Siam Area

Shopping (see also here and the Bangkok page in Most Expensive Shopping Avenues)

Take the BTS, often referred to as the Skytrain (the very efficient, new overhead rail system) to Siam station. You'll find several large air-conditioned shopping centers linked together like the Siam Centre and Siam Discovery Centre (clothes, shoes, western brands, restaurants.)

MBK (Mah Boon Krong) close by, offers 7 floors of boutiques and small shops selling just about everything (local and western designer names, fashion boutiques and fast food) at very reasonable prices. You can access directly from National Stadium Skytrain station via a walkway. Very busy at the weekends

Siam Square - located opposite Siam Discovery, is really a cluster of small inter-connecting streets filled with tiny boutiques selling young funky clothes, knick knacks and accessories. Catering largely to the nearby student community at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University, it's a cool place to hang out for Bangkok's teens and twenties and has a unique "city village" atmosphere. Lots of small local restaurants, cafes (some overlook the street from the first floor, providing a great spot for people watching) bars, and outside beer gardens. Nearest Skytrain: Siam

Eating

These large modern malls are also great places to eat and drink, from fast food chains like Ao Bon Pain and the ubiquitous Starbucks, to Chinese, Japanese Ramen noodles and local Thai. Food courts are generally located on the upper floors, although you'll find places to eat on all floors. Both the shopping centres and the surrounding area offer a huge variety of places from theme restaurants to cosy bars and cafes. (See dining Out)

There are accommodations for every budget, from the inexpensive like IBIS or Mandarin to the luxury hotels like Siam City, Intercontinental and Four Seasons.

Click here for more hotels near Siam Square