Shopping in Pattaya: An Honest Guide

I'll be honest: Pattaya isn't really a place for shopping. But if you want to browse, here's where I'd go.

Is Pattaya good for shopping?

Not really. Most of the shopping people do here is for essentials. It isn't cheap either. For clothes and similar things, I'd say shopping in the UK can work out less expensive. You wouldn't come to Pattaya for the shopping.

Central Festival

If you do want to shop, start at Central Festival on Beach Road. It has all the usual stores, including sports shops like Supersports, and plenty of big brand names.

Terminal 21

Next, Terminal 21. It's much bigger, with a whole floor of restaurants and a food court near the top, and a different mix of shops, including smaller boutique-style stores that are quite interesting to browse.

Thepprasit Night Market

You have to go at least once. It's the biggest market in Pattaya and an experience in itself. You could easily spend two or three hours walking round. It's on in the evenings, and it's at its biggest from Friday to Sunday, so check before you go.

Should you haggle?

These days, more stalls put the price on the product, which I prefer, and then there's less room to haggle. If there's no price, then yes, haggle. Assume the first price they give you is them trying it on, and you can normally get a better deal.

What about fake designer goods?

You don't see them nearly as much as you used to. The days of stalls everywhere selling copy bags, watches and football shirts are mostly gone.

My advice

Enjoy the malls and the night market for what they are, a few hours out, but don't plan a trip around shopping. Spend the money on the food, the beaches and the day trips instead.

For more, read things to do in Pattaya, is Pattaya expensive? and getting around Pattaya.