9 Top Tips to Shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall Bangkok

Bangkok . 2013 . Jul 28

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Having experienced great shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall during our 3 day 2 night visit to Bangkok and coming away with our shopping loot, we thought it might be useful to share some of our tips for first time shoppers to the Platinum Mall.

Tip #1: Always Negotiate for Wholesale Price

There are always 2 prices listed on the product tag.  The lower price is the wholesale price, while the higher price is the retail price.  Most shopkeepers will insist that you purchase at least 2 items (they can be different items in the shop, but within the same price range) in order to enjoy the wholesale price.  I usually find it easy to negotiate prices to the wholesale price even if I am purchasing just one item.

Tip #2: Consolidate Your Purchases in One Shop

When buying common items like accessories and belts, it may be better to consolidate your purchases in one shop. It’s definitely easier to negotiate a better deal and try to ask for a further discount on top of the wholesale prices.

Hairbands and Hairclips bought from the same accessories shop.

Bought all my shoes from the 9 to Five Shoe Shop.

Tip #3: Beware of Shops with No Price Tags on their Products 

This makes it easy for the shopkeeper to quote you differing prices depending on your nationality.  For instance, I bought Korean bracelets at THB $100 at a particular shop on the first day, but on the second day, the same shop quoted me THB $135 for the same item.  Even within the same day, different staff will quote you different prices.  Purchase only if you are sure that you are getting a good deal.

Tip #4: Do not Waste Your Time bargaining lower than the Listed Wholesale Price 

Platinum Mall is a wholesale centre, and the shop keepers there are more keen to sell their products to a big customer than to a one-time customer.  Unless they are trying to get rid of stocks, it is unlikely that you will be able to get a price cheaper than the listed wholesale price, unless you really do buy in large quantities.  In all cases, I’ve walked away from hearing a high price and the shop keeper will not make any attempt to lower the price to get me back.

At THB $50, this is already consider a steal. No point bargaining for lower prices. Save your time to explore more shops instead.

Tip #5: Stay in a Hotel near to Platinum Fashion Mall

It makes it so much easier to go back to the hotel to freshen up and off-load your purchases when they get too heavy. We were staying in Mercure Bangkok Siam, which was near the MBK area. This means that we have to take the skytrain or taxi to go to Platinum Mall every day, which certainly cuts down our shopping time. Novotel Bangkok Platinum is the best hotel to stay if you are going to shop at Platinum Fashion Mall all day as it is just above the mall and provides direct link access to the mall!

Besides Novotel Bangkok Platinum, some of the popular hotels near the Platinum Mall include Amari Watergate Bangkok, Glow Pratunam Hotel and Centara Grand at CentralWorld

Tip #6: Prioritize Your Time 

In general, I find that the newer wing of Platinum Mall sells more fashionable things than the older wing.  Having said that, being an avid shopper, I will still find the time to walk through the older wing so as not to miss out on any good deals.  The shops at Platinum Mall are categorized based on the items they sell, for instance, Level 5 sells only children’s stuff and accessories, Level 4 specializes in shoes and bags, while the lower floors are for woman’s fashion.  If you are hard-pressed for time, know what you want before hitting the mall.

Tip #7: Buy if the Price is Right

Most shops sells things that are unique to their own shop, and once you find that the price quoted is acceptable to you, purchase it on the spot.  It is unlikely that you will find the same thing again at another shop, unless it is another branch of the same shop.  Given the size and massiveness of the mall, it is also unlikely that you will be able to retrace your steps back to the shop, especially if you are short of time.

Tip #8: Bring a Friend with You

There are no changing facilities in each shop (being a wholesale mall), and some shops do not even have a mirror, so you can’t see how a piece of clothing will look on you.  Your best bet is the opinion of a friend to see if the clothes fit you.   For that reason, I prefer to buy shoes and accessories as they can be easily tried on. Lucky these dresses fit me.. :)

Tip #9: Wear a Good Pair of Walking Shoes

Most importantly, wear a good pair of walking shoes.  You’ll be on your feet for most of the time in the mall!
You might want to take a short lunch break at Fuji Japanese Resutaurant or the food court before continuing on your shopping adventure!

We hope the above tips will help in your shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall. Do you have any tips on shopping at Platinum Shopping Mall? We would love to hear your comments! :)

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

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Restaurant Review: Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Platinum Mall Bangkok

Bangkok . 2013 . Jul 28

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

Fuji Japanese Restaurant is located on the 6th floor of the older wing of Platinum Fashion Mall. We’ve had several feedbacks from friends and colleagues that the Japanese fare in Bangkok is cheap and good, so here we are to try this out for ourselves.

It is a great choice and a good place to relax if you do not wish to fight with the crowd for a seat at the Food Court located just outside the restaurant.

The interior of Fuji Japanese Restaurant @ Platinum Mall.  This is really a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the foodcourt outside. 

Fuji Japanese Restaurant Menu. Let's take a look at what's available inside.

 There are so many sets and different combinations, we were simply spoiled for choice!

One thing that I always must try at all Japanese restaurants is their Chawan Mushi!  This one is not too bad, although it cannot rank as the best that we’ve had.  At a cost of THB $70 = SGD $2.80, it is not exactly cheap for a chawan mushi. (Sakae Sushi’s chawan mushi cost $4.20).

 The desserts look so appetizing in the menu!

Strawberry Frost (THB $65 = SGD $2.60) to deal with the dehydration after half a day walking and shopping in Platinum Fashion Mall.   The Thais seem to have a very good way of making Frappes for this one tasted as good as the one at Somboon Seafood Restaurant.  On second thoughts we should not have ordered this, for the lunch set came with free coffee or tea for each of us!

My Saba Shoyaki Set Lunch (THB $130 = SGD $5.20)  It comes with the main dish, miso soup, sweet tofu, rice, dessert plus a beverage.  There is also a small plate of kimchi too..thought kimchi is more for korean food? The price for this is less than half of what we normally pay in Singapore, but the standard is comparable, if not better!

Tommy's Tonkatsu Set (THB $140 = SGD $5.60). Tasty breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet with some mayonaise with the usual miso soup, sweet tofu, kimchi, rice, dessert and a beverage.

Our dessert of fruits for each of us.  Argh, by this time, both of us were too full to carry on, though we must say that thai fruits taste pretty sweet.

Verdict:  The total bill came to THB $445 (SGD $17.80) inclusive of 10% service charge. This include 2 set meals (consisting of a main course, a beverage and a dessert), one Chawanmushi, and one Strawberry Frost.  It is a very affordable price given that this is a restaurant setting and the standard of food is good.  Certainly a good alternative if you want to have a good resting place after the hectic shopping at Platinum Fashion Mall.  We will definitely drop by again the next time we are at Platinum Mall.

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

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Platinum Fashion Mall Bangkok – A Shopping Paradise

Bangkok . 2013 . Jul 28

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

It has been more than 10 years since we last stepped foot in Bangkok, and I must say, the shopping scene has changed greatly.   No longer do we only go to MBK for the best deals in town.  Instead, every trip to Bangkok cannot end without a trip to the largest wholesale and retail market in Thailand, The Platinum Fashion Mall.  With more than 2000 shops in Platinum Fashion Mall, it will be impossible to walk away not buying anything.

It helps a lot that in contrast to Pratunum Market, Platinum Fashion Mall is fully air-conditioned, for I cannot imagine walking in the hot tropical weather for the entire day!

Directory for Platinum Fashion Mall.  Platinum Fashion Mall consists of two buildings or wings – the older wing consists of Zones 1 and 2, while the newer wing consists of Zone 3.  There is a food court on the 6th floor if you want to break for lunch before continuing your shopping!

Lots of Women Fashion Clothes in Platinum Mall at cheap wholesale prices.

The older Wing of Platinum Fashion Mall.  Be sure to be an early bird and hit the stores early, for the crowd thickens during the day.

At Platinum Mall, be prepared to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of shops and the myriad of products they offer.  From shoes, bags, belts, lingerie, pyjamas, T-Shirts, shorts and pants, accessories, Korean and Japanese-style fashion, to men’s fashion, you’ll find everything here at cheap prices to indulge yourself in.  As the name implies, this is a wholesale centre, so you’ll find people walking around in large luggage, stocking up for their shops.  The mall is also heavily patronized by Singaporeans, so it does feel like a mini Singapore here!

I found so many identical items bought at exorbitant prices in Singapore, but sold cheaply here in Platinum Mall.  This is also the place where local blog shops and shops at Far East Plaza stock up on their goods.   There are many shops selling good quality Korean-style clothing for as low as SGD15.

Our Shopping Loot Galore

 I am proud and eager to show off my loot after a day of shopping at Pratunum Market and Platinum Fashion Mall:

Korean Style Bracelets and Necklaces

Bracelets (THB $100 =  SGD $4 each) and Necklaces (THB $120 to 150 = SGD $4.80 to $6 each).  I bought the bracelets in Singapore for at least SGD $14 each (and that’s during a sale!).  I even found the exact same copy I bought in Singapore a year back!!

 Here's a closer look at the necklaces and bracelets.

Wool Cardigan

These cardigans were selling at THB $100= SGD $4 each.  I bought the same one in a different color in Singapore at This Fashion for at least $12 some years back.

Hand-made Cloth Hairclips

These beautiful hair clips were selling at THB $20 = SGD $0.80 each.

Hairbands and Hairclips

We found these at a shop at the accessories floor. Hairbands cost THB $45 baht each (SGD $1.80) and Hairclips were priced at THB $35 (SGD $1.40) each.

Dresses

These dresses cost THB $250 (SGD $10) each, and were made of thick cotton material.

Skirts

THB $250 (SGD10) each.  Made of thick and very good quality material with an inner lining.

Belts

THB $100 (SGD $4) each.

Shoes

4 pairs of heels and flats which averages out to be about THB $250 (SGD $10) each.  

I got them all at the same shop (9 to Five) over 2 separate days.  The shop is located near the escalator which links Platinum Mall to Novotel Bangkok Platinum (near Black Canyon Coffee).  This is my favourite shoe shop at Platinum Mall, because their designs are chic and pretty and though the shop front is small, I can always find a new attractive design.  The only problem is, they only stock one pair in each size for each design! So your luck is out if your size is taken.

Umbrella

THB $250 (SGD10) each.  I am always on the lookout for good umbrellas in Singapore, because of the fact that I hate to be subjected to sunlight.   Most brollies in Singapore do not have this dome-shaped contour which is so good for blocking sunlight from the face.  Not only that, this brolly is also customized to protect from strong wings, because its skeleton is made of very good heavy duty material.  The only downside was that the heavy duty material made the umbrella very heavy.

Blouse

THB $120 (SGD $4.80).  Made of silky smooth material.

With that, I believe my annual budget for shopping has been exceeded.  But I’ll make sure we’re back next year for more! :)

Hotels near Platinum Fashion Mall

Novotel Bangkok Platinum is the best hotel to stay if you are going to shop at Platinum Fashion Mall all day as it is just above the mall and provides direct link access to the mall!

Besides Novotel Bangkok Platinum, some of the popular hotels near the Platinum Mall include Amari Watergate Bangkok, Glow Pratunam Hotel and Centara Grand at CentralWorld.

Not sure which hotel to book? Do check out the Best Hotel Deals of the Day in Bangkok now!

How to get to Platinum Fashion Mall?

Platinum Fashion Mall is located between Siam and Chit Lom Skytrain Stations.  There will be a fair bit of walking from either station, but the good news is that the walk is lined with other shopping malls.

Siam Paragon and Siam Center malls at Siam Station.

We tried both ways, and we prefer to walk from Chit Lom Station as you will pass by the Erawan Shrine and Central World Shopping Mall as you walk towards Platinum Mall.

From Chit Lom Station, exit the BTS station but do not get down to street level.  Instead, continue to walk on the sky bridge. There are clear maps and directions along the skybridge, so there's no way you will be getting lost! :)

From the skybridge you will be able to see Central World Shopping Mall.

Take the exit at Central World, get down to street level and start walking towards Platinum Mall. Along the way, you will need to cross a stinky canel.  The entire walk from Central World to Platinum Mall will take about 7 mins. Once you are familiar with this route, you can actually walk inside the air conditioned Central World and exit from the back door of the Naraya shop before continuing your walk towards the Platinum Mall.

The whole walk from Chit Lom station would take around 10 to 15 minutes. You might want to consider staying at popular hotels near Platinum Fashion Mall such as Novotel Bangkok Platinum, Amari Watergate Bangkok, Glow Pratunam Hotel and Centara Grand at CentralWorld.

Stay tuned as we will be bringing you some survival tips for shopping as well as food options at Platinum Mall.

This post is part of our Bangkok 3 days 2 nights short weekend trip itinerary. Do check out the full itinerary and our reviews here.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To receive notifications on updates, subscribe to our blog via RSS feed and email.

Like us on Facebook @ Discover. Book . Travel and follow us on Twitter @Discoverbooktra!

Do check out our Flickr photos & Youtube videos too!