Whilst nominally an IT shopping mall, Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza offers a lot more than mere electronic equipment.

On a busy day, the plaza’s hustle and bustle drops many jaws. From floor to ceiling, the five-storey building on the New Phetchaburi Road acts as a kind of homing beacon. Residents and visitors alike swarm to pick up the latest cut-price hard- and software, as well as more illicit, under-the-counter material.

Movies, games, music, programmes, phones… The savvy buyer can purchase all in one form or another from the bright and flashing stalls. More often than not, the punter will be given the option of the legitimate or not-so-legitimate version of whatever they seek. And for those with more exotic tastes, a tout will no doubt appear from nowhere to offer ‘naughty movies’ for sale.

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The Plaza might not necessarily be on many tourists’ wishlists. It’s still worth a visit, though, if only to catch a glimpse of Bangkok’s roaring electronics trade and give your synapses a good tweaking.

Good things to know:

Opening Hours: Daily, 10.00 am to 9.00 pm.

Location: Petchaburi Road, situated opposite Pratunam’s City Complex

How to get there: From BTS Chidlom, Pantip is a ten-minute walk down Ratchadamri Road past Central World on your left, before heading over the Saen Saeb canal and left on Phetburi Road. The Plaza should be on your left after two blocks. Alternatively, river taxis operate close by – request the stop for Pratunam.