Malls of Bangkok: Century Plaza
At the Victory Monument Skytrain Stop, Video Games and More
May 1, 2008
There's always more shopping in Bangkok. New night markets appear out of nowhere. A mall is built, only to be quickly overshadowed by another. The Malls of Bangkok series began at quirky Silom Complex, home of Orchid Books, and moved on to the oh-so-young Siam Center and its Asian designer boutiques. It's time to head to Century the Movie Plaza, where video games rule, makeup is applied, the cheap jewelry stalls tempt, and Hello Kitty dominates a little shop.
From Skytrain to Low-Budget Jewelry
There's an entrance to Century the Movie Plaza from the Victory Monument Skytrain stop that lets visitors onto the second floor. Once inside, they're greeted by little carts with costume jewelry, stuffed animals, and incense. The jewelry closely resembles what's for sale outside on the street, both in style and price. But the intrepid shopper of Bangkok knows there's always something out of the ordinary to be found - like peacock feather earrings, for that '80s rocker burn-out look. And they're only one dollar.
Video Games
Like many malls, the three levels above the ground floor are open at the center, courtyard style, with balconies that look down to where the weekly sales happen. Up on the third floor, it's all about video games. Because of this, a constant drone permeates the mall. Unpleasant? Yes. Many natives of Bangkok are accustomed to a never-ending assault on their eardrums, so this is nothing to them. But, it can be fun to watch people play Percussion Freoks (sic), a video drummer game, or EZ 2 DJ, with two turntables and music to follow. There are also five karaoke booths lined up along one wall, where people practice in (relative) privacy – the booths are plexiglass, so passersby can watch.
Hello Kitty
Also on the third floor near the ticket booth for the cinema (the mall IS named Century the Movie Plaza), there is a shop called Winnies, as in Winnie the Pooh. But inside, Hello Kitty rules. Some people are obsessed with the cutesy cat. Some people can’t stand her. Some people are both obsessed and disgusted. However anyone feels about it all, the gamut of Hello Kitty bric-a-brac boggles the mind. Winnies also has a nice sticker section for all the 10-year-old girls out there.
Oriental Princess
Don’t forget the makeup! Like Los Angeles or Miami, Bangkok is heavy on it. The second floor has a row of shops solely dedicated to makeup: Cosmeda, Cute Press, Oriental Princess. There is almost always someone powdering, lining eyes, or applying mascara, either to herself, a friend, or a client. It can get pretty busy in there. Join the party. Or sit at the coffee shop out front, where you can catch glimpses of the primped primping.
The Cinema, the View
Movie-goers are treated to a great, panoramic view of Bangkok on the way up to the theaters. There are couches where people sit and chat, with the Skytrain tracks just below them. This cityscape is oriented southwest, toward Banglampoo and the Chao Praya River. Across the street, the narrow building on the corner is home to the Jazz Bar, an easygoing rooftop spot.
Century the Movie Plaza is dwarfed when compared to heavyweights like Siam Center. But the pleasure in Bangkok's shopping is the limitless variety. The shopping will not stop in Bangkok. For that reason, the Malls of Bangkok series must continue. Installment four is coming soon. Where oh where will we go next? Pantip Plaza, a tech-head’s paradise.
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