History
Siam Paragon was built on the former site of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel, which was demolished in 2002 at the end of its lease. The property, leased for 30 years, is owned by the Crown Property Office and was once the royal park of Sa Pathum Palace. The mall opened on December 9, 2005, at around 15 billion baht or US$450 million. It covers an area of 52 rai (8.3 ha; 21 acres).
Location
Siam Paragon is located on Rama I Road in Pathum Wan District and other commercial areas. It is adjacent to Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center and across from Siam Square. The MBK Center is also nearby. An elevated walkway under the BTS Skytrain tracks connects Siam Paragon to the Ratchaprasong Junction, where Central World, Gaysorn and several other malls and hotels are located.
Siam Paragon is one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls, home to a wealth of high-end international fashion brands, the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, a 16-screen cineplex and a wide range of international cuisine. Siam BTS Skytrain Station, the hub of the 2 BTS lines, is considered by many to be the heart of Bangkok. Considering that the mall has over 250 stores, the layout is logical and relatively compact compared to the sprawling CentralWorld mall. Close. Still, this mall mainly caters to luxury goods for wealthy Thais and international visitors with money to splurge. If you are looking for something extraordinary, Siam Paragon is the right place to find it.
Main Floor
Entering through the stunning glass and steel atrium, flagship stores from designer brands such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Prada occupy prime positions around the main escalators, each struggling to draw attention with ornate window displays. The unique products displayed at Siam Paragon rival anything else in Bangkok or even the entire region. This is where the rich come in. See lines of people queuing outside the door, waiting to catch a glimpse of the season’s new line. Bring your credit card with you, though, as this luxury doesn’t come cheap.
First Floor
If shops without price tags on their products make you nervous, go to the first floor, where the premium shops are located on the main street. Again, prime locations in the glass-walled atriums are dominated by brands like Paul Smith, Armani, and Hugo Boss, but this gives way to cheaper brands further inside the mall. GAP and H&M, among many others, have huge stores on this floor, offering more everyday items for budget-conscious shoppers who still demand cutting-edge style. It’s also worth watching for seasonal deals throughout the mall, as you may be lucky enough to snag a designer bargain.
Second & third floor
The second and third floors are dedicated to lifestyle and entertainment, with a mix of beauty salons, home appliances, luxury home furnishings showrooms, luxury car brands, unique supercar exhibits, and the most extensive and best range in foreign languages. Bookshop in Bangkok: Kinokuniya. For those in the market for the latest audio gear, both Bang & Olufsen and Bose have second-floor Thai showrooms with a full range of products for personal and professional use.
Fourth floor
In addition to a growing number of restaurants and eateries spilling out of the enormous gourmet paradise on the ground floor (scroll down for details). The fourth floor contains most of the electronics and merchandise any shopper will need. While it’s true that some items can be found cheaper elsewhere, with Siam Paragon, you’re guaranteed the latest technology, top-notch advice, customer service, and installation and setup help for the technophobes. It is reassuring that most stores are official retailers and the products are always genuine, unlike other malls.
Fifth floor
Somewhat confusingly, the level adjacent to the hallway is called the Main Floor, although it is above ground. The floors above are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors connected to the Cineplex and its 15th floor. Big screens, the IMAX theatre, Blue-O Rhythm and bowling facilities, and the Royal Paragon Exhibition Hall are occupied. We recommend asking for a map at one of the many information desks for a quick orientation.
VIP Cinema Experience
A relatively new addition to the world-class top-floor cinema is the Paragon Cineplex. Take the traditional cinematic experience to a new level of luxury. Think of it as an upgrade to First Class on a long-haul flight. For a premium ticket, you get deep seats on leather sofas with motorized adjustable footrests, complimentary snacks and drinks, and a blanket so you can snuggle up close to the bed to see the latest movie releases on a stunning digital screen. The 2-person sofas are well-spaced and designed to make your experience private and romantic.
