Ma Boong Khron Center, Bangkok Overview

From top branded to local products in clothing, furniture, accessories, luggage, electronics, stationery, and many other things, one can find it all at the MBK Center. Besides shopping, you can dig into scrumptious food at two large food courts. They also have an entire floor dedicated to entertainment, with a cinema and a 3D art museum.

With more than 2000 shops under one roof and a footfall of more than 1,00,000 shoppers every day, MBK is a shopping hub that you can't ignore in Bangkok. When it first opened in 1985, it was the largest mall in the city. Now it may not be the largest, but it is still a vibrant shopping arena that has budget deals for every kind of traveller.

Shopping at MBK Center

If you tired of walking around markets in the heat and are in desperate need for an air-conditioned respite, MBK is the place for you. While MBK is a shopping haven where you can get some excellent deals, you still need to haggle.

Brands in the Mall
Until and unless something is being sold in a branded shop of the same name, it can be a fake. However, if you are not a brand conscious person, you can get some great deals at the shops here.

Highlights of the Mall
Head to the 4th floor if you're here to shop for gadgets and electronics. The four-storey Tokyu department store is the biggest store at MBK. Even if it's to window-shop, you must check out this Japanese store once. On the Ground floor, there is an open space in the centre where discounted products are sold for 30% to 50% off. If you terrible at haggling but want to pick up some inexpensive things, this is the place for you. Also, go with ample time in your hand. Its 2000 shops are spread over eight floors, so make sure you have enough time and energy to look around.

Visitor Tips

The souvenirs are often overpriced at MBK, so avoid buying them here if you must purchase a relic to remember at MBK, bargain as much as possible.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, so you can walk around and enjoy your shopping spree without the hassle of aching feet or uncomfortable stares.
If buying a phone or electronics, make sure the warranty is valid in your country. For phones also check if the SIM slot is compatible with the SIM cards of your service provider.
If you have small children with you, hold them and keep an eye on them while you are at MBK. Getting lost, particularly for kids, is a real possibility, and finding them is going to be a nightmare in this mega shopping mall.
Although most shops are supposed to stay open till 10:00 PM, many smaller shops close earlier. So plan your visit to MBK accordingly. Don't go there post 9:00 PM.
The taxi line at the closing time tends to be very long and will end up wasting your precious holiday time. So if going by road leave a little earlier than closing time, book some transport in advance, or be ready to negotiate the price with a tuk-tuk close by. A direct walkway links MBK to National Stadium BTS Skytrain Station; you can always take that if you leave in time.
Don't settle for the first thing you see; look around at multiple shops. Before buying something, always bargain.
Beware of fakes brands if you are a brand conscious shopper.

Food and Restaurants

Authentic Savouries on the 6th Floor
MBK offers a wide variety of restaurants and eating options. There all the known fast-food chains, but if you are looking for a more authentic experience head to the food court on the 6th floor and try out some of the local cuisines. The prices at the food court are reasonable, and there is a coupon system that makes the entire process convenient and seamless. The food here caters to the western travellers' needs, so if you are looking for spicy local food, street food is still the best option. But if you are dying of hunger, and want to savour some local dishes, the 6th-floor food court is the best option at MBK.

Global Cuisines on the 5th Floor
There is also an International Food court on the 5th floor called. This has a variety of cuisines to suit every traveller's needs and is also much less crowded and quieter. Alcoholic drinks can only be purchased from a vendor on the 5th floor, but these aren't that great. Better to stick to non-alcoholic beverages while you are MBK.

Other Food Stalls
Apart from the food courts, there are food stalls on the Ground floor and some restaurants on the 7th floor. Yana, Kongju, The Fifth Food Avenue, Maidcafe Maidreamin are some of the restaurants worth checking out at this mall.