We’re getting a little tired of mentioning how new community malls remind us of Palio in Khao Yai. Still, The Circle Ratchapruk has also embraced with the whole concept of an Italian-inspired shopping village. But we don’t mind too much: we still prefer The Circle to Palio, because there’s no need to drive three hours to take in the faux European atmosphere. As for the shops, it’s hit or miss: there are a lot more than at Palio, but only some are true gems. Not that the hordes of suburban moms and hi-so residents seem to mind.
The place is divided into four zones: Main Street, Basil Street, which is where most of the restaurants are, Orchid Street, and Fern Finale, which largely has fashion boutiques and ladies’ accessories.

Our favorite by far is Fern Finale, where all the fashion shops are, focusing mainly on women’s wear and brand name accessories. We adore the vintage swimming suits (starting from B3,000) from Bling Bling and its own chic-abbaew styles. All with quality comparable to Thai designer brands like Greyhound since they hire the same tailoring company to do the cutting. You might be a bit disappointed though if you expect more of this, since 90 percent of the shops only stock imported Korean outfits and brand name bags (both new and secondhand).

Orchid Street is a bit random, though there are a few craft-style shops like Momotara and Nukoy selling knitting and scrapbook accessories. There’s also Scissors, a modern hair salon that’s been endorsed by many Thai celebs like Pancake and Lula. Shampoo and dry starts at just B150 only and it’s B350 for a haircut. Orchid Street also houses a few spas.

We don’t recommend spending too much time on Main Street, although it does have some necessities, such as a Tops Daily supermarket, a pharmacy and small bank branches. Foodwise, there are some cheap and cheerful chains like Seefah, Miss Mamon (which sells cakes and pearl tea) and a McDonald’s Drive-Thu (open 24/7). Other than that, it’s lots of cafes, a few laundry shops and a yoga studio. There is, however, a cute shop, Print Thing, which sells tablet and phone cases, and you can even have them print pictures and graphics onto anything you want for B200.

Basil Street, too, is home to mostly chain restaurants like Banana Leaf, Katsu King, MK, Scoozi and Tohkai Yakiniku. There’s also the new brand somtam place, Somtum Dokrak which serves healthy Isaan food starting from B80 for somtam Thai pooh. Most exciting, however, is the Korean buffet at Kimju (B288 for pork and chicken and B388 to also get beef and seafood).

Shops aside, there are little kiosks all over the place. Try Kum-Kom where Thai traditional toys and stationeries are turned into very cool gifts, starting B39.
39 Moo 13, Ratchapruk Rd., 02-865-6850. www.thecircle.co.th. Open daily 9am-10pm