If you are in Pattaya on a short break or a long relaxing vacation there will come a time when you feel the need to go shopping. Perhaps you need a few basics, or maybe you want to buy something special – an attractive souvenir, or a few pieces of clothing. Luckily Pattaya has many malls, supermarkets, stores, markets, and designer outlets that provide everything you need. Find out where to go to browse, barter, and spend that cash – and have fun while you do it!
Pattaya Market/ Image via Leo Fung/ Flickr
Malls in Pattaya
The Central Festival mall was opened in 2009 and is one of the biggest in the whole of Asia. This is a huge, sprawling place that you can easily get lost in, with everything on sale that you could want from electronics to clothes, beauty products to toys. This is surely the best mall in the region and it attracts thousands of people. You’ll also find a cinema complex and the food court, which offers reasonably priced dishes from all over the world. The big department store in this mall is called the Central Department Store and it sells all kinds of high-end fashion and more.
Mike Shopping Mall on Beach Road has smaller shops and stalls which sell cheaper goods, clothes, and souvenirs. There’s a food court for lunch, and a department store – and even a public swimming pool at the top.
The Central Festival Center is on Second Road. It is also large and has a department store called the Big C, plus the IT corner for mobile phones.
Tuk.Com or Com City is a mall that primarily sells IT goods, although there is a supermarket in the basement and a food court. You will be able to find mobile phones and accessories, software, and computers.
P.S. Plaza has a supermarket and food court, plus the P.S. Bowling center and a handful of smaller stores and massage places.
Pattaya Night Bazaar/ Image via calflier001/ Flickr
Markets in Pattaya
If you are looking for a more authentic Thai shopping experience or you just want to be able to haggle before you buy, go visit one of Pattaya’s many markets. The Thepprasit Market is on Thepprasit Road and is open from 6 pm to midnight during the week. Find some cheap books along with other goods at this night market. The Soi Buakhao Market is across the road from the Friendship Supermarket and is a day market on Tuesday and Friday – there is a night market further down the road. The Made in Thailand Night Bazaar (which is also open in the mornings) and the Market Pattaya sell all kinds of things and you can also experience live music.
Shops in Pattaya
You’ll find all kinds of stores in Pattaya. Convenience stores like the Family Mart and 7-11 are everywhere – buy snacks, drinks, and other essentials, at any time of the day or night. Family-run convenience stores also sell food, snacks, and essentials and can be found on any street in the city. If you’re looking for jewelry then you’ll find plenty of choice in terms of gold. And there are also many art galleries and art shops for originals and reproductions. Tailors are everywhere – have a suit made cheaply with just a few fittings.
Specialty Stores
One of the best places to go to Pattaya is the Tea Village. Here you’ll be able to enjoy more than 80 flavors of tea and some coffee. Find books at branches of Bookazine, or Book Variety. The largest English-language bookstore is called Canterbury Tales Café and it sells second-hand books as well as coffee and meals. If you’re looking for a fishing tackle, Jo Fishing Tackle Shop is your destination.
Know Before You Buy
Be careful if buying fake designer goods or fake branded goods as these could be confiscated by officers from customs at the airport when you leave. Watch out for buying electronics that may end up being overpriced compared to the West and even other places in Thailand. If you need electronics, there are better places to buy than Pattaya.
You can easily exchange foreign currencies for the local currency – Thai baht – at numerous exchange stores around the city. You can also withdraw Thai baht from an ATM using your foreign credit or debit card – remember that you will most likely be charged a fee by your bank for doing this, and the ATM also charges a fee. Be careful as these fees quickly add up. If you need to get dollars or some other currency you will need to go into a major bank.
