ICONSIAM is the kind of mall people visit even when they have nothing to buy. It sits on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River, a glass-and-light building that looks across the water at the old trading district of Charoen Krung. Inside you will find luxury flagships, a Japanese department store, an indoor floating market and one of the best riverside promenades in Bangkok.
It is open every day from 10am to 10pm, it is free to walk around, and it is one of the easiest places in the city to spend half a day without noticing the heat.
ICONSIAM opened on 9 November 2018 as a joint project between Siam Piwat, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC) and Charoen Pokphand Group. With more than 500,000 square metres of retail space, it is one of the largest shopping centres in Southeast Asia, and the riverfront complex also includes two residential towers and a hotel.
What makes it different from Bangkok's other big malls is the river. Boats pull up at its own piers, the terraces face the water, and in the evening the riverside park fills with people waiting for the fountain show.
If you only see one part of ICONSIAM, make it SookSiam. The ground floor has been turned into an indoor version of a Thai floating market, with small boats, wooden stalls and food and crafts from all of Thailand's 77 provinces. It is busy, loud and full of good things to eat: boat noodles, grilled skewers, northern sausage, mango sticky rice and plenty of regional snacks you won't easily find in central Bangkok. It is also a smart place to pick up souvenirs that were actually made in Thailand.
The upper floors hold the big international names, from luxury fashion houses to watch and jewellery boutiques, many in large flagship stores. ICONSIAM also has an Apple Store overlooking the river, and plenty of mid-range fashion and lifestyle brands for less formal shopping.
The Japanese department store anchors one side of the mall, with cosmetics, homeware, Japanese food and a supermarket. It is a good stop for gifts and for snacks to take home.
Restaurants run through every floor, but the best seats are on the river side. Book a table with a view for dinner, or simply grab a coffee on one of the terraces in the late afternoon and watch the boats go by.
The open-air park along the river is free to visit. In the evening, the ICONIC Multimedia Water Features put on a free show of fountains, lights and music, usually at around 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Times can change for weather or private events, so check the schedule on the day and arrive a little early for a good spot.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00am to 10:00pm (hours may change on public holidays)
Entrance: Free
Address: 299 Charoen Nakhon Soi 5, Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600
Phone: 02 495 7000
Time needed: Half a day if you plan to eat and stay for the fountain show
Tourist perks: Foreign visitors can pick up the ONESIAM Global Visitor Card for discounts across Siam Piwat malls; ask at the visitor lounge with your passport
By BTS: Take the BTS Silom Line to Krung Thon Buri, change to the Gold Line and ride one stop to Charoen Nakhon station, which connects directly to the mall. This is the most reliable way to avoid traffic.
By boat: Shuttle boats run between ICONSIAM and Sathorn Pier (next to BTS Saphan Taksin) and Si Phraya Pier. Fares and schedules have changed over the years, so check at the pier before you board. The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat also stops at the ICONSIAM pier, which makes it easy to combine the mall with temples further up the river.
By taxi or Grab: Convenient, but the roads around Charoen Nakhon can be slow in the evening and on weekends. Parking inside the mall fills up quickly.
Claim your VAT refund. Tourists flying out of Thailand can claim back VAT at shops showing the "VAT Refund for Tourists" sign. Spend at least 2,000 baht in one store on the same day, show your passport and ask for the refund form at the till.
Come hungry. SookSiam is one of the best places in Bangkok to try regional Thai food under one roof.
Visit on a weekday. Weekends, especially around SookSiam, get very busy. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
Stay until dark. The river views and the fountain show are at their best after sunset.
Take the boat at least one way. Arriving by river is half the fun and often quicker than the road.
Looking for more places to shop in Bangkok? Read our Chatuchak Weekend Market guide and our guide to One Bangkok. If you want to explore the Thonburi riverside on foot, see Kudeejeen Community.
Photo credits: Abasaa via Wikimedia Commons (public domain); Amiiiza via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Supanut Arunoprayote via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0); BunBn via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Trisorn Triboon (Tris T7) via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Chainwit. via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
299 Charoen Nakhon Soi 5, Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
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