Gay Bangkok • Shopping

Enough world-class retailers to keep the most demanding gay shopper happy for hours. Fashion, lifestyle, living, technology and luxury – it’s all here. There is a huge range of food options, from simple one-dish meals to upmarket restaurants and a gourmet supermarket.

Paragon is also home to Fitness First gym, a bowling alley, Kinokuniya bookstore and world-class cinema complex (including an IMAX theatre) on the top floor. A useful 5% tourist discount card (valid within Paragon and the supermarket) is available at information desk – you will need to a photo ID to prove that you’re a tourist.

Traffic around Siam Paragon can be very bad during rush hours. We strongly recommend getting there by the BTS skytrain (Siam Station) that has direct bridges to the mall.

Highly recommended for shopaholics. MBK (which stands for “Mahboonkrong”) has 7 massive floors, offering a market-type shopping mayhem experience.

This hugely popular mall is a rabbit warren of stalls and shops that sell pretty much everything. Great for cheap T-shirts, used designer jeans, mobile phones, souvenirs, jewelry. On the ground floor, there are artists who can replicate photographs as paintings.

MBK has a huge section of mobile phones, with dozens of booths selling ‘pay as you go’ Thai SIM cards (if you’re staying more than a few days in Thailand, then a Thai SIM card can save you money). Dozens of international restaurants are located here, as well as fast food chains – Starbucks, etc.

Tip: Many jeans shops can get alterations for your pants done in just 15-20 minutes if you ask.

nearest station : BTS: National Stadium or Siam

The newly renovated Siam Discover, next to Siam Paragon, has an eclectic mix of Asian designer shops and speciality stores, international brands such as Diesel, Apple as well as a Madame Tussaud’s museum on the 6th floor.

If you are looking for something more specific on the fashion front, then this place might be worth a look. There is a useful, air-conditioned walkway between MBK and Siam Center.

nearest station : BTS: Siam or National Stadium

Bangkok’s long-running mall and landmark for fashion and lifestyle. Siam Center is filled with local designer shops, boutiques, international brands, as well as trendy restaurants and cafés.

Siam Center is more popular with a younger crowd and students. Located next to Siam Paragon and has direct entrance from the Siam skytrain station.

nearest station : BTS: Siam

This 6-storey, multi-purpose complex is a modern shopping centre in the heart of Bangkok’s entertainment & shopping district.

The modern complex features lifestyle shops, fashion, digital gadget & mobile phone outlets, hair salons, tutoring centres and an excellent range of restaurants (Thai and Japanese especially), boutique coffee shops and a few international fast food chains.

The building is directly linked to the Siam skytrain station, opposite Siam Paragon and Siam Center.

nearest station : BTS: Siam

Claims to be Asia’s largest department store with 100+ shops, 100+ restaurants, CentralWorld occupies more than half a million m² of retail space. It is very easy to get lost in this place!

Like Siam Paragon, CTW ahas a large cinema complex on the top floor. CentralWorld is also home to GMM Live House and ZEN Hall – host venues for the gCircuit SK10 gay dance parties.

The traffic in this area can be terrible at the best of times. Take the skytrain to either Siam or Chidlom station, and from there you can walk on the raised walkway to the mall (about 5 minutes).

nearest station : BTS: Siam or Chitlom

Pure luxury, darling. Welcome home. We are talking over 100 stores including the likes of Prada, Gucci, Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, as well as high-end Thai art and crafts.

Most stores at Gaysorn will discount if you ask discreetly. Take the hotel’s limo or the BTS skytrain to Chidlom then use the raised walkway which is directly connected to the mall.

nearest station : BTS: Chidlom

One of the older department stores in Bangkok (since 1973). Central Chidlom has 8 floors and specialises in selected, international brands. The gourmet supermarket on the 1st floor is well-recommended.

The Food Loft (5th floor) offers a great range of Western and Asian food, all cooked to order. Well-organised, fast and good value. Stand-alone restaurants and fast food chains can also be found here.

A 5% tourist discount card available at information desk.

nearest station : BTS: Chidlom

Bangkok’s latest luxury mall from the Central group, featuring cutting-edge designs and technology, this 8-storey complex is home to high-end fashion brands, urban lifestyle units and a range of restaurants.

Conveniently located in the city centre, just a steps from the Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit Hotel. Central Embassy has a skywalk connecting from two BTS skytrain stations.

nearest station : BTS: Chitlom or Ploenchit

Located about a 10-minute walk from CentralWorld, this department store specialises in mid-priced clothes and accessories.

Platinum is packed with hundreds of clothing shops and stalls, retailers and wholesalers (although this can be a few as just two or three items). Some restaurants and fast food chains can be found here, too.

Homo-techo? Pantip Pratunam is the place for you. Five floors of computers, IT gadgets, cameras, printers, accessories, and surveillance equipment to keep an eye on the boyfriend.

Whether you desire a plug for your socket or a complete system upgrade, chances are you will find it here. Some shops do computer repairs on the spot (including official repairs for some manufactures such as Samsung who will do warranty work).

There is a huge amount of pirated software for sale, but be warned – you might end up with more than you bargained for. Play safe and keep those viruses away from your hard disk.

The nearest BTS skytrain station is Chitlom, but it is a good 10+ minutes’ walk. Taxi is the best option.

Smaller version of the Paragon that is comprised of The Emporium mall and a range of shops, most of which are international fashion and miscellaneous retailers.

There are lots of dining options here, a gourmet supermarket on the 5th floor and a SFX cinema complex on the top floor.

A 5% tourist discount card available for use within the Emporium. The entrance to the mall is linked to the skytrain station.

nearest station : BTS: Phrom Phong

Opened in 2015, The EmQuartier is a new luxury mall (opposite The Emporium) – part of The Mall Group’s project to turn this urban area into “Em District” – a complex of premium offices, shops, upmarket hotels, 5-star residences and entertainment venues.

EmQuartier features Southeast Asia’s tallest man-made waterfall (40 metres high) with large open green spaces across its multiple levels. There’s an IMAX theatre, Quartier Cineart by Major Cineplex Group, and world-class gym Virgin Active which has a club lounge, indoor pool & spa facilities.

High-end boutiques from the likes of Valentino, Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, up-and-coming brands from Japan, Taiwan and Korea can be found here. There are plenty of restaurants from around the world, plus a modern delicatessen supermarket – The EmQuartier Gourmet Market.

nearest station : BTS: Phrom Phong

Opened in 2010, Terminal 21 Asok is a large retail complex with 9 floors, consisting of shops, a cinema, a Fitness First gym, a gourmet market and restaurants.

Its design concept is based on famous cities from around the world (Rome, Paris, Tokyo, etc). The mall is home to the longest escalator in Thailand and is well-known for great-value food (we recommend dining at the Food Court).

Very easy to get to, with direct access from the Asoke BTS skytrain and Sukhumvit MRT metro stations.

nearest station : BTS: Asoke or MRT: Sukhumvit

Opened in 2012, this 8-storey Japanese-influenced shopping mall features a range of Japanese restaurants, fashion outlets, health & beauty shops, a supermarket, IT store and edutainment centre.

Conveniently located in the heart of Sukhumvit area.

nearest station : Ekamai

An amazing 15,000+ stalls spread over 35 acres makes Chatuchak one of the biggest outdoor markets in the world, attracting some 200,000 visitors each weekend.

You can buy just about everything here – local handicrafts, T-shirts, vintage clothes, souvenirs, home decorative items, plants, puppies, etc. Prices are usually negotiable.

Chatuchak can get very crowded, so wear light clothing and plenty of deodorant. Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the premises.

Open on Saturday and Sunday but plants & flowers shops are also open on weekdays, too.

nearest station : BTS: Mo Chit or MRT: Kamphaeng Phet

Bangkok’s first large-scale riverside project with shopping, dining, sightseeing, activities and events all in one place. Hundreds of shops and international fine-dining establishments occupy the areas along the riverbank, while the city’s longest public boardwalk is lined with events venues.

Asiatique is also where concerts, festivals and the New Year’s countdown celebrations take place. Trendy, great atmosphere and much to see!

The easiest way to get there is to take the skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, then walk down to the pier on the left and take the free shuttle boat to Asiatique’s pier.

To gay visitors, Patpong is almost impossible to miss – given its location between the two main gay streets in Silom. The night market operates Tuesday to Sunday, from around 7pm to around midnight (a bit later on the weekends).

The street stalls sell a range of fake ‘designer’ clothing, accessories, bags, watches, souvenirs, CD’s and DVD’s. Mixed up with these stalls are a few shops selling reasonable Thai arts & craft products.

Bargain hard. Generally safe, but like all busy markets, be aware of your wallet and personal belongings. ‘Street food’ vendors are plentiful here if you’re up for a late-night bowl of noodles.

nearest station : BTS: Saladaeng

Leading UK-based pharmacy and beauty retailer, Boots sells a huge range of beauty, fragrance, diet, fitness products and offers pharmacy services.

Two branches of Boots in Silom (near Saladaeng BTS skytrain station) operate 24 hours – handy if you have the urge to buy some vitamin C, hairspray or packet of condoms after clubbing at DJ Station.

nearest station : BTS: Saladaeng

Need to buy groceries at 3am? If what you’re looking for cannot be found at a ubiquitous 7Eleven, then head to FoodLand supermarket.

The Patpong branch is conveniently located on Patpong Road in Silom, close to all the gay bars on Soi 4, and is open 24 hours. Also check Boots’ website for the location nearest you.

nearest station : BTS: Saladaeng