Central Embassy

Central Embassy stands on Phloen Chit Road in central Bangkok, between the Chit Lom and Phloen Chit stations of the BTS Skytrain. It was developed by the Thai retail group Central and opened in 2014 on part of the gardens of the former British Embassy, which sold the plot in 2006. The name recalls that history.

The building was designed by the London firm AL_A, led by Amanda Levete. Its curving outer skin is covered with thousands of aluminium tiles that form a pattern inspired by Thai geometry, and the tower above the mall holds the Park Hyatt Bangkok hotel.

The lower floors are given to luxury fashion houses, international designer labels and fine watch and jewellery stores, set around a bright atrium. Higher up is Open House, a large shared space that combines a bookshop, children's play area, co-working seats and several restaurants under one roof. The mall also has a premium cinema and a lower-level food hall called Eathai, which brings Thai street dishes and regional specialities into a clean indoor setting.

The mall is linked by covered walkway to the BTS network, so it is easy to combine with nearby Central Chidlom, the Erawan Shrine and the Ratchaprasong shopping area.

Entry is free. The mall opens daily from morning until late evening. Tourists can usually ask at the information counter about VAT refund forms for purchases above the minimum amount.

Fashion and watch boutiques on the lower floors

Luxury tenants on the ground and first floors include fashion houses and watchmakers such as Vacheron Constantin, and the Hour Glass runs watch boutiques in the building.

A calmer option than the Siam malls

The mall suits shoppers looking for high-end labels in a calmer setting than the large Siam malls, as well as anyone wanting a quiet place to eat or work out of the heat. Open House, with its bookshop and long tables, is a popular spot to sit with a laptop for an hour, and the food hall in the basement offers inexpensive Thai dishes under the same roof as the designer stores.

The upper floors of the tower hold the rooms and suites of Park Hyatt Bangkok, whose rooftop bar has views over the green expanse of Lumphini and the Ratchaprasong skyline. Visitors arriving by BTS should use Phloen Chit station, which has the most direct covered link into the mall.