Asiatique the Riverfront

The Numbers:

1,500 shops, over 48,000 square meters, over 500 fashion boutiques, 40 restaurants, parking for 2,000 cars.

Décor:

The whole place comes across as a mix between Palio and Chocolate Ville with its outdoor circulation and faux retro architecture. The shops are housed in ten huge warehouses, split into a series of smaller alleyways that give the feel of a giant covered market. There are also lots of theme-park-esque features like old trams and 50s cars for the obligatory photo shoots. And did we mention the views of the Chao Phraya River?

Top Shops:

Most of the shops seem to take their cue from the now defunct Suan Lum Night Bazaar. However, like Suan Lum, there is the occasional gem that will appeal to Bangkokians. Graphtees (Warehouse 7, 086-895-8044) do affordable graphic print tees (from B290) and preppy leather and canvas bags (from B1,490). Or you can check out the colorful Propaganda-style home décor items on offer at Qualy (Warehouse 8, 02-689-8591. www.facebook.com/qualydesign). Minalmalistix (Warehouse 2, 081-689-2475. www.facebook.com/minalmalistix), a handmade shoes shop that does everything from canvas slip-ons to sneakers in ethnic patterns, has some bargains starting from B550.

Food & Drink:

There are over 40 restaurants to choose from, with quite a heavy focus on Japanese and Chinese options, though not too many chains. Apart from the obligatory Japanese offerings, we recommend you grab a few drinks and soak up the riverside atmosphere at 9E (Warehouse 9), an industrial looking bar that serves cocktails for a mere B79 (and also sells modern-minimal furniture). Alternatively you can try the beer selection at Irish pub Flann O’ Brien (Warehouse 10), which has a range of imported brews from B100-250. Or grab a seat and end your day at Checkmate (Warehouse 1, 02-108-4704. www.facebook.com/Checkmate.BarBistro), a modern-industrial fusion eatery that does dishes like foie gras holy basil (B450) and wine by the glass from B230.

Cultural Alternatives:

This place is clearly very tourist-friendly, which explains why there’s no cinema. Instead your entertainment comes from the Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theater and the soon to be opened Calypso Cabaret show.

Mega Bangna

The Numbers:

800 shops, 400,000 sq meters, 200 fashion boutiques, 100 restaurants, parking for 8,000 cars.

Décor:

Apart from the pavilion at the main entrance, the rest of the exterior really does look like a giant (we mean really giant) concrete box dropped into the middle of a field. Inside it’s all about lots of light and space. There’s not much going on, but you could call that minimalism at its best.

Top Shops:

While this is clearly high street brand name central there are a couple of unique stores worth hunting out. The branch of gentlemen’s shirt expert Meticulous Maison (1/F, Fashion zone) stands out as the first to house a built-in bar, so pick a shirt (from B2,440) and knock back a shot. Workshop by AIIZ (1/F, Fashion zone) is a multi-label store that features clothing and accessories from young Thai designers like Labyrinth and Good’Gust. It’s also home to the biggest Zara (1/F, Fashion zone) in Thailand and potpourri guru Karma Kamet (1/F, Fashion zone), while footwear brands Havaianas and Dr. Martens (1/F, Fashion zone) have both opened their first Thai stores here. Of course, don’t forget home décor paradise IKEA is right next door.

Food & Drink:

Mega Bangna means business, with over 100 restaurants. Although most are chains like MK, Pepper Lunch, Shabushi and Food Republic, there are some hipper choices. There’s the latest branch of the gourmet Bangkok Burger (1/F, Food Zone), while Japanese fusion restaurant Blue Ocean Sushi (1/F, Food Zone) does fusion-style sets starting from B200. Other highlights include a new branch of London’s Four Seasons Restaurant (1/F, Food zone, soon to be opened), whose Paragon branch we recently gave four stars for its roast duck. Or stump for the yakiniku buffet at Gyu Grill (1/F, Food zone) which starts from B329.

Cultural Alternatives:

Mega Cineplex (2/F, Lifestyle zone) offers 15 screens, promises better 3D and the latest sound systems (and a massive Blue-O Rhythm & Bowl next door). There’s also a 1,000-sq-meter Sub-Zero ice skating rink, twice the size of the one at CentralWorld.

The Winner: Mega Bangna doesn’t really offer anything you can’t get at Paragon or Central (apart from Ikea). Asiatique, on the other hand, is a unique offering with a riverside location. It’s lack of cinema and it’s opening hours from 5pm-midnight make it unlikely to ever become as popular as Mega Bangna, but it gets our vote.

Essentials

Asiatique the Riverfront. 2194 Charoenkrung Soi 76, Charoenkrung Rd., open daily 5pm-midnight. 02-108-4488. Free boat shuttle service from BTS Saphan Taksin.
Mega Bangna. 39 Moo 6, Bangna Trad Km.8, Bangna Trad Rd., open daily from 10am-10pm. 02-105-1000.