of its 35 acres
dedicated to clothing and accessories.
Here you have stalls that sell trendy,
just-off-the-catwalk pieces, alongside
stalls that ply the more traditional
sarongs and Thai fisherman pants.
Further along you’ll come across an
entire section just for beachwear. Best
buys include soft, basic cotton tees for
THB100 (PHP135), funky footwear
for THB600 (PHP810), and candles
or diffusers in different scents for
THB120 (less than PHP160). The
Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam is
easily the best wholesale fashion mall
in the city. Don’t be put off by the word
“
wholesale”; usually buying two or
three pieces in one stall already makes
you eligible for the lower price. There’s
also Asiatique, the city’s newest night
bazaar where most of the merchants
from the popular Suam Lum Night
Market have migrated. Built right on
the banks of the historic Chao Phraya
River, Asiatique attracts tourists and
young Thais who want to indulge in
affordable shopping.
Tip:
Proper planning helps keep you
from getting overwhelmed by the sheer
size and variety of the markets. Don’t
hesitate to consult maps or ask for help
from information counters.
Cebu Pacific flies to Bangkok from
Manila, Cebu and Clark.
Clockwise from bottom left: You can find all
sorts of things to buy at Chatuchak Market;
Asiatique The Riverfront offers a wide range
of affordable items
