Bangkok Itinerary Overview (2015). p.s. Read about our post of how to get from BKK airport to downtown.

Melissa shoes, Naraya bags, and Wacoal undergarments. 

These are a few staples my fellow female Singaporeans and I buy when we visit Bangkok. So if you are a shopaholic visiting BKK for the first time, you can consider getting them too! ;) Do some research back home to compare prices. And remember, they get even cheaper when you claim for a VAT refund:

• Goods must be purchased from stores displaying the ‘VAT Refund For Tourists’ sign.
• A minimum purchase of 2,000 Baht in the same store on the same day
• Bring your passport on the day of purchase to apply for a VAT refund.
• Goods have to be taken out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase. Claim your VAT refund at the airport. More details of VAT refund in Thailand.

P.S. Usually, buying from shopping malls allows you to apply for a VAT Refund.

Brands to Buy in Bangkok

Naraya

A variety of products made from different fabrics, designed with a feminine touch. Products from handbag to kitchenware to home decor. Great designs at affordable prices.

Experience: We first went to Central World, because Jelly Dreams was just opposite Naraya. Good to get my buys in one swoop. But later, when we went to Siam Discovery to search for more Jelly Dreams, we realised Naraya is just one floor down and having promotion for this outlet only. =.= But anyhow, they have new fabric prints – elephants! So Bangkok… and I’m loving it!

Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:

• Asia Hotel (09:00 – 24:00)
• Asiatique (10:00 – 24:00)
• Bann Silom (09:00 – 22:00)
• Central Rama 9 (10:00 – 22:00)
• Central Ladprao (10:00 – 22:00)
• Central World – Ground Floor (10:00 – 22:00)
• Don Mueang Airport, Domestic and International (04:00 – 22:00)
• Grand Palace (09:00 – 17:30)
• MBK – Tokyu (10:00 – 21:00)
• Paradise Park  (10:30 – 21:30)
• Patpong (10:00 – 24:00)
• River City (07:00 – 22:30)
• Siam Paragon (10:00 – 22:00)
• Siam Discovery (10:00 – 22:00)
• Sukhumvit 24 (09:00 – 22:30)

For addresses, visit the Naraya page.

Wacoal 

Locally-made underwear, manufactured under licence, sold at department stores. Mainly cheaper than other Asia outlets.  

Experience: I bought my stuff at Central World (Zen). However, I had to make a second trip to Robinson to get underwear for someone else. I was told there’s a 15% discount if I get 3 undies. I contemplated and decided not to. And the saleswoman told me, then 15% for 2! I was like huh?! You can bargain?! Then I thought of the “discount” I got at Zen. After I got what I wanted, they told me of a promotion which requires me to buy more to get the good discount. And I did buy more. =.= So, be sure to ask the sales person if there’s any ongoing promotion before browsing the lingerie. 

Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:

• Siam Paragon (wide selection, but price might not be cheap)
• Central World Plaza (Zen Departmental Store)
• Terminal 21 (Japan Floor)
• Isetan
• Robinson
• MBK (Tokyu)
• Pratunam

Note: Some commented that not all stores carry the same quality and pricing.

Jelly Dreams (Melissa Shoes)

I have a few pairs of Crocs, simply because I love rubber shoes! I like its water-resistant characteristic, especially good if you want to travel light with 1 or 2 pairs of shoes. Melissa shoes generally has better designs than Crocs, but the prices are higher too. Then I heard wind of Melissa shoes being cheaper in Thailand. Thus, I had to pop by their store in BKK, which is named Jelly Dreams.

Jelly Dreams, is under Thailand’s well-known footwear retailer – Jelly Bunny! That’s probably the reason of the re-branding from Melissa. Btw, Jelly Bunny shoes just arrived in the shores of Singapore last year (2014), at Plaza Singapura.

Experience:

We first visited Central World’s outlet – but it didn’t have nice designs and it wasn’t running any promotion. So I went to Siam Discovery and they were having a promotion of up to 70% discount! I had wanted to get the basic designs but none of it was on sale. Most basic designs were new arrivals. :( Not giving up, I went to their outlets in the departmental stores, but they carry only new arrivals and of course, with no discount.

BUT THANK GOD, I saw one designs I like at Siam Discovery and got it at 70% off, about S$50? Selling at US$135 on shopmelissa.com/jasonwu/virtue-jason-wu! Happy girl ~ :)

Apparently, the shoes are cheaper only if there is an in-house promotion, on top of the tax refund and strong home currency. I saw pictures of bloggers getting Melissa shoes I like from BKK at good prices, but it’s unavailable when I got there. So, it really depends if you will come across models and colours you had research to buy.

Outlets / Stores / Branches in Bangkok:

• Central Banga (1st Floor)
• Siam Discovery (2nd Floor)
• Central World Plaza (1st Floor)
• Melissa at Department Stores (Paragon, Emporium, The Mall, Central)

Shopping Malls in Bangkok

Some popular shopping malls you might want to visit:

• Siam BTS, National Stadium MRT
  • MBK
  • Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery
  • Siam Square 1 (newly opened)
• Between Chit Lom and Siam BTS: Central World
• Chit Lom / Phloen Chit BTS: Central Embassy (Christian Louboutin, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Rolex, etc)
• Sukhumvit MRT, Asok BTS: Terminal 21, Robinson, Time Square
• Phrom Phong BTS: Emporium Bangkok

Any other recommendations of what to buy or where to go?

Will blog about my experience at the various malls and night/weekend markets in my upcoming posts! 

Photo Credits:
1/ Naraya Source
2/ Melissa Shop: www.hboemtb.com/projects/single_project/jelly-dream
3/ Melissa Source

Travels during April 2015 | © 2015 Joogo Travel

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