Malls of Bangkok: Pantip Plaza
A Shopping Plaza Dedicated to Technology Near Siam Square
Pantip Plaza is where fans of all things electronic have flocked for the past ten years. An outdoor market energy reigns here: crowded aisles, stalls with hawkers, and a chaotic lay-out seem the only solution for the piles and piles of games, computer hardware and software, and MP3 players on offer. And there are also replacement parts and computer repair shops that can revive your ailing equipment for a low price.
A Good Deal?
Pantip Plaza is a great place for those that love technological gizmos. The more you know about these products, and what you want, the more you'll get out of your visit. Not everything here is less expensive than it would be in the US or Europe. Furthermore, some of the merchandise is used and refurbished, which makes it shockingly cheap - and outdated. But some items are a deal. And some of them are only available in Thailand. For instance, if you're learning Thai, there are electronic Thai/English dictionaries, and Thai/English keyboards. There are also stalls that will refill the ink cartridges on your printer, which is better for both the environment and your pocketbook.
No Harm in Looking
Of course, you can go just to gape. No one is twisting your arm to buy anything... although the sellers can be a bit pushy at times. Just say no if you're not interested. In addition to looking, visitors can easily compare prices, too, since everything is under one roof.
Infamy
Pantip Plaza has a reputation for its pirated software. The ground floor is the locus of this activity. Bootlegged programs are for sale here for a fraction of the bona fide product's cost. And the sellers waste no time: copies of Mac OS X Leopard were at Pantip Plaza the very day Apple's program hit the market. If you choose to purchase these illegal products, buyer beware: they are not guaranteed, and if customs finds them in your suitcase, you'll be in very hot water.
Let the Music Play
The guidebooks never mention it, but Pantip Plaza has a number of musical instrument stores, too. They don't have any traditional Thai instruments, unfortunately. They do, however, sell used equipment, which is a bit hard to find in Bangkok. You can buy guitars and all that goes with them, such as picks, cables, and amps. Uncommon treasures like vintage organs made by companies you've never heard of are waiting to be discovered, too.
How to Get There
Pantip Plaza is just north of Siam Square, next to the Indonesian Embassy on Petchaburi Road. If you go by BTS skytrain, take the Sukhumvit line to the Ratchatevi stop and get off at the northeast exit. Turn right on Petchaburi. It's about a ten-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or tuk tuk.
Other malls in this series include Silom Complex and Century the Movie Plaza. Tired of shopping in Bangkok? You could take a walk along the Chao Praya River.
