If there is one thing that Bangkok is famous for, it is an abundance of shopping malls. In the downtown area, there are so many that you could mall hop from one to another all day and end up kilometres away from where you started. This battle for dominance has seen each mall try to differentiate itself, in its own way; MBK is the place for electronics, Central World for trendy fashion, and Paragon is for luxury goods, Lamborghinis and sharks. I took a walk around this morning to show you a little bit more about this epic shoppers paradise.
Siam Paragon
Spread over 10 floors, Siam Paragon is surprisingly still only the 3rd largest mall in Thailand. In addition to all the retail shops it also contains the largest aquarium in South-East Asia, a movie theatre with 15 screens, an opera concert hall, art gallery and 30-lane bowling alley, and karaoke. Just walking around Paragon will take you several hours. The total complex area is spread across 21 acres and cost 450 Million US$ to build.
Lower Floors: Gourmet Market & Food
The sprawling Gourmet Market on the ground fllor has an amazing selection of both local and imported food stuffs. Some of the fresh produce is simply exquisite, however it comes with a price tag to match. A lot of the fruit that cannot be grown in Thailand due to climate, is imported from Japan and Korea. There is also a wide selection of European delicacies. Outside the Gourmet market there are restaurants and cafes presenting cuisine from every corner of the globe.
Fashion
The mid-floors of Paragon are devoted to your big-name fashion brands, and they are all represented. Due to their popularity stores such as Louis Vuitton, have security guards and waiting lines out the front.
Luxury Vehicles & Electronics
The upper floors are where it gets interesting for me; This is where I could come to buy hi-end hifi equipment, supercars, motorbikes, yachts and home electronics. I mean, if Lamborghini is just too pedestrian for you, Paragon even has a Mclaren 570s on display..and they must sell because its a different one since last time I was here.
Entertainment
Tired of shopping and need some fun, then catch the latest movie on the biggest screen cinema in Asia, go bowling on any one of 30 lanes, or work on those pecs in the multi-storey fitness centre.
Sea Life Aquarium
In case a regular day out shopping doesn't pack enough thrills for you, the SeaLife aquarium is here to help. Not only can you see a wide variety of ocean life in the largest aquarium in S/E Asia, but you can become part of the attraction. The aquarium allows you to dive in to the tank with their wide variety of sharks, and perhaps to feed them a fish for good luck.
image source: http://www.orientalescape.com
If you get a chance to visit Bangkok, then you really must spend a day wandering out Siam Paragon, just remember to bring your cheque book.
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