Pratunam/Patpong - directions please

Hi

A few questions here ....

I only have two nights in Bangkok. Apart from shopping at MBK shopping centre, I have read up that Pratunam and Patpong are other good shopping places.

I am staying at Pullman King Power hotel - what is the best way of getting to these places ?

My other question then, as I only have a limited time, would it be better to shop at Pratunam than Patpong ? As it sounds like they sell similar items.

My main items that I am looking for are the billabong, quicksilver boardshorts and t-shirts and handbags. What price should I expect to pay for the boardshorts %26amp; t-shirts?

Has anyone shopped for these items in KL as I am also going here, should I wait and purchase in KL rather than Bangkok ?

Thanks a lot

Pratunam/Patpong - directions please

If you%26#39;re going to Platinum Mall %26amp; MBK there won%26#39;r be much diferent in what you are calling Patpong - Silom Night market. But it can be fun, take the skytrain to Saladaeng, or grab a taxi for about 100 baht or less.

Pratunam/Patpong - directions please

Pratunam is much bigger than Patpong and the range is more diversified and better. However, I highly recommend, if possible, you do both. Patpong is a night market and the shopping and especially the surrounds (night clubs) can be an experience!! Even if you just go to have a look.

a 10-15min walk from Pullman to Pratunam and an extra 30min-35min walk from Pratunam to Patpong :)

You can actually bus it to patpong from pratunam. air cond bus 514, I use it when im too lazy to walk to the skytrain.

The best way to get to those places is to take either sky train or taxi. we walked sometimes, but it would be no fun when you have to walk for hours (including time when we did shopping around)

Patpong night market is ideal for budget buyers but rather expensive for those, who do not like to bargain much. It depends on how much your patience is for bargaining. Some sellers can be very rude to you if you just stop at their little shop for quite long without extracting some money from your pocket. But remember that just some of them will be that hassling while others are rather polite (that I personally suppose to be better case in Vietnam). Prices for T-shirt will shock you much if do not prepare your self with good negotiating skills. Stuff quoted at 300 baht will eventually go down by 100baht at the end. Keep your big smile on your faces and some more patience and friendly bargaining will help you get what you want at amazing price. Really cheap and nice stuff here. Awesome-looking cloth and ethnic bags are a must buy here.

Always take the skytrain to the nearest station to you final location. Just remember that the skytrain closes at midnight but then again most of the malls are closed by then, but from the sounds of it you will be going to outdoor markets mainly around Pratunam and Patpong. Though taxi is fairly cheap in Bangkok there are many times in the day when the traffic is horrible, so I try to take the skytrain or MRT as much as possible.

To MBK take the skytrain to National Stadium, the sign should direct you to Tokyu which is the store closest to the skytrain. Just in case the signs confuse you when you get off the sky train when you get to the bottom of the stairs turn right and you will see MBK.

To Patpong go on the skytrain to Saladeng

I think the closest skytrain station to Pratunam is Ratchadewi, but sorry not positive cause I%26#39;m not much of a shopper, then taxi to the Pratunam area.

Here are some maps you may find really useful

For the below hover over each dot which represents the skytrain station and click on it and a small map will open and show you some things around the station. I stress some things and even though what you are looking for may not show it may actually really be there, but you will probably have to google for further info.

http://www.bts.co.th/en/map.asp

And for the MRT, this map is similar to the above for the underground MRT. If you click on the

station on the left of the screen a map will pop up in the middle of the screen showing some of the things around the station.

www.bangkokmetro.co.th/map.aspx鈥?/a>

This is also a excellent map because it shows the MRT and the Skytrain routes on one map. Skytrain is the thicker green lines and the MRT is the thinner blue line

http://www.bangkok-city.com/skytrain.htm

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