I recently returned to Bangkok, Thailand after a 4 year break. This time it was mostly a shopping trip with the gals. And where would the best shopping be? Of course, it's none other than at Platinum Fashion Mall. You could easily get a dress from between 360B to 460B and that is without bargaining. Their fashion is now much more updated than it was 3 years ago, following the trends of Hong Kong and Korean styles. Sizes tend to be small, fitting those size 4 to 10 perfectly. There are still clothes for the larger size, but limited. Levels 4 and below are all the clothes, and Level 5 of Platinum Fashion Mall has been transformed to an accessory floor. Recently they expanded with a new wing, just next door, and Levels 4 and 5 of the new wing is filled with shoes like flats, platforms, heels, boots of every conceivable color and style. A friend of mine who is really into shoes had such a wonderful time shopping!
Because we had little time, we decided to stay at Amari Watergate which is located just across the Platinum Fashion Mall. This allowed us to go back and forth the mall easily. However, the disadvantage is that there is not much of a food variety, and getting out of the area by taxi can be a chore especially when it is raining. Even walking to the train station probably would have taken us about 30 minutes. If I were to return, I would actually stay on the same side as Platinum Fashion Mall, and that would be the newly renovated Novotel.
After asking the concierge we managed to find some cheap and decent foot massage located a 15 minute walk over the overhead bridge behind Palladium Square. There are about 4 massage places located side by side and we simply chose the brightest one, called Umaporn Massage. The best thing about them is that they provide free WiFi as well as give a free massage for every 10 completed sessions. Seriously for such a cheap set up like that you don't expect anything much, but they really did the extra, and that's what make them great in my opinion. Expect a half hour foot + half hour back massage going for 200B. They also do the regular Thai massage.
Travel Itinerary for a 3 Day 2 Night stay in Bangkok, Thailand
Day 1
- Arrive in Bangkok and check into hotel
- Send copies of our favorite working shirt and pants to the tailor located at Amari Watergate
- Lunch
- Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall
Day 2
- Chatujak art + craft section
- The Jim Thomson House
- Lunch and Tea at Siam Paragon
- Siam Paragon Departmental store to buy cheap Wacoal undergarments for the gals
- Boots pharmacy store located at Siam Square to pick up our favorite Botanicals products
- Centralworld for dinner on 7th floor
- Naraya shopping for gifts
Day 3
- Back to Platinum Fashion Mall + New Wing
- Massage at Umaporn Massage
One of my favorite things I did this time was to visit The Jim Thomson House. I would recommend getting the address written in Thai as we had trouble communicating to the taxi driver where we wanted to go. The nearest BTS stop is National Stadium Exit 1. It's backtracking and taking the first right turn and about a 20min walk in. Especially with the hustle and bad pollution on the main roads, going to explore Jim Thomson's House was like almost a sanctuary with the green foliage, wooden flooring, and such serene piece. If time permits, it would be lovely to have tea and enjoy the greenery.
Siam Paragon still remains my favorite place to have afternoon tea and meals. There is a wide selection at the basement, from foodcourt style food, where you can try streetside food at a cleaner setting, and of course the more luxurious fine dining. My favorite dessert shop that also serves sandwiches is The Mandarin Oriental Shop. I absolutely love the Lemon Tart and the Blueberry Cheesecake taken together with a very smooth cup of cappuccino. After tea, a good place to check out would be the supermarket at the basement.
A great place to buy gifts for friends is at Naraya. Be expected to hustle with tonnes of other people doing the same thing. Some of the items could be as cheap as those found in Platinum Fashion Mall and even Chatujak.
In previous trips, I had the chance to visit Sirocco at Lebua which I absolutely love. It's a great place to order desserts and listen to the jazz band as well as have a great view of the city.
Sirocco
The Dome at lebua
Silom Road, Bangrak
Bangkok, Thailand, 10500
Telephone: 66-2624-9555
My favorite fine dining restaurant must be Baan Khanitha, though expect to pay through your teeth. The place is done up in traditional Thai style and have just the perfect Thai dishes that will leave you thoroughly satisfied.
Baan Khanitha & Gallery
69 South Sathorn Rd. Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Telephone: 66-2675-4200
Food Courts in Bangkok
If you are like me, would rather spend more money on shopping, want to have a taste of street food in Bangkok, yet concerned about the cleaniness, dining at the various food courts is both a fantastic way to save money and yet be able to enjoy street food. I would usually save by eating in the food court during lunch, and splurging more for dinner at a proper sit down restaurant. Here is a list of food courts near where you would probably shop:
- Platinum Fashion Mall
- Food Loft Centralworld
- FoodLoft Central @ Central Chidlom
- Siam Paragon
A spa that I often frequent in previous visits would be the Health Land Spa and Massage located at Sathorn. If there is a group of 3-4 persons, you can actually get a package of 10 and have multiple sessions and that would help to reduce the costs.
Health Land Spa and Massage
120 North Sathorn Road
Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500
Telephone: 66-2-637-8883
My conclusion from this recent trip. Bangkok has become even more polluted over the years. If you have a sensitive nose, I would recommend that you wear a mask so that the dusk doesn't irritate you and you will certainly have a more pleasant time. In addition, beware of safety, some taxi drivers will insist of bringing you to places, but never agree. Get out of the cab if need be and take another one. Other than that, Bangkok still remains a great place to have cheap food, cheap shopping, and cheap massage. A perfect getaway for gals and guys alike.
A few months later...
A recent trip I had with my parents to Bangkok included a 4 day 3 night itinerary of an organized tour to visit the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the Unesco World Heritage Site at Ayutthaya, a River Cruise from Bangkok on the Chao Pharya River as well as checking out Terminal 21 at Asoke BTS. More about the trip can be found here.
More articles on trips to Bangkok:
Bangkok with a large group of friends and their kids
A weekend of shopping and eating in Bangkok
 |
| Platinum Fashion Mall |
 |
| Platinum Fashion Mall New Wing - SHOES! |
Because we had little time, we decided to stay at Amari Watergate which is located just across the Platinum Fashion Mall. This allowed us to go back and forth the mall easily. However, the disadvantage is that there is not much of a food variety, and getting out of the area by taxi can be a chore especially when it is raining. Even walking to the train station probably would have taken us about 30 minutes. If I were to return, I would actually stay on the same side as Platinum Fashion Mall, and that would be the newly renovated Novotel.
 |
| Amari Watergate guest room |
Travel Itinerary for a 3 Day 2 Night stay in Bangkok, Thailand
Day 1
- Arrive in Bangkok and check into hotel
- Send copies of our favorite working shirt and pants to the tailor located at Amari Watergate
- Lunch
- Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall
Day 2
- Chatujak art + craft section
- The Jim Thomson House
- Lunch and Tea at Siam Paragon
- Siam Paragon Departmental store to buy cheap Wacoal undergarments for the gals
- Boots pharmacy store located at Siam Square to pick up our favorite Botanicals products
- Centralworld for dinner on 7th floor
- Naraya shopping for gifts
Day 3
- Back to Platinum Fashion Mall + New Wing
- Massage at Umaporn Massage
One of my favorite things I did this time was to visit The Jim Thomson House. I would recommend getting the address written in Thai as we had trouble communicating to the taxi driver where we wanted to go. The nearest BTS stop is National Stadium Exit 1. It's backtracking and taking the first right turn and about a 20min walk in. Especially with the hustle and bad pollution on the main roads, going to explore Jim Thomson's House was like almost a sanctuary with the green foliage, wooden flooring, and such serene piece. If time permits, it would be lovely to have tea and enjoy the greenery.
 |
| Jim Thomson House |
Siam Paragon still remains my favorite place to have afternoon tea and meals. There is a wide selection at the basement, from foodcourt style food, where you can try streetside food at a cleaner setting, and of course the more luxurious fine dining. My favorite dessert shop that also serves sandwiches is The Mandarin Oriental Shop. I absolutely love the Lemon Tart and the Blueberry Cheesecake taken together with a very smooth cup of cappuccino. After tea, a good place to check out would be the supermarket at the basement.
 |
| Blueberry Cheesecake From The Mandarin Oriental Shop |
A great place to buy gifts for friends is at Naraya. Be expected to hustle with tonnes of other people doing the same thing. Some of the items could be as cheap as those found in Platinum Fashion Mall and even Chatujak.
In previous trips, I had the chance to visit Sirocco at Lebua which I absolutely love. It's a great place to order desserts and listen to the jazz band as well as have a great view of the city.
Sirocco
The Dome at lebua
Silom Road, Bangrak
Bangkok, Thailand, 10500
Telephone: 66-2624-9555
My favorite fine dining restaurant must be Baan Khanitha, though expect to pay through your teeth. The place is done up in traditional Thai style and have just the perfect Thai dishes that will leave you thoroughly satisfied.
Baan Khanitha & Gallery
69 South Sathorn Rd. Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Telephone: 66-2675-4200
Food Courts in Bangkok
If you are like me, would rather spend more money on shopping, want to have a taste of street food in Bangkok, yet concerned about the cleaniness, dining at the various food courts is both a fantastic way to save money and yet be able to enjoy street food. I would usually save by eating in the food court during lunch, and splurging more for dinner at a proper sit down restaurant. Here is a list of food courts near where you would probably shop:
- Platinum Fashion Mall
- Food Loft Centralworld
- FoodLoft Central @ Central Chidlom
- Siam Paragon
A spa that I often frequent in previous visits would be the Health Land Spa and Massage located at Sathorn. If there is a group of 3-4 persons, you can actually get a package of 10 and have multiple sessions and that would help to reduce the costs.
Health Land Spa and Massage
120 North Sathorn Road
Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500
Telephone: 66-2-637-8883
My conclusion from this recent trip. Bangkok has become even more polluted over the years. If you have a sensitive nose, I would recommend that you wear a mask so that the dusk doesn't irritate you and you will certainly have a more pleasant time. In addition, beware of safety, some taxi drivers will insist of bringing you to places, but never agree. Get out of the cab if need be and take another one. Other than that, Bangkok still remains a great place to have cheap food, cheap shopping, and cheap massage. A perfect getaway for gals and guys alike.
A few months later...
A recent trip I had with my parents to Bangkok included a 4 day 3 night itinerary of an organized tour to visit the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the Unesco World Heritage Site at Ayutthaya, a River Cruise from Bangkok on the Chao Pharya River as well as checking out Terminal 21 at Asoke BTS. More about the trip can be found here.
More articles on trips to Bangkok:
Bangkok with a large group of friends and their kids
A weekend of shopping and eating in Bangkok
