Pantip Plaza, Bangkok

This will be my Shopping Tips on Pantip Plaza

Staying in the Center of the Pratunam Area and at the Petchaburi Road. I have to see Pantip Plaza as I haven't been there in my previous visits to bangkok. The Pantip Plaza is touted to be the main IT and electronic Hub of Bangkok and part of it's popularity (or notoriety as some will say) is that they also sell assorted counterfeit and pirated and jail break DVD Movies, PC Programs like Microsoft Office or Windows 7 and other assorted PC and Xbox 360 Games and a lot more counterfeit stuff and the stalls here have no pretense in selling these items (no attempt to hide them) hehehe. Aside from the counterfeit stuffs, they also sell legitimate electronics and mobile phones and smart phones and even appliances for the home. there is also some restaurants and a mini food court in the comples and a large selection of street food outside,

open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.

What to buy: computer hardware, software, both pirated and legitimate accessories and other tech-related gadgets. mp3 ringing tones, jailbreak programs for Iphone, assorted pirated applications and computer programs, Pirated DVD's and Downloadable games and apps, the new 64 gigabyte SD and Micro SD Cards and a lot more.

What to pay: haggling is expected as the prices of the goods here, even the counterfeit ones are negotiable.

DVD Shop on the ground floor: This is a low quality bootleg shop owned or managed by crazy chinese woman. Actually even after you get burned buying your 200bht DVD or CD she tries to take it form you and won't give you the item. Also should have known better byt got a CD form them totally VIRUS INFECTED. Tried to let them know in a nice way that their merchandise ha a virus and she blew up at u and told us dirty farang get out of Thailand. However she is quite happy to take that Farang money.

If you are a traveller with any common sense STAY AWAY form this place you will get burned on basically anything you buy here. If you want reputable electronics go to the Airport Shopping Centre, Tescos or Robinsons. At least you can return things if they aren't right or exchange them PANTIP IS DODGY AS! I believe anyone posting good things about this place must own a shop here because it is good for nothing!

What to buy: Nothing worthwhile

What to pay: A fortune on garbage

Actually , it is nice to visit and we may get lots of hardwares & softwares we want. Nothing makes me so special there cauz I've been to so many places like that before . Anyway , I'm pleased to visit and buy something i want there .

What to buy: But , I can't find the hardware (Spy Camera or Spy Pen) there . I want that kind of hardware a lot . Now , I'm currently in Bangkok and wanna try for that product while I'm here . But I didn't find such hardwares there unfortunately . I may be careless for not seeing that products cauz tons of products make me tricks . :P So , could you plz tell me where can i get that kind of products in Bangkok ? Thanks in advance . Bye

What to pay: around 0 - 200 $

One place that I can recommend visiting if you are at all into technology is Pantip Plaza on New Phetchaburi Road in Ratchathewi.

The plaza is open from around 10am until 8-9pm every day. Each shops sets its own hours so it's best not to go right at opening or closing times.

Most of the stores I visited did business on a cash basis, no credit cards taken. But don't worry if you start getting low on funds, there are several ATMs in the plaza! Using cash means that vendors normally do not charge VAT...and you probably won't get a detailed receipt either.

What to buy: Pantip is a computer/technology geek's dream come true. The plaza doesn't look like much from the outside but once you step inside it's like coming into a technology wonderland. There are five stories of computer hardware, software, electronics, and accessory shops at very affordable prices.

If you need quick computer repairs or upgrades, Pantip is also the place to go as the shops have good service and great prices!

Pantip is sometimes the object of police raids as some stores do sell counterfiet software and Playstation games.

What to pay: You can normally save aroun $50-100 off normal retail prices on electronics and computer accessories but you really should know what you are going to buy and research the prices before going shopping.

The prices are slightly negotiable but you won't get most shops to budge much off the price because they are already discounted. To get an idea of retail prices, you can go to the top floor and look in Data IT...then go downstairs to the other smaller shops and check for discounts :)

This is the place to find anything to do with computers, hardware or software. It's a great place to violate copyright laws and get bootleg versions of software for PC and Macintosh, games for consoles, MP3's, VCD's, and DVD's. It is a large building in the Pratunam area of the city. You can find other gadgets (cameras and electronic doo-dads) and food too (S&P, KFC, and a small food court). It can get crowded and beware of the guys approaching you saying "sexy movie" and motion you to follow them. Could be a sting operation.

What to buy: Software CD's go for around 100-200 baht per disc. Some of these discs are crammed with thousands of dollars of software. There's no guarantee they will work, but most usually do (I've heard). Also, be careful about the movie DVD's. Some recent releases are actually videotaped in movie theaters and recorded on disc as a VCD (some customers report), so if it has not yet been officially released on DVD, beware.

There was a crackdown on pirated media, so Panthip, for a while, was not what it used to be. It is reverting back to normal now. The police make occasional busts on a vendor once in a while to show that they are working. Therefore, the software vendors do not keep their stock in the stores. Customers must wait 10-15 minutes after they pay, so that a runner can go down to a van or other secret storage area to retrieve the discs (so they say).

The Fortune Town IT Mall near the corner of Ratchadaphisek Road and Rama IX is a newer center for computer-related goods. There is a subway station nearby (Phra Ram IX). Service seems to be nicer here, it is not as crowded as Panthip, and it is cleaner too.

MBK Center also has a few software and game shops. It is also cell-phone heaven.

Check out the informative website below. Note the different types of movie-DVD's. Don't hate me for not sending you to this site in the first place.

What to pay: 100 or 200 baht per software CD.

Panthip Plaza is opposite the Amari Watergate Hotel on Petchburi Road.

Absolutely everything computer related can be found here over seven floors of computer buff's heaven.

The majority of computer software, Play Station games and DVD's are copies and prices range from 100 - 200 baht per disc.

You can buy legitimate software here as well though it can be very expensive and you also must be very careful that you are actually buying the real thing.

Pantip Plaza is an indoor IT shopping mall located on New Phetchaburi Road in Ratchathewi district, Bangkok, Thailand. The sale of counterfeit software and DVDs are some reasons behind this mall's success and notoriety. Pantip Plaza is open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. The stores within the plaza are free to operate their own hours. However, by 7:30 PM to 8 PM, many of the stores are already closing down. There are hundreds of small shops specializing in computer hardware, software and accessories, including parts, repair, modifications, networking, second hand, laptops, Macintosh and peripherals. Pantip has restaurants on the ground floors. Food courts on the mezzanine level and second floor offer a wide selection of Thai cuisine, desserts and drinks. General price range for foods is between 30 baht to 40 baht, desserts 15 baht.

What to buy: Computer hardware, software and accessories, including parts, repair, modifications, networking, second hand, laptops, Macintosh and peripherals.

There are so many computer and electronic shops all congregate inside this one mall that if you can find the parts or items that you want here, you will not find it anywhere else in Thailand! Just kidding... but seriously you will find the stuffs that you want here. Both hardware and software....

Pantip Plaza, IT City, located on the 7th floor, is an excellent place to sort out all your electronic needs and all goods come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

What to buy: The remaining six floors feature everything from computer parts to software, mp3 players, laptops and desktop computers.

What to buy: The mother of them all. Walking through the main entrance of this multi-storey IT complex, u'll be greeted with the latest copy software for sale (100B - 150B), along with DVD's, MP3 CD's, and anything else that can be put on disk. If u're looking for a new wireless mouse, USB stick, CD-Rom drive, latest toys, or whatever u can think of, sift ur way through as many vendors as possible to compare prices and find the best deal.

What to pay: Most IT brands are well-represented, and the safest places to buy from are credible and established outlets. The secret is to take ur time, and to compare prices. To put it simply, Pantip is a must, especially if u' e shopping on a budget. Even just for the experience, it's well worth ur time to explore the sheer variety of IT products on offer, packed from floor to ceiling.

There are lots of vendors for DVDs and software. It's best to shop around to get the best prices. For one purchase I got some software for 300 baht that most others were asking 500 or more baht. So it pays to be look around for making the purchase. Most of them seemed to be using the same catalogue to sell their stuff so you are going to get the same product regardless of who you buy it from.

All electronic stuff under one roof

What to buy: dvd's, X-box, PS2 games, nintendo's, computers, digital cameras... you name it you'll find it here. Be prepared to spend a few hours here.

What to pay: cheap, hagle of course... and do not buy on the first place, you will find cheaper around the corner and if not say the guy just before was cheaper, they'll match the prices.

On Petchburi Road,
near the Indonesian Consulate
Stands a building 5 stories high
filled with computer items,
from cables up to the latest laptop,
video games and software.

This is a place for the digital enthusiasts.

Bangkok may not rank in the same position
as it’s other sister countries in Asia
as far as being the inexpensive place to
buy computers and other digital items,
but it can definitely be an option
to scout out a very much needed accessory
while traveling or living in Asia.

Make sure that you know what you are looking for,
since most of the people working in the shops
only speak Thai and if you start asking them
questions about an item and it’s compatibility to
what you are looking for,
they will just respond…..Yes.

And it won’t be until after you have bought the item,
that you will actually realize that
the item may not be what you were looking for.

Also, always check the plug.
Most items comes with an electrical cable
which, functions in the US.

Depending on how passionate you are,
it is easy to spend most of the day here.
A yummy food court is located on the 3rd floor,
if you get hungry half way through,
or just want to rest you feet.

There are other stores dedicated to computer items such as:
IT Center in Seri Center;
IT City Lard Prao;
IT City Seacon Square;
IT Square Vibhavadi Rangist;
Fortune Town IT Mall

6 floors of, motherboards, video cards, spy cameras, musical intruments, computer memory, digital cameras and basically anything else you can imagine that beeps or flashes in the middle of the night.

What to buy: Phantip Plaza is good for PC equipment.

What to pay: Items were about 30% cheaper than Australia after a good 10 minute haggle
Never pay the asking price as it is always inflated for the richer less aware traveller

The best place to go for any type of computer shopping is the multistory Panthip Plaza on Phetburi / Petchburi Rd in Pratunam district (not far from the Amari Watergate hotel). Prices are very cheap and the range extensive, but not all the vendors speak a lot of English.