MBK Center

MBK Center stands at the Pathumwan intersection in central Bangkok, at the corner of Phaya Thai Road and Rama I Road, opposite the National Stadium. It opened on 7 February 1985 under the name Mahboonkrong and was renamed MBK Center in 2000. It is owned by companies linked to Thanachart Bank and the Dusit Thani Group.

The mall was one of the first large shopping centres in the Siam area and has kept its market style even as newer luxury malls opened nearby. Instead of large brand stores, most of its space is divided into small units run by independent traders, which gives it the feel of an indoor market.

The building has eight floors with around 2,000 shops, restaurants and services. The mobile phone floor is the best known, selling new and second hand phones, accessories and repairs. Other floors sell clothes, shoes, bags, watches, cosmetics, souvenirs, camera gear and household goods, and there is a large food court, a cinema and a bowling alley on the upper levels.

Prices are generally lower than in the neighbouring Siam malls, and bargaining is usual at many independent stalls, though shops with marked prices do not usually discount. Check electronics and branded goods carefully, as quality varies.

Entry is free, and the mall opens daily from morning until late evening. National Stadium BTS station on the Silom Line connects directly to the building by a walkway, and Siam station is a short walk away. Weekday afternoons are quieter than weekends.

What each floor of MBK sells

Clothing, shoes, bags, watches, sunglasses and luggage fill the lower floors. Phones and gadgets dominate the middle levels, and the upper floors hold the cinema, bowling alley, karaoke rooms and a large choice of restaurants, along with souvenir and furniture shops. Floor layouts change as traders move, so use the directory boards by the escalators.

For phones, compare prices at three or four stalls before buying, ask whether the handset is new or refurbished, and check that it works with your home network and has a valid warranty. Ask for a receipt. The food court is a cheap place for Thai dishes, and pay-as-you-go cards for the counters are refunded if unused. Across the road, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is linked by a skywalk and makes an easy stop on the same visit.