tourismthailand blog

Thailand’s Best-Loved Departmental Store - Central Chidlom (Bangkok)

Bangkok is a truly “Shoppers’ Paradise“. There are many shopping areas throughout the city from Siam Square to Sukhumvit Road featuring stylish shopping malls, department stores as well as bustling open-air street bazaar. Located right at the heart of Bangkok’s premier shopping avenue next to Chitlom BTS station stands Central Childom, the Flagship store of Thailand and Southeast Asia’s leading department store chain. Boasting over 60 000 square meters of world-class shopping space, it is one of Thailand’s best-loved department stores.

Central Exclusive Label - DeFry01 (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Collectable Bears at Kid’s Department (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

You are really spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping in Central Chidlom. The store offers an incredible array of luxury brand names from International and local fashion houses, beauty products, chilldren’s wear and accessories and many other items exclusive to Central Chidlom.  Beautiful home furnishings and decor that will reflect your homes personal style and ambiance and exquisite oriental handicrafts satisfy the more artistically inclined. SuperSport offers a place for sport enthusiasts with a great selection of sports-related items from apparel and shoes to equipment and accessories. At B2S (7th floor), customers can find an extensive range of local and international books, stationery for home, office and school; music and movies from around the world,  all under one roof.

The Central Food Hall ( Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

The Premiere Lounge (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

The Central Food Hall designed by British design consultancy Fitch popular with expatriates offers a stunning array of fine foods and wines from around the world and it is an ideal place for food and drink grocery shopping. The Premiere Lounge located at the top floor (7th) is an exclusive facility for card members to rest while shopping at the store. There is even a tastefully furnished Muslim prayer room (6th floor) for those who need it. Limited reserved parking spaces are available for members on a first come, first served basis and as well as home delivery service for customers.

The Food Loft (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Greyhound Café, 3rd Floor, Central Chidlom Department Store

Besides shopping, the mall has a wide range of dining outlets that include local food and international cuisine housed in fancy restaurants and posh food courts such as Food Loft located on the top level offers a variety of freshly prepared gourmet dishes. This place is made up of kitchen “islands”, each with a different type of food available - there’s Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese and more. Thai food is still my favourite. You get a card with a barcode on it which gives you a 1000 baht credit-Just hand over the card every time you order something and pay as you leave, that’s simple. Personal service is important here and you will be served by helpful and friendly staff compared to other places.

Prestigious timepieces (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Central Annual Flower Show (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

The annual prestigious Central Watch Fair and Sale is one of the much anicipated events worth waiting for watch collectors. Central is also the first department store in Thailand that initiated a flower event and this event has been held on continuous basis for 15 years now. Every year, the entire 7-storey Central Chidlom shopping department store is turned into a magnificent heavenly garden of flowers and plants producing a number of stunning widow displays and each floor is beautifully decorated with fresh cut flowers, creating a relaxing ambience for shoppers. It is an event not to be missed.

Premium Thai silk collectables (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Lovely Homemade Aromatic Products (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

The first Central Department Store was established in Bangkok’s Wangburapha district in 1956. Until today, the Central Group of Companies has remained committed to the Founder’s vision. Samrit Chirathivat believed that success would come from honesty, hard work as well as the best services and products for Central’s customers. Its one-stop shopping concept, under which customers enjoy not only a staggering assortment of merchandise but also a vast variety of lifestyle services, continues to be the biggest draw for shoppers. Central Chidlom  remains a  firm favourite for locals and discerning visitors.

Central Chidlom offer a wide range of designer womens perfume, mens aftershave, skincare, cosmetics and gifts at great prices

Women’s shoe department (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Special Offer for TG passengers:

Simply present TG Boarding Pass and passport to get the Privileges Today - 31 Dec 2009 @ Central Chidlom. Pattaya Beach, Phuket and Zen Department Store. Offer for Non-Thai resident only.

Sexy Lingeries (Central Chidlom, Bangkok)

Getting There:

Central Chidlom
1027 Ploenchit Road
10330 Bangkok
Thailand

Opening Hours: Mon to Sun from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
View Map of Central Chidlom in a larger map

Baby hornbill sea turtle ( The  Sea Turtle Conservation Center ,Sattahip)

The Royal Thai Navy has played an important role in the protection of sea turtles since 1950 by avoiding training in certain areas during the sea turtle nesting season around Sattahip. As a result, it has helped a great deal with the conservation of hatchery areas.  The Sea  Turtle Conservation Center  at Sattahip was set up in 1992 and it is located on the beach inside the Royal Thai Navy under  the reponsibility of the Air and Coastal Defense Command  (ACDC)  Unit.

Information Center (The  Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Sattahip)

Hatchery ponds (The  Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Sattahip)

In the year 2000, the Thai navy has launched a nurturing program to protect the sea turtles.  The program involved nurturing turtles in a protected area before returning them back to the sea and the project also included the construction of the Information Center to educate the general public on the conservation and protection of the marine turtle species. The center is divided into  three areas: the media room, the exhibition area and the library.

3-6 months old baby hornbill sea turtle

I wanna go home…

Although there are some limitations in the conservation of sea turtles but with the full co-operation of the government, private sector, schools and general public, the center is able to nurture and release more than 20 000 turtles a year. Each year, more than 200 000 students and visitors particpate in various actiivties organised by the center.

The Sea Turtle Consevation Center (Sattahip)  is open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm

 “Giant Sea Turtle” at Sattahip

Getting There:

The Royal Thai Navy’s Sea Turtle Conservation Center
Sattahip, Chonburi
(about 30km from the tourist centre of Pattaya)

For more information, please call:
0-3843-1477, 0-2466-1180-1
ext 066-1035-6

Group Photo with the Thai Navy Officers (The  Sea Turtle Conservation Center (Sattahip, Chonburi))

 From left: Mr. Anusak Inthraphuvasak, Chairman of the Board of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau

TCEB announces the appointment of two new top executives- Chairman of the Board (Mr. Anusak Inthraphuvasak) and President (Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart). During a press conference, TCEB also shared its new organizational vision and its 7-year strategic plan to build competitiveness through the “Thai Team” initiative, a collaborative public-private partnership. The effort is expected to generate practical and long-term benefits and to increase confidence. This initiative will also press for policy and regulatory improvements to help drive industry growth and enhance convenience for group MICE visitors to Thailand. These efforts could generate up to 15-25% annual growth and 50 billion baht income with 500,000 MICE visitors annually.

In 2010, TCEB has been allocated a budget of 749 million baht, and has set a clear goal of 25 % growth in terms of both income and MICE visitors.