Shop chaobaan chaobaan style.

If you’ve had enough of Siam Paragon, where your B1,400 can only get you the cheapest shirt at Zara or Greyhound, here’s a new option. The Platinum Fashion Mall (542/21-22 Petchburi Rd., 02-656-5999, www.platinumfashionmall.com) is a mixture of Siam Paragon for its hugeness, Chatuchak for its chic and trendy fashions and Pratunam for its wholesale prices. The five-story shopping offers everything to make shopping easier: 1,500-car capacity parking, clean toilets on every floor, a colossal food hall, air-conditioning and spacious aisles. It is officially open every day from 8:30am-8pm, but don’t be surprised when shops start packing up to go home at 5:30pm.

Thai music keeps you moving through the aisles and DJs grate your nerves with incessant boasting about the many outlets. A plasma screen shows the Chic Channel so you can watch the latest trends as you shop.

This massive wholesale mall is a source for retail shops all around Bangkok, from Khao San Road to Siam Square. You’ll find many of the same brands at Chatuchak. Bargain hunters without their own clothing stores can still pay wholesale prices by purchasing a minimum of three pieces from the same shop. If you’re lucky you can pay the wholesale price for just two pieces.

Shopping at The Platinum is hardcore, so invite some friends. With more than 1,300 shops, you’ll need at least four hours to get through the mall. Save some time with our recommendations for each floor.

Ginza (basement)

Rungtiwa sells various kinds of shoes, including basics for office ladies and schoolgirls. Pick up some pumps (B259/1, B230/3). Find coats for real winter (B3,800/1, B3,500/3) at Vialli 9.

Soho (first floor)

Sensible bags (B1,590/1, B1,080/3) for career women can be found at Together. Men should check out Actor for shirts and pants suitable for work or play. Their pullover (B450/1, B350/3) is a simple and versatile closet staple.

Oxford (second floor)

Butter grooms your nails and styles your dogs. Treat your 10 fingers to a French manicure for B50. Dog coats (from B120/1, B100/3) are available in various colors and sizes to dress your beloved pooch. Botany Skin Therapy sells colorful soap (B100) and body scrubs in clean, modern packaging. Spend B500 and get a 20% discount, or B4,000 for a 40% discount. At K Girls, shopping is like a treasure hunt. Try your luck at finding a decent top in the many rows of B10 shirts.

Nathan (third floor)

There are many eye-catching trinkets at Kabahl but we love their outstanding retro rings (B100/1, B80/3). Look for Tibetan’s bohemian-chic handbags (B680/1, B400/3).

Camden (fourth floor)

Colorful is a bag addict’s paradise, offering specialty bags for almost everything, including passport bags (B190/1, B150/3) and pencil bags (B190/1, B150/3). FYI, Colorful’s ultra-pink branch is located at ByPass Siam Square. Parisian-style corsets in various colors and patterns (B390/1, B200/3) are the focus at Sara. For guys, Sup sells trendy t-shirts along with handsome jackets in both casual and formal styles (B690/1, B400/3).

Fifth Floor

Weary shoppers can revive themselves at the food hall featuring more than 30 food shops. Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Islamic and vegetarian food is available for B35 and up. The spacious 1,000-seat court is clean and modern, and a glass wall on one side offers a city view. Other facilities such as banks and pharmacies are also on this floor. Check out Sun Star, the self-proclaimed biggest gift shop in Thailand.

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