Bangkok’s top fashion shopping destination::CentralWorld

Written by Lai Peixuan | Photography by STEPHEN TSAI

In recent years, Bangkok’s tourism industry has developed rapidly. Under the tourism goal of “Fashionable Bangkok,” numerous large shopping malls have continuously opened in the city. Among them, Bangkok’s “Central World” claims to be the largest shopping mall in Southeast Asia. It opened in 2006, and although it was temporarily closed during the 2010 Red Shirt protests, the renovated Central World has remained bustling with visitors. This has transformed Bangkok, Thailand, from just a city for budget shopping into so much more.

Central World was formerly Bangkok’s World Trade Center, covering an expansive area of 830,000 square meters. It is divided into six zones, featuring 36 newly introduced fashion brands, 50 restaurants, and also integrating two other department stores—Zen and Isetan—to form the largest shopping complex near Chit Lom Station.

Over 60% of the stores here are multi-brand outlets. The mall also houses exclusive counters for many premium brands including Charles Jourdan, Jurlique, Vivienne Tam, and the Chanel cosmetics section, ensuring shoppers can fulfill all their retail needs in one visit. Additionally, the Fashion and Trend Center (FTC), funded by the government, is located on the 6th floor of CentralWorld. The exhibition space features a white-themed design and is divided into three sections, primarily showcasing wearable items such as clothing and jewelry. An upcoming library and reading area will house a collection of books and magazines related to fashion and trends, offering the latest global style information. This not only helps both locals and tourists stay updated on the latest design and fashion trends but also provides deeper insight into Thailand’s fashion design culture.

On the second floor of ZEN Department Store, there is also a dedicated area called the Thai Designer's Gallery, which showcases ready-to-wear collections from multiple independent Thai designers. The styles are unique, making this the perfect spot for those who want to avoid fashion duplicates when out and about.