Reputable for its cheap food, shopping and massages, Bangkok is always flooded with tourists all year round! My 5 days 4 nights trip has definitely made my tummy growling in joy. Despite the unbelievable amount of shopping that I have done, my spending totalled up to be less than SGD$500!
Living in a hotel right next to Platinum mall has its pros and cons. Even though cheap shopping is just an arm’s length away, the weight added to your luggage may be enough to damage your wallet badly.
Temple of the Golden Mount
On the first night, we came across an annual temple fair at Temple of the Golden Mount in Wat Saket. We found out later on that Wat Saket hosts a grandeur temple fair during Loy Krathong every year in November.
The crowd was intimidating with many locals as well as tourists praying and wishing for good luck. The sight was really impressive when the Buddha relic worshipping started. Slowing down our footsteps, we followed the procession until the exit.
If fun fair and street food interest you, this temple fun fair is a must go. When I thought frequenting fun fair is a thing of the past, it was encouraging to see young people manning some of the stalls, selling interesting local cuisines with a modern twist.
Shopping Heaven
The Platinum Mall
Specialising in fashion, the Platinum Mall is one of the largest wholesale places in the world. You can find the latest threads here at a really cheap price.
I lugged bags and bags of clothes back to the hotel almost everyday. It’s literally a shopping heaven here! The downside is that most of the shops don’t allow trying before buying. If you really want to do some serious shopping here, you got to bring your own measuring tape!
Terminal 21
Its unique concept and design attract a lot of youngsters around the world to give it a visit. With famous cities all under one roof, the nine-storey mall houses around 600 shops with most of them selling trendy clothing and gourmet food. However, as compared to the Platinum Mall, prices of goods at Terminal 21 are a bit steeper as it is considered as a high end mall.
Siam Paragon
A premium shopping mall that hosts mainly the luxury brands for the wealthy to splurge to their heart’s content, Siam Paragon is extremely grand. Don’t worry if are a budget traveller like me, you can also immerse in the luxurious Siam Paragon experience without purchasing anything (or maybe you can afford Naraya).
Street Market
Pratunam Market
Near the Platinum Mall, Pratunam market is the epitome of cost-savings and convenient shopping. You can get almost anything here from clothes to accessories at wholesale prices. As such, this enclave is probably a paradise for many online shop owners as they can get a dress for less than 100 baht (SGD$4) if buy in bulk!
Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown is a vibrant sanctuary bursting with life when night falls. It is a great place for foodies as there are many delicious food stalls lining the street. Of course it is no less busy in the day where the shop houses selling Chinese delicacies open for business.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Being one of the largest markets in the world, Chatuchak houses more than 8000 stores selling a diverse collection of merchandise from clothes to hardwares to foods.
The enormity of the place has gotten me literally weak in the knees! To explore the place thoroughly is definitely a challenge (even with a map) as it is undeniably huge. Note that Chatuchak market is opened only on the weekend, so plan your itinerary properly if you want to join in the fun of getting lost.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
There are many floating markets in Bangkok but one of the best is Damnoen Saduak. I love the liveliness of the market where friendly locals pipe chirpy greetings at tourists as their boats gently glide down the narrow stream. This is a place that allows you to glimpse at the locals way of life.
Big C
This is the supermarket that sells cheap authentic Wacoal lingerie!
Food
Hello Kitty Cafe
Hello Kitty is my favourite toy so visiting the Hello Kitty Cafe in Bangkok has always been my dream. This time round, I managed to step into this Hello Kitty heaven and took a lot of pictures. Other than the amazing photo experience, there is really nothing much to it. Not even food.
After You
This place is the new craze selling Shibuya toast and snow ice. Toast is a simple breakfast staple and making it a trend is definitely not easy. What’s the trick then to have people queuing outside the store even before it is opened? Well, the well-toasted bread is imbued thoroughly in melted butter and topped with green tea ice cream. That is the reason. Everything with ice cream can never go wrong.
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango sticky rice can be found anywhere in Bangkok. Since Thailand is well-known for its honey sweet mangoes, the combination of sticky rice, mangoes and coconut milk tastes amazing.
Coconut Ice Cream
The best coconut ice cream I have tasted in Bangkok is located opposite the Platinum Mall. With just a pushcart, the uncle travels solo almost everywhere around town to sell fresh coconut ice cream and water. Top with just peanuts, the simple coconut ice cream is a refreshing eat after a full meal.
Though the coconut ice cream at Chatuchak has more hyped around it, it is really just marketing that did the job.
Yaowarat Toasted Bread
Always seen with a snaking queue, Yaowarat bread is toasted to crisp on the outside but soft on the inside with delicious fillings. It’s truly shiok and worth the wait.
I really love Bangkok.
Fare breakdown of 5 days 4 nights:
| Sightseeing | Address | Cost |
| Temple of The Golden Mount | 344 ถนน บริพัตร Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok 10100, Thailand | – |
| The Platinum Mall | 222 Petchburi Road | Ratchathevee, Bangkok10400, Thailand | |
| Terminal 21 | 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Direction: Take BTS to Asok (direct access via Skywalk) |
– |
| Siam Paragon | 991/1 Rama I Rd, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Direction: Take BTS to Siam Station |
– |
| Chatuchak Weekend Market | 587/10 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Direction: Hop on the BTS to Mo Chit Station and take exit no. 1 |
– |
| Damnoen Saduak Floating Market | Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi, Thailand
Direction: There are public buses both air and non air-conditioned leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal. Pinklao-Nakhonchaisi Rd. for Damnoen Saduak every 40 minutes from 06.00 hrs. onwards. |
– |
| Chinatown | 300 ซอย เยาวราช 6 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand | – |
| Pratunam Market | 1, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand | – |
| Big C | 97/11, Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok
Direction: Take BTS to Siam station, or Ratchadamri station. |
– |
| Food | Address | Cost |
| Hello Kitty Cafe |
Siam Square One, Pathumwan Rd, Bangkok, Thailand 10330
|
SGD$3.50-$15/pax |
| After You | G, Siam Paragon Shopping Center, 991 ถนน พระราม 1 Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand | SGD$6.70-$9.50/pax |
| Chatuchak Coco JJ Coconut Ice-cream | Direction: Take MRT to Kampaeng Phet and go to Exit 2. It is located at Section 1, Soi 36. | SGD$1.45/pax |
| Pratunam Coconut Ice-cream | Direction: Opposite Platinum Mall | SGD$1.00/pax |
| Yaowarat Toasted Bread | 452, Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong, Khet Samphanthawong, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand (right in front of the Government Savings Bank) | SGD$0.80/piece |
| Mango Sticky Rice | The Platinum Mall, 222 Petchburi Road | Ratchathevee, Bangkok10400, Thailand | SGD$4.00/pax |
