After rumors and reports started flying in 2017 that the tax-free Japanese discount megastore Don Quijote was set to open on Ekkamai Soi 5, we finally got a November 2018 announcement that it’s hiring from its official Facebook page Don Don Donki Thailand. 

While the official opening date has still yet to be officially announced, Prachachat reports that the first Bangkok branch of the megastore will open its doors on Feb 22, bringing along with it various other Japanese shops launching in Thailand for the first time.

The “Donki” mall—a joint venture with paint-maker TOA—will take over a 3-rai plot of land at the start of Ekkamai Soi 5, occupying a total space of 2,500 sq meters over two floors (the 1st and 2nd floor) of an eight-story shopping complex. 

Aside from retail space selling basic groceries, clothing and electronics, you can expect a slew of cafes, restaurants, fitness and entertainment facilities on other floors. These include imports Sanrio Bakery, Nana’s Green Tea—famed for their wide variety of matcha-flavored drinks, cakes and soft serve ice cream—and gaming and sports store D-Sports Stadium. 

Launched in 1989, the store commonly known as “Donki” now has more than 300 branches around Japan and three in Hawaii. Long on Thai tourists' shopping hitlist, the chain is known for its huge range of products, from basic electronics to clothing and all sorts of quirky Japanese accessories, as well as its pounding in-store soundtrack.

Bangkok will be Don Quijote’s second destination to open in Southeast Asia after opening in Singapore in 2017.

See also: New bars, hotels, restaurants and shops to look forward to in Bangkok in 2019