Bangkok Shopping Prices at Markets
Platinum Fashion Mall Prices and Quality
The first stop is the Pratunam area, beginning with Platinum Fashion Mall because the sun is strong and the mall is air conditioned. It has seven floors, and the men’s and women’s fashion section is on the third floor. Everything is priced, so you do not have to bargain, and buying in bulk saves money.
On the fourth floor, a shop has good quality sports and gym T shirts. One piece is 290 Thai Baht, or 250 for two or more. I bought three pieces for 800 Thai Baht. The shop also had football jerseys at 390 each or three for 1,000, and there were many nice socks with unusual designs.
There are many shops selling the same items at different prices. Check around, ask the prices, and then buy. The place is large and it is easy to get lost. The traffic outside was heavy because of a new bridge and tunnel, so the BTS and MRT are much better choices than taxis or tuk tuks.
Pratunam Open Market Bargains
The weather is better after sunset, although the rainy season can bring both heavy rain and intense heat. Pratunam Open Market is easy to reach in front of Baiyoke Sky Tower, and it is cheaper than Platinum Fashion Mall, while the mall offers more variety and some better quality.
New arrivals were 100 Thai Baht, one piece was 150, and three pieces were 400 Thai Baht. T shirts started at 70 Thai Baht, shorts were 100 Thai Baht, and sunglasses were 50 Thai Baht. The quality of the sunglasses is uncertain, but they may be good enough for taking pictures.
The open market is more crowded and messy than an air conditioned mall, with tuk tuks, cars, and motorbikes around the shoppers. Be careful while walking and shopping. Local shoppers know where to find the best items, and stalls add new products for the night market at affordable prices. For more ideas about Bangkok after dark, see Bangkok parks and Patpong night market.
CentralWorld Original Shopping and Sales
From Pratunam, the route continues to CentralWorld for original products and a comparison with copy and locally made items. An Apple product was 19,900 Thai Baht, and the prices appeared similar to those in other countries. Bangkok was also full of sales, making this a good season for shopping.
Fila items included a beach item at 990 Thai Baht and another at 1,290. Skechers had 50 percent sale signs, while men’s collection prices included 3,600 and 3,990 Thai Baht. The original football jerseys were on sale too, with some items reduced by 40 percent or 60 percent.
The shopping list also included hats for gifts. A New York Knicks hat was 1,590 Thai Baht, and new arrivals had 10 percent off. After a short coffee and food break, a book cost 590 Thai Baht and a larger one cost 890 Thai Baht. The route between the markets and malls is walkable, which saves time in Bangkok traffic.
Original and Copy Football Jersey Prices
The difference between original and copy football jerseys was clear. A new original jersey for fans cost about 3,200 Thai Baht, while a player version cost 4,800 or 4,900 Thai Baht. The copy jerseys were 390 Thai Baht, or 350 each when buying three.
The original jerseys cost about ten times more for fans and twelve to thirteen times more for players. The texture and overall quality were different, but original items can be better value when they are on sale, especially after a major tournament. A related Bangkok copy shopping guide has more price comparisons.
MBK Outlet Shopping Prices
At MBK, outlet prices were almost half the prices seen at CentralWorld because the earlier items were from the latest collection. One item for a woman was 1,645 Thai Baht, and a golf item was 690 Thai Baht. A 60 percent sale made the outlet worth checking.
The final search was for football jerseys for children. One set was 500 Thai Baht, with a possible best price of 450. A retro club shirt was 1,200 Thai Baht. The shops were closing, so this was the last stop before heading home.
Bangkok’s traffic and transport choices matter during a shopping day. Walking between nearby shopping areas can save a lot of time, while a taxi becomes less convenient when the traffic is heavy.
Bangkok Shopping List and Final Takeaways
The shopping list was not finished because Chatuchak Weekend Market and another market were still planned. The purchases were gifts for an upcoming trip, including sports shirts, football jerseys, hats, and other items.
For the cheapest clothing and accessories, Pratunam Open Market offered the lowest prices. Platinum Fashion Mall had more variety and better quality options, CentralWorld had original products and seasonal sales, and MBK offered outlet bargains. Comparing several shops before buying was the most useful lesson from the day.
