Siam Center

There’s plenty for one person to do and see whilst in Thailand’s capital of Bangkok. It’s a place ripe with exploration for any tourist, or even local, and has gained quite a reputation for both its culture and modernised beauty. One point of interest that ought not be overlooked, however, is the famed Siam Center, found near the Siam BTS Station.

The Siam Center is something of a shopping centre, and a well-beloved one at that. It caters to people young and old, with many various brands both Western and Thai, as well as some from further East. It appeals to just about every kind of tourist no matter where they may be from with its numerous boutiques, and is certainly worth a day’s visit on your own visit to the Thai capital.

The Siam Center has some historical value too – it’s not just a place to shop and wander. It was one of the first shopping centres to ever be built in Bangkok, back in 1973. Since then, it’s seen many renovations made to it, leading to its current modernised and stylistic appearance. It’s even survived a hefty fire, which initiated one of its many renovations.

It had rebranded itself as ‘Siam Center The Ideaopolis’ after those many renvoations, and has even won the Best Commercial Renovation/Redevelopment back in 2013 for the way it’s developed and changed through those many renovations. It’s a historically interesting place, by almost every means, but what can visiting tourists expect to experience there, and what makes it worth an entire day out?

Well, on most floors you’re likely to find clothing brands, from local Thai ones like Lyn Around or Baking Soda, to international brands like Adidas, Victoria’s Secret and Pull & Bear. There are plenty such interesting and wonderful brands to explore, and you can do so to your heart’s content. Of course, as a tourist in Thailand, it’s most recommended that you explore the local brands, but it’s always nice to see some international familiarity!

The very top floor of the Siam Center boasts a large variety of restaurants and cafes, for whenever you start feeling peckish or feel like having a sit down. It’s a lot to explore, so sitting down in a pleasant, atmospheric place with a cup of coffee can really put a pleasureful cap on an interesting day! Some of the more popular choices of venue in the Siam Center include Swensen’s, Greyhound Café, Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Somtam Nua, and BonChon Chicken.

The Siam Center is open every day, from 10am to 10pm. It may, at first, seem wasteful to spend hours of your limited time in Thailand at a shopping centre, but this isn’t just any old shopping centre – this is Siam, and the Siam Center is as much of a cultural experience as it is a material one. If you have money to spend on souvenirs, this is the place to spend it, and whittle away a few hours in a calm, Asian-aesthetic atmosphere. You’d be hard-pressed to regret it.