So, you’re planning a trip to Bangkok, and you’ve heard all about the incredible shopping. You’ve seen Instagram flooded with photos of your friends’ shopping hauls—piles of trendy clothes and shoes spilling across their hotel beds. Naturally, you’re excited, so you hit Google and search “where to shop in Bangkok.”
Enter UNION Mall
Every travel blog seems to recommend the same usual suspects: Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam Market, Siam Square, and Chatuchak Market. But let me tell you something bold—forget those places. If you want the real hidden gem for crazy-cheap and unique shopping in Bangkok, look no further than UNION Mall.
During my last trip to Bangkok, my travel buddy and I spent a whole day at Siam Square and Platinum Mall. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. The quality of the items didn’t live up to the hype, and the prices were higher than expected. Plus, Platinum was massive, with two compounds and six floors each. After a while, everything on sale looked the same—fashion fatigue at its finest.
The Hidden Gem: Union Mall
Thankfully, a local friend came to the rescue, telling us about Union Mall, a shopping center that caters to the young, trendy crowd. She swore by it and promised we’d find unique, stylish pieces at affordable prices. The very next day, we made our way there, and it did not disappoint. In fact, it was shopping heaven.
Union Mall has a total of 8 levels, complete with supermarkets and a food court, but the ones you’ll want to focus on are the three levels packed with clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Platinum or other big malls, where everything starts to blur together, Union Mall felt fresh. Every shop sold something different, and we hardly saw any duplicates. Sure, high-waisted trousers were the trend at the time, and plenty of shops carried them, but beyond that, there were endless unique finds.
Prices and Haggling
Prices at Union Mall generally range from THB 100-250 (~SGD 4-10), and yes, always haggle! Our rule of thumb was to ask for THB 100 off anything priced at THB 300 or higher, and we’d negotiate from there. The sellers here are a lot friendlier than those we encountered at Platinum, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting upset if you haggle too much.
Why Union Mall?
Not only are the prices amazing, but the vibe is more relaxed, and the quality of the goods feels higher compared to other shopping spots. Plus, and this is a big plus—there were hardly any tourists around! The place was full of locals, and we were some of the only visitors there. That’s how you know you’ve found a real gem.
If you’re looking for cheap, high-quality shopping with unique styles, Union Mall is the place to go. And honestly, after my visit, I can’t believe more people don’t know about it. So next time you’re in Bangkok, skip the overcrowded, overhyped spots and head straight for Union Mall.
UNION MALL Ladprao Soi 1, Bangkok, Thailand 10900 Getting there: Phahon Yothin MRT Station Exit 5. Opening hours: 1100am to 1000pm daily.