I love shopping just like the next gal, but when travelling, I try to control my sprees to a minimum to keep my luggage at bay. In Bangkok, however, going to the mall doesn’t have to mean shopping. There are so many other things to do in the shopping centres that they are worth visiting even if you don’t plan on buying anything. Here is a list of my favourite malls that you don’t really need to shop in to have fun.

Siam Paragon

Location: few steps from Siam BTS

This is by far one of the most famous and crowded shopping centres in Bangkok. It is home to some of the top global brands, such as Luis Vuitton, Gucci and the likes. There are also regular shops, for example H&M and Uniqlo. But it’s not shopping that we are after. At the top floor of Siam Paragon you will find an extra luxurious movie theatre – Paragon Cineplex. Chandeliers, dimmed lights and a wide variety of screening rooms await you here. The real highlight for me though was the basement food hall. It is amazing! There is every type of restaurant you could wish for, from quick street food, to cuisines from Korea, Japan, India, and more. Last but not least, just outside Siam Paragon, you will find a really cool walkway, with a fountain, a quirky statue and season shows, food expos, performances and more.

Siam Discovery

Location: also only a few steps from Siam BTS

Just across the square from Siam Paragon, you will find Siam Discovery. This to me is more of a museum than a shopping mall. Unless you are have deep pockets, there isn’t much most people can afford to buy here. But that’s no reason to avoid the place. The design of Siam Discovery holds its own! It has a luxurious modern look, with strict black and silver lines and high ceilings. Additionally, you can take a look at many beautiful lines by local Thai designers. And, just like Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery hosts many activities and events. The last time I was there, they had a free photo booth for Songkran. There is typically something new every month.

MBK

Location: between Siam and National Stadium BTS

MBK is one of the top malls for actual shopping in Bangkok, since it’s sort of a giant indoor market. I really don’t like it, to be quite frank. There is chaos, many knock-offs and you need to bargain, but you are not in a real market, so the motivation is just not there. However, it is still a great place to check out from the outside. The building is across the street from the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre, connected to it through bridges and platforms. These make for an amazing photo-shoot. The MBK building itself has a giant cartoonish mural running all around it, with some great installations.

Siam Square One

Location: steps away from Siam BTS on the opposite side of Rama I Road from Siam Paragon.

The last one on the Siam list, is Siam Square One. The reason I really love it here is due to its cool hipster design. The building has an uneven geometric architecture and the 7-floor mall is connected by a confusing array of escalators. Everywhere are pink and black sharp edges, and the whole place makes it very easy to get lost in. The quirky stylish shops complement the entire building design, while the many great eateries spread out throughout the shopping centre are worth hunting around for.

EmQuartier

Location: steps away from Phrom Phong BTS

For a little free luxury, head to EmQuartier at Asok. The 10 floors of this circular shopping centre are connected to two other buildings, so it’s easy to get lost. But the main building of EmQuartier is quite unique. It has a 4-story restaurant hall at the top of the building, with many high-end places to try fantastic cuisine and desserts. But the real highlight here is the 5^th floor garden and terrace. All of a sudden, you escape the chaos of Bangkok and find yourself in a relaxed garden, with greenery, small fountains and even a petite lake. From the terrace, you get a spectacular view out over the city, which is particularly great for viewing the sunset.

Terminal 21

Location: steps away from Asoke BTS

The last mall on my list is Terminal 21. Designed like an airport terminal, it has neat areas stylized like different cities around the world. One is a Moroccan bazaar, another is a quaint San Francisco neighbourhood, you will also find a typical London double-decker and a Caribbean themed basement. A good reason to come to Terminal 21 besides its cool, but somewhat kitschy design, is the giant food court on the top floor. While it doesn’t replace Bangkok’s amazing night markets, it comes pretty close in terms of variety and chaotic atmosphere. And, while this is a bit of cheating, it is honestly a really great place to shop. Besides your regular brands, there are two market-like floors – one for guys and one for gals. They feel like hipster designer market stalls, but with air-conditioning and set (yet affordable) prices.

So here you have it, my ultimate list of Bangkok’s shopping centers, where you don’t really need to shop. All of these regularly put on events and activities, particularly on the weekend, including food fairs, performances, exhibitions and more. For real shopping though, do check out the Chatuchak weekend market, MBK and Central World.