Shopping in Pattaya
Shopaholics will be absolutely bewitched by all that Pattaya has to offer! Revel in the fashionable boutiques, the sheer silks, pretty corals and shells and the exquisite handicrafts, paintings, jewellery, gemstones and souvenirs. Most of the shops in Pattaya are found in high-end hotels and along the main streets of South Pattaya.
[read more]Shopkeepers eagerly hail tourists and you'll be surprised to find that the prices are quite reasonable.
The shops in Pattaya can only be topped by the fabulous food and cuisine, which many tourist come back to experience again and again.This Pattaya Shopping guide introduces you to the Pattaya shopping scene. For more general information regarding shopping in Thailand please visit our Thailand Shopping Guide.
Pattaya Shopping Guide
When you are in Thailand, a delightful shopping escapade is always just around the corner! It is only too easy (and enjoyable!) to lose oneself in the many Pattaya shops, malls, bazaars and supermarkets.
The currency that is in use here is the Thai Baht. Popular tourist areas are simply teeming with exchange booths and you can easily exchange your currency and indulge in a shopping spree! Keep a look out for the mobile exchanges and ATMs that are usually set up in specially designed minivans.
Many exchange booths will be eager to buy foreign currency, but will be hesitant to sell it. If you are travelling to a place like Cambodia, where you will need USD, try to find one of the branches of reputed banks such as the Bangkok Bank. This bank has a branch on Second Road, on the opposite side of Soi 6.
Most visitors to Pattaya love picking up ethnic Thai items. If you are one of them, you'll love the Thai handicraft market, which is open through the night. Watch out for shops selling fake branded and so-called designer goods.
Shopping Malls
The Central Festival Centre: situated on Second Road, opposite the Soi 2, is a huge mall comprising of the Big C and IT Corner. The IT Corner stocks a variety of mobile phones and accessories but does not deal in computers.
The Mike Shopping Mall: flanked by Soi 11 and Soi 12 lies on the Beach Road. From the Second Road, there is another entrance. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. This multi-floored mall includes smaller stalls that sell clothes, souvenirs and other accessories on the ground floor; a departmental store; a food court on the fifth floor and a huge swimming pool that is open to visitors on the tenth floor.
P.S. Plaza: Located at the intersection of the Central Pattaya Road and Second Road, the P.S. Plaza occupies two floors. The ground floor has a supermarket. The first floor comprises of books, billiards, massage centres and a few other shops, while the second floor has a bowling centre.
The Royal Garden Plaza: is situated between Soi Pattayaland 1 or Soi 13/3 and the Soi Post Office, or Soi 13/2. A large, posh mall on Beach Road, it is quite close to the Pattaya Marriott Hotel. Yet another entry point is found on the Second Road. Keep a watch for Ripley's Aeroplane.
Com City: also known as Tuk.Com is located on the South Pattaya Road. It is mainly an IT mall and the prices here are much higher than in the rest of Bangkok. A Tops supermarket, clothes stalls, a food court and many other shops selling spare parts and electronic goods such as transistors is found in the basement, while the ground floor has a number of regular shops. The first floor is dedicated to mobile phones; computers and handheld electronics are found on the second, third and fifth floors. The fourth floor specialises in MP3s, video CDs and computer software.
Supermarkets
There are numerous popular supermarkets in Pattaya:
Carrefour: Located on Central Pattaya Road, it is flanked by the Sukhumvit Road and Third Road. It opens at 9 a.m. and functions till midnight.
Big C: This is situated at the junction where the South Pattaya Road joins with Sukhumvit Road. It has another branch too which is situated opposite Soi 2 at the Central Festival Centre.
Foodland: This is found at the junction of Central Pattaya Road and Sukhumvit Road and is open through the day and night.
Foodmart: This is placed at the point where the Thaphraya Road intersects with the Theprasit Road and provides round-the-clock services.
Friendship Supermarket: The Friendship Supermarket is perhaps the most westerner-friendly market in Pattaya. Famed for its huge collection of bread, cheese and wine, it is located on the South Pattaya Road. It is open from 7 a.m to 2 a.m of the next day.
Tesco-Lotus: Tesco-Lotus has two branches, one of which is situated on the North Pattaya Road (eastwards from the Dolphin Roundabout) and the other on Sukhumvit Road. It operates from 9 am. to 11 pm.
The Tops Market: This 24-hour supermarket is located at the point where the Central Pattaya Road cuts across the Second Road.
The Villa Market and the Avenue Shopping Mall: These 24-hour supermarkets are found just opposite the Soi 13 on the Second Road.
Markets
Bazaar markets are a major attraction with holidaymakers. To get the best deal, go ahead and haggle all you want! Some of the most popular bazaar-style markets are:
The Thepprasit Market, which is located on the Thepprasit Road, near the Sukhumvit Road junction. It usually opens up during the evenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Soi Buakhao Market that is found opposite the Friendship supermarket, on the corner where the South Pattaya Road joins with Soi Buakhao. It is open during the daytime on Tuesdays and Fridays. Further down this road, you will also find a thriving evening market.
The Made in Thailand Night Plaza, which in complete defiance to its name, functions every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is situated near Soi 10 on the Second Road.
The Market Pattaya, which is also located on Second Road near Soi 5. It is relatively secluded compared to the other markets. However, on certain evenings, students perform here, lending a degree of vivacity.
There are many other such markets, including one on Soi 2 on Second Road, near Tiffany's Show.
