Central Ladprao — Attraction in Chatuchak Subdistrict

It is the most discriminated, rude and arrogant team of staff I have ever seen in Bangkok or anywhere else. Staff and scalper are smuggling products together, and the store manager was very rude to tourist, deliberately lie and even yell to tourist customer so he can sell store products to scalpers. I was passing by Popmart and saw boxes of stock arriving, so I asked what they are and if they can be purchased by walk in. The store manager look at me up and down, then said they are Labubu, u wanna buy u queue. I said ok, where is the queue, he said, outside, I went outside, asked the guard, he pointed the queue to me. Not too many people, acceptable, so I went back of the queue. After about less than half an hour, queue start to move, a staff start to chat with people in the queue one by one and give them a card. When it’s my turn, he said in Thai, of course I don’t understand, so I start to ask if he speak English, then he said, we are out of stock today. I was like, ok, then I left. After dinner when I pass by again, I saw him still giving out cards, I walk towards him and ask why the queue back again, is it because there are more delivery? he said no, then I said to him I was there about 2 hours ago, u said the card is finished, why u giving out them now? and when I ask you, why you say no again? He said, I don’t recall see u before, today it’s over, you may not stand here,while he was saying this to me, another person came, they speak in Thai and he gave him a card. Till that point, I said to him, r u doing this because I am tourist? He said he doesn’t cares. You can speak to store manager. Then a scalper passing by with 2 carts of products. I was really upset and went up to the store manager, he yielded at me loudly, saying I don’t see you before and I don’t have cards now. Whatever u say is not going to change that. Then a scalper next to us saying to me I can sell to you with double the price. The store manager did not say anything and just left. The whole thing became really ridiculous, It’s not something must have, so I left, on my way out, another staff continue to give out cards to Thai people, not sure if they are customer or not, and some other tourist who speak English and Chinese going toward the store manager and try to ask how to queue, and the answer was, we finished today. Along the corridor, scalper are try to sell me a Labubu with double or triple price. I am ok with not able to buy when they out of stock, but in this case, I can’t not buy because I was discriminated, as I am not Thai. As a county and city that is heavily relay on tourism, a famous corporate with multiple real-estate and shopping malls, This is very disappointing yet...

After the age of 16, I've hated malls. In the US I see them as corporate, controlled, inauthentic sameness. The only thing that changes is the which floor the Target entrance is, and whether or not there is a water feature in the food court. But I'm changing a bit. While economically & culturally problematic, there are ways to make them better. This is one of my favorites.

Thai people live malls. There are many & they serve different functions. Bangkok can be hot so its a good place to stroll in comfort. Its good to remember that you don't have to buy anything in a mall so it's a free pastime.

But as a tourist in an unfamiliar environment, its a concentrated burst of culture. You can be semi anonymous. It pays for itself so there's no entrance fee. It's a laboratory & a social scene. You can study culture & practice intercultural skills. It's safe. You can meet a group of friends or go alone. Kids and elders are ok. You can stay all day or grab something to go. If you get hungry or thirsty, there is something.

And there are things that can make a mall better. More independent & traditional foods & wares. This mall has central food hall which is fantastic. 10 different mini kitchens with descriptions in English & Thai and the food is delicious & reasonably priced. They also decorate everything for holidays. Crass commercialism - but you can learn from it. Thai style includes making space for commerce everywhere. So there are frequently mini markets within open spaces in the mall. It makes it a unique experience every time. Imagine a farmer market in a mall. US style expansive space and homogeneous experience is quite different. Its more like a controlled atmosphere street market. It's interesting that the American mall is dying. Because its boring & predictable. I think that's just fine. But if we could take a cue from Thai malls, maybe they could...

In B.E.2511(A.D.1968) this area was bare land, few roads were constructed for traveling to the international airport (Don Mueang). Because of economics development plan, flyovers were constructed and Chatuchak Park still abandoned land.In B.E.2514(A.D.1971), Wipawadee Rangsit rd. yet 4 lanes and construction were done to cope with the economic growth. Since then many businesses sectors came to occupy land for investment, the Central Department store did too. With it is located in the very good site, there are many government offices nearby such as land transportation department, Civil Aviation Authority, PTT. HQ, Court offices( District, Criminal and Commercial Court) 2 universities, land Development Department and so on, including so many business offices around this area. As of such, very high purchasing power are based on people who work in these offices , besides the Wipawadee Rangsit rd. Is the super high way like the gate for travelers to further their journey to the Northern and Northeastern regions( travelers depend upon this department store for meeting point and buy necessary goods ). Apart of these, the north and northeastern land transport center(new Morchit) are situated within 5 kilometers from Central Ladprao Department Store, many passengers will stop over at this department store for their preparation, meeting friends and kill time for departures.Like the other branches of department stores under central groups , various kinds of goods are available including cinemas and foods centers. Adjacent to this department store, the Central Grand Hotel are convenient to welcome guests.More over this department store is very popular amongst foreigners tourists because the Chatuchak Park, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Or-Tor-Kor...