Locals and tourists give offerings at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok.


Palaces, Shopping Malls, Spas and More in Thai Capital

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

BANGKOK ― Thailand is widely considered one of the best destinations for travelers on a budget. While many seek out Thailand for its gorgeous beaches and golf courses, those looking for a mini-break should also head to Bangkok.

Just a little over five hours by plane from Seoul, Bangkok is anything but boring. There is a lot to see and do in the city with its stunning royal palaces and temples, bustling markets, huge shopping malls and restaurants, and it won't even take a lot of money.

Shop Till You Drop

Shopping is perhaps the number one draw for tourists in Bangkok. There are shopping malls and markets everywhere you go.

Get ready for the Grand Thailand Sale starting on June 1, which runs through Aug. 31, when local and international brands slash their prices by up to 80 percent. It's no joke when an expatriate living in Bangkok said that during the sale season ``the stores are practically giving away the stuff for free.'' Even if its not ``sale season,'' most of the prices in Bangkok's malls are lower than Seoul's department stores.

Shopping malls like Central World, Erawan Bangkok and Peninsula Plaza can be found along Ratchaprasong and Ratchadmari. Central World is the largest lifestyle shopping complex in Southeast Asia, with over 500 Thai and international stores. Local Thai clothing brands worth checking out are Greyhound and Jaspal, as well as the popular Thai silk shop Jim Thompson. .

Just a few minutes away is Pathumwan, which locals call Bangkok's counterpart to Tokyo's fashionable Shibuya district. Young people love shopping at Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Square and MBK.

For a posh shopping experience, head over to Siam Paragon for Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, Mulberry and other luxury brands. There's even an auto gallery featuring the hottest Ferrari sports cars.

Siam Paragon is also home to the Siam Ocean World, an indoor aquarium. The basement food court has restaurants serving Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Western and Korean food.

Young and upcoming Thai designers are known to set up shop at Siam Square. Most of the stalls are selling this summer's trendiest clothes like the 80s-style oversized shirts. While everything is inexpensive (women's tops go for as low as 200 baht or 6,500 won), the quality is not that great.



MBK Center is always packed with locals and tourists and for good reason. Stalls here sell clothing, electronics, furniture, cosmetics, souvenirs, food items and mobile phones, at very affordable prices.

Most shopping malls offer an English-language shopping directory map, which lists down all the shops and restaurants with their locations. These maps are particularly helpful for tourists who have no time to wander through the mall in search of a particular shop.

Bargain Finds



Chatuchak weekend market attracts hordes of tourists and locals. The market definitely lives up to its reputation as a place where you can buy anything from souvenirs to shoes, clothes and textiles to flowers and plants. Savvy shoppers can flex their bargaining skills here.

Even with a map of the market, Chatuchak can seem like a maze of tiny alleys. The alleys can feel stuffy and claustrophobic at times, especially during peak hours around noontime.

The MBK mall practically offers the same clothes, shoes and souvenirs available at Chatuchak, but in a more comfortable, air-conditioned environment. For example, a Thailand-emblazoned souvenir T-shirt will cost around 79 baht (2,500 won) in Chatuchak but will cost 99 baht (3,000 won) at MBK.

The Patpong night market and the Suan Lum night bazaar, which open around 5 p.m., are also worth checking out for bargain deals. Temperatures are also relatively cooler at night, so tourists can enjoy shopping without suffering under the sweltering heat at Chatuchak. Stalls are open until midnight.

Palaces, Shrines



A trip to Bangkok won't be complete without visiting at least one of the palaces. Instead of taking a cab, try a river taxi or boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, two popular tourist attractions.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is a must-see for first-time visitors to Bangkok. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) features another famous landmark, the 79-meter tall central pagoda ``Phra Prang, encrusted with porcelain that sparkles under the sun.

One thing to remember when visiting palaces is the dress code. Tourists wearing sandals, slippers, shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed to enter. Long-sleeved tops and pants are available for rent, although remember these are clothes that have been worn by numerous people.

For a bit of good luck, visit the Erawan Shrine, located just outside the Erawan Bangkok shopping mall. Here, many locals and tourists pray before the four-faced image of the Hindu God Brahma, which reportedly has the power to grant wishes. Devotees of different faiths come here to light incense sticks, give flower offerings and wooden elephants, while asking for their wishes to be granted.

Thai Food

Thai food can be found everywhere, from the streets stalls to the malls. Those with adventurous taste buds will enjoy sampling Thai street food, which range from noodles, soups, curries, chicken and beef satay and sausages.

Located in Siam Square, Baan Khun Mae (Mother's House) is a good option for people looking for authentic Thai dishes that are not too spicy. Adding to the charm is the fact that the restaurant is set in an old traditional Thai structure.

For a quirky dining experience, Cabbages and Condoms is worth a visit. With the slogan ``our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy,'' this is one restaurant that has a sense of humor. Colorful condoms are everywhere, but it's not done in a distasteful or cheesy way. The restaurant, run by the Population and Community Development Association, was conceptualized to promote family planning.

Specialty dishes at Cabbages and Condoms include Samlee Det Deao (fried cotton fish with mango and chili sauce), Chicken in Herb Leaf Bikini (deep fried chicken wrapped in pandan leaves with special sauce) and Spicy Condom Salad (Shanghai noodles garnished with chili sauce and herbs).

Thai Massage

After all the shopping and sightseeing, make sure to get a Thai massage before heading back home.

The best place to get a Thai massage is at Wat Pho, a 200-year-old monastery in Bangkok. Aside from the huge gold reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is also famous for the historic inscriptions about Thai massage on the walls of its ceremonial hall and pavilions.

Thai King Rama III commissioned the inscriptions in the 19th century. The inscriptions were registered with the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Memory of the World for Asia and the Pacific earlier this year.



Traditional Thai massage usually involves herbal massage or contorting the body in different hermit yoga poses.

The Wat Pho Massage School has several branches throughout the city. A traditional Thai massage for 30 minutes cost 150 baht (5,000 won), while a 30-minute foot scrub plus a 120-minute full-body massage costs only 370 baht (12,000 won).

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr