Pattaya Shopping Malls, Markets and More
Visitors to Thailand often wonder what Pattaya shopping is like and whether they should set aside time for shopping in the city or save it all for Bangkok.
While Bangkok is a haven for shopping enthusiasts, there are enough Pattaya shopping malls, supermarkets and street stalls that sell everything from designer clothing and accessories to souvenirs and food. Whether you want to get away from the sun or the rain, there are Pattaya supermarkets and air conditioned malls where you can spend the day indulging in some retail therapy.
If you are looking to do some shopping to get yourself fashionable evening wear for a night out partying or to buy designer wear at much lower prices than you would have to pay back home, the shopping malls are where you should head. Pattaya has several large malls located on or close to the main beach road. Central Festival Pattaya is the largest and the most popular of these. Besides this, there are shopping malls in Pattaya such as The Avenue, Royal Garden Plaza and Mike’s Shopping Centre. These malls have department stores as well as satellite stores where you can find almost anything you need. In addition, they have restaurants and food outlets that include international fast food chains such as McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King.
Indoor shopping in Pattaya does not have to be expensive. Following a factory outlet format popular in western countries, there is an outlet mall in Pattaya where you can find leading fashion brands at factory prices. This is a convenient option for shopping in Pattaya as it offers a tremendous choice of brands at a single location and all at discounted prices. The Outlet mall in Pattaya has over 200 brands. It was expanded to include a newer premium outlet mall with leading international brands. With car parking and restaurants within the complex, this is a perfect way to spend the day if you are looking for looking for things to do in Pattaya.
For a more localised version of shopping where you can bargain to bring down prices and buy cheap knock offs and gifts, the markets in Pattaya are the best bet. The prices can be from 10%-40% lower while shopping in the street markets. You would, however, need to watch out for touts and follow certain etiquette while bargaining, such as being polite, smiling and bringing down the price within reasonable limits. Popular street markets for Pattaya shopping include Soi Buakhao off South Pattaya Road that is open on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Thepprasit market near Sukhumvit Road, which is a weekend market. The Pattaya floating market is also worth a visit to see the beautiful colours and for local food. Besides this, there are Pattaya shops and street stalls on and off Pattaya Beach Road where you can find garments, swim wear, sun lotion and other accessories that you need on the beach.
If you are staying in Pattaya for a while, there may come a time when you want to cook your own meals as you start to miss the food back home. With the large number of foreign tourists and long stay visitors in Pattaya, the city is well equipped to meet every need. There are supermarkets in Pattaya and food markets, such as Tesco Lotus, Big C and Tops where you can find food items and brands that you are used to. In addition, other food stores which are popular in Pattaya with foreigners looking for groceries that they are familiar with are Foodland Supermarket and Friendship Supermarket.
All in all, Pattaya shopping will not disappoint whether you are looking for fashion or food. You can enjoy shopping during your holiday by choosing from international style shopping malls or opt for a more local feel by shopping at one of the open air markets or street stalls.