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Pratunam (Thai: ประตูน้ำ) is a shopping district in Bangkok. It is a major market area with thousands of fashion stores that sell wholesale with cheap prices guaranteed, especially if you buy in bulk. Pratunam is used in a broad sense here, and it also includes the areas of Victory Monument, Ratchathewi and Makkasan.
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ตึกใบหยก 2
Standing tall, the mainly residential-purposed Baiyoke Tower II was the tallest building in Thailand from its completion in 1997 until it was surpassed by the MahaNakhon near Silom Road in 2016. There's an observatory behind a huge window at the 77th floor and a revolving roofdeck outside at the 84th floor. The revolving roofdeck is practical for viewing different parts of the city, but not so handy if you're trying to make some quality pictures of the city's skyline. It is best to visit just before dusk and watch the sun go down from the tower. Afterwards, you can visit the Rooftop Bar at the 83rd floor, which has a very romantic atmosphere and can best be recommended for couples or those in love. You can sit beside a huge window that gives a good view over the city, and professional bands perform nightly. Be early as the seats fill up quickly after dark.
บ้านบางกอกดอลส์และตุ๊กตานานาชาติ
This museum was established by Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol in 1956 after completing a course on doll making at the Osawa Doll School in Tokyo. Her intention with this project was to establish a workshop where hand-made dolls could be created using local materials, and to establish a museum that would promote the Thai doll industry. A part of the workshop is devoted to a private collection of about 400 dolls from around the world. These can be grouped in several categories, including Khon dolls, hill tribe dolls, Thai rural dolls and Khon mask miniatures. Dolls are sold at reasonable prices. Visiting takes you to a very local community slumbering between elevated expressways.
วังพญาไท
The Phaya Thai Palace has been built by King Rama VI, who lived here from 1919 during the last years of his reign. After his death, the palace was turned into one of the most luxurious hotels in Southeast Asia, a radio station and a military hospital. The palace is worth seeing, as there is a lot to take in. The most important building, the Phiman Chakri Hall, is made in a beautiful Art Nouveau style with silk wallpapers and ornate murals. Every Saturday, volunteers give two free guided tours through the palace that take about two hours. It is also possible to visit on weekdays, but you must call ahead to make an appointment and pay 500 baht.
วังสวนผักกาด
This complex of five Thai-style houses was once the residence of one of Thailand's leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It houses an extensive collection of Asian art and antiques, including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilization, and an impressive collection of sea-shells. The Khon Museum, about the traditional Thai masked dance, and the Traditional Thai Music Museum have also been established here. Sometimes known as the "Lettuce Farm Palace" in English after a too-literal translation of the name.
พิพิธภัณฑ์แรงงานไทย
This museum is located at the former office of the labour union of the State Railway of Thailand. On display are items showing the 300-year history of the Thai labour movement. There is also a library with books and research reports on labour. You must call in advance if you plan on visiting with a group.
อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ
This monument was constructed in 1941 by military dictator Plaek Pibulsongkhram to commemorate the 59 Thais who lost their lives in the short and inconclusive Franco-Thai War. It resulted in Thailand annexing some territories in western Cambodia and northern and southern Laos. However, Pibulsongkhram was kicked out in 1944 and the patch of land gained by Thailand was handed back to Laos and Cambodia in 1945, making the "victory" a little hollow. These days this spiky Bangkok landmark is better known as Bangkok's largest local bus hub. If travelling north by Skytrain, you'll be treated to a 180-degree curving panorama of the monument, and this is the best view you can get as actually reaching the base of the monument would require passing through a triple-laned traffic circle maelstrom of buses. The public toilets at the major bus stop directly across from the monument costs 2 baht per entry.
เซ็นจูรี่ เดอะมูฟวี่ พลาซ่า
This cineplex and shopping mall opened in 2005, and is the best cinema of the Victory Monument area. You can find the box office on the third floor, while the movie theatres are on the fifth floor. They offer all the major Hollywood releases and some lesser known Thai movies (subtitled in English). While waiting for your movie to start, you might want to browse around the rest of the shopping mall or have something to eat. The basement has a wide array of small garment shops.
ไก่ตอนประตูน้ำ
Formerly Kai Ton Pratunam, it initially seems like a simple street food vendor—but it is always crowded as the guests rave about the food. It is touted as having Bangkok's best chicken rice (ข้าวมันไก่ khao man kai), which is quite similar to Hainanese chicken rice. The staff does not speak English and there is no English sign up, but the employees are easy to recognise as they wear pink clothing, a white cap and a chicken logo on the back.
แสบX2
Popular for wonton noodles and wonton soup. The whole place is air-conditioned, which is a relief after long shopping days in the Pratunam Market. Try the braised pork trotters.
Café de Norasingh is a luxurious cafe housed in the royal reception room of the Phaya Thai Palace. It is completely decorated in Viennese style, a setting very popular during the reign of King Rama V in the early twentieth century. This has to be one of the most elegant ways to have a cup of coffee in the city. They also serve small snacks.
โค-โค วอล์ค
This is basically an outdoor covered compound with a dozen bars, pubs and live music performances. Some of the better bars include Sawaree Terrace, Co-Co Beach, 69, The Tube and Chilling House Cafe. It is mostly popular among Thai university students. In the middle of it all is a large Korean-style BBQ that offers "all-you-can-eat" for 99 baht.
แซ็กโซโฟน ผับ
One of the best pubs to catch live playing jazz and blues bands. The interior is beautifully decorated with old guitars and cymbals. Even while it's crowded, the atmosphere is cosy. It is very much focused on experiencing the music, as the public sits and stands in a semicircle around the band. Don't come here for the food, as it is not great and overpriced. Beers and cocktails (the latter served in a saxophone glass) are also more expensive than elsewhere in Bangkok.
เดอะร๊อคผับ
This is the home of rock and metal in Bangkok. The owner is a rock musician and is dedicated to make this the place to be for rock and metal aficionados. Two bands play every night. The first one starts playing at 21:30 and the second one at 23:45. Expect a lot of Metallica and Nirvana covers.
Air-con 8-bed dorm. Free lockers, free Wi-Fi. Free breakfast.
โรงแรมพีเจ วอเตอร์เกต
A decent hotel in the Ratchaprarop area. Rooms have air-conditioning and TV, and there's an internet café, restaurant and bar in the main area. Most staff speak at least some English, and the manager is fluent. Online booking will give you a room as cheap as 1,000 baht, which is far better than the walk-in price (and breakfast is included).
โรงแรมอมารีวอเตอร์เกท
Modern four-star hotel with all the facilities you'd expect, including a few restaurants good enough to attract non-guests. It's a stone's throw from Pratunam, across the Saen Saep Canal if you're walking from Ratchaprasong.
โรงแรม ใบหยกสกาย กรุงเทพ
The tallest hotel of Southeast Asia. 673 guest rooms, all with a phenomenal view over the city. It has an extensive breakfast with more than 100 dishes to choose from. Rooms are spacious but many are in need of redecoration. The staff are very helpful. The only downer is the long waiting time to get into the lift.
โรงแรม เซ็นจูรี่ พาร์ค
Good quality four-star hotel with spacious rooms. The fitness and pool areas are nice, and there's a good view of the city if you're sleeping at the higher floors. Breakfasts are particularly nice with a large selection of Western and Asian cuisine.
โรงแรม ซิทอิน ประตูนาม
Smack in the heart of Pratunam, close to the Baiyoke Tower II. The rooms are small, but cosy and modern, and feature 32 inch LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi. They also have a great spa and a cafe serving vegetarian-only dishes. There's a free tuk-tuk shuttle service to nearby shops and BTS stations.
โรงแรมอินทรา รีเจนท์
Decent four-star hotel with spacious rooms and a nice view. The staff are friendly, but you don't get a lot for breakfast. Wi-Fi is available for an additional charge. Most people stay here for its close location to the garment markets.
โรงแรมพูลแมน บางกอก คิง พาวเวอร์
Opened in 2007, this modern luxury hotel may be better value than other similarly priced hotels, though the buffet breakfast is wanting compared to other luxurious hotels. An impressive lobby and the more-than-ample smiling staff will greet you on arrival. The rooms reflect the five-star status of the hotel, with the executive levels offering many extras including drinks and canapés in the evening. Next door is the King Power Duty Free complex, which has a first floor boutique beer garden, plus the usual large range of duty free goods. In the evening you could visit the chic wine bar that is also open to non-guests.
เดอะ สุโกศล
A locally owned five-star hotel with Thai decor near ARL and Skytrain stations. Free Wi-Fi. Price includes breakfast.
ซิตี้คอมเพล็กซ์
While walking along Phetchaburi Road, you definitely cannot miss the enormous six-storey City Complex. It is one of the most popular malls in Pratunam that is specifically marketed towards teenage girls and 20-somethings. Most of the shops are selling fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories, but there are also a few of them dedicated to cosmetics, jewellery and crafts. The fifth floor has a modest food court.
อินทรา สแควร์
Indra Square is an indoor shopping mall with more than 300 retail and wholesale outlets. The first floor is mostly about fashion, silk and accessories, and has some fast-food outlets. The clothes here are remarkably cheaper than elsewhere in the city, and unlike City Complex, there is a decent supply for men and children as well. The second floor has a more diverse set of products, including arts, crafts, toys and mobile phones. If you're getting hungry, there's a food centre on the second floor. There are some clothing shops at the ground level of the nearby Baiyoke Tower II as well.
กรุงทองพลาซ่า
Krungthong Plaza is another big shopping mall with apparel sold at wholesale prices. The mall has more than 600 shops inside, almost all of them about clothing, shoes, bags, cosmetics and accessories. There is an excellent food court on the fourth floor.
เมโทร แฟชั่น
This brand new wholesale shopping mall opened its doors in 2009. Its seven floors accommodate 370 wholesale vendors selling fashion apparel, bags, footwear, cosmetics and accessories. There is a food centre on the third floor and a branch of McDonald's on the ground floor outside.
เดอะพาลาเดียม เวิลด์ ช้อปปิ้ง, formerly Pratunam Center
Long alleyways of stalls with products like jewellery, fashion and souvenirs. Like elsewhere in Pratunam, prices are relatively low and good brands a rarity. It feels less cramped and crowded than other malls in the area, which is a plus, and it has some food outlets as well.
พันธุ์ทิพย์พลาซ่า
A six-floor shopping mall devoted to computer gear, famous for its pirated media. The bootleg trade is much more low-key than it used to be, but software and DVDs are still widely available. It is also a good place for smartphones, gadgets, cameras, tablets, USB drives, printers, MP3-players, etc. Test out whatever you are buying as there are lots of flaky goods here. If you want to be safe, buy at the official brand stores, though prices are similar as in Western countries (or even higher!). And keep in mind that the warranty is only valid within Thailand.
แพลทินัม แฟชั่นมอล์
A great place for fashion shopping, especially as it is air-conditioned. Many of the 1,300 shops here are also at the Chatuchak Market on weekends. It is particularly interesting for women as the shops mostly sell clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, gifts and make-up. A lot of shops (but not all) are geared towards export and wholesale. There's a huge and very good food court at the sixth floor of the mall. It can get very busy, especially around noon and dinnertime.
ตลาดประตูน้ำ
The Pratunam Market is an immense open-air garment market, and although it is geared towards exporters, anyone can shop here. Most of the items for sale are t-shirts, dresses, shorts, jeans, shoes and accessories. You could easily spend half a day here if you wish, as the area has a stunning amount of more than 4,000 shops. While the market is officially open till 18:00, many shops already close around 16:00. The market spread out on the streets around Baiyoke Tower I, and the ground floor of that tower also has a few clothing shops. In the beginning of the evening, a night market is set-up in the streets along Baiyoke Tower I that stays open until after 02:00.
By boat
If you're staying around Khao San Road area, the Saen Saep Express Boat is your best bet to get to Pratunam.
By bus
Pratunam is one of the best-connected districts and a hub for many bus routes to the north along Ratchaprarop rd, east and west along Phetchaburi rd.
By foot
Pratunam is easily reachable on foot. It is a 500-m walk north from Ratchaprasong intersection which is considered the heart of Bangkok (800m east of Siam Square).
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