A departure signboard saying I was bound for Istanbul greeted me as I headed to the escalator. The airport theme was indeed noticeable as soon as I stepped inside Terminal 21 Bangkok from BTS Asok. Another thing that caught my attention? The length of the said elevator!
Stuck for a week in one of the worst hostels I’ve stayed at in Bangkok, I checked Google Maps to see what are the places of interest to see nearby. I hit the jackpot when I saw that Terminal 21 Mall was walking distance. I’ve been saved!
READ: Where to stay in Bangkok by Travelling King
Replica of San Francisco’s cable car in the 4th floor
Terminal 21 Bangkok
After exchanging some Thai baht at the Super Rich kiosk in the BTS station, I headed to the mall, not knowing what lies ahead. All the time thinking that it will be another of Bangkok’s countless malls. I was wrong. It became my favorite mall in Bangkok! Let me tell you why.
With its white interiors and glass and steel facade, this mall with its 9 floors can take you around the world without having to leave Bangkok. To the most famous cities in the world at least.
London’s iconic double-decker red buses
I went in search of the information booth to look at the mall’s leaflet and was quite delighted that the mall stayed true to its theme. The ladies at the information booth were dressed in uniforms resembling flight attendants! Cool, eh?
Aside from the passport-inspired leaflet showing me the different places/floors, I also managed to get free Wi-Fi in this booth. Even cooler!
The red and white lighthouse at the Caribbean themed lower ground floor. You can see the information booth of the Rome inspired Ground floor.
This mall opened in 2011 and houses more than 600 shops, more than 50 restaurants and cafe, gourmet market, and a food court aside from its destination themed floors. They even show the different time zones in different cities!
What are your destinations?
- LG – Caribbean
- G – Rome
- M – Paris
- 1 – Tokyo
- 2 – London
- 3 – Istanbul
- 4 to 5 – San Francisco
- 6 – Hollywood
Japan in Bangkok!
Terminal 21 Bangkok: Shopping Around the World
The lower ground floor, Caribbean, is where you will find the Gourmet Market (supermarket) along with food shops like Bread Talk, Baskin Robbins, De Juice, Dairy Queen, A&W, Crepe Box, and said to be one of the best burgers in Bangkok – MOS Burger.
Klook.com
The ground floor is where you’ll be transported to Rome while shopping in high-end brand name shops such as Mango, Lacoste, Levi’s, American Eagle. More foreign brand names dominate the mezzanine floor, which is decorated in Parisian chic. Highlights are Starbucks, Mac, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Charles & Keith, and Onitsuka Tiger.
Both floors are where you can visit the information booth where you can also get your free Wi-Fi. You can also find electronic display boards that are like the ones you see in airports.
shop and walk around Tokyo-inspired hallways
The first floor transports you back to Asia, specifically Japan. More shopping awaits here for the female shopaholics. Weave in and out of Tokyo-inspired streets while you shop (or window shop) among the local independent labels. There’s also a section for lingerie and evening dress.
a bit of London Underground in Bangkok
A floor above Japan takes you to London‘s Oxford Street where fashionista men can shop their hearts out.
walk through mall hallways inspired by the souks in Istanbul
Istanbul at the third floor is inspired by street markets (souk) where you can find an assortment of things like jewelry, bags, shoes, souvenirs, and home decor.
Pier 21 Food Court takes you to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf while serving an array of local and international dishes
Since you’re already hungry by now after six floors of walking around and shopping, the fourth and fifth floor showcasing San Francisco will fill your tummies. Indulge in international cuisine from the restaurants on this floor or get your card at Pier 21 Food Court so you can eat your fill of affordable and tasty Thai food.
Thank you to www.bangkokbits.com for this graphic. Click pic to know more about Pier 21 Food Court.Seriously, I came back again and again to Pier 21 because the food there is a real value for money. Imagine being able to eat 35 baht or even less for one whole meal (including drinks)! Definitely a steal.
The highest floor houses the cinemas, as such it is Hollywood-themed. You can also find Fitness First gym on this floor.
I can definitely see why this mall has become a favorite of tourists and locals alike. With its unique shopping experience and recommendable food court, this is a certainly a must visit shopping mall.
And did I say that the toilets are one of my favorite things about this mall? Definitely, show stoppers!
Some of the toilets designed according to the floor’s themes. Photo credits to Travelosyo.com
How to get to Terminal21 Asok
- BTS: Asok station Exit 1
- MRT: Sukhumvit station Exit 3
- Bus: number 2, 25, 38, 40, 136, 185, 501, 508, 511, 513
Terminal21 Mall Bangkok Info
- Operating hours: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Address: Sukhumvit Soi 19, Sukhumvit, North Klongtoei, Bangkok, 10110
Have you been to Terminal21 in Bangkok, Thailand? What do you think?
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Natasha Stoppel
September 4, 2017 at 10:50 amThis is Awesome!! Great job putting together this guide too. Definitely adding this to my list of places to go next time I’m in Thailand.
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:13 pmYou’ll surely love Terminal 21 Mall too. Thanks! 🙂
Carlinn
September 3, 2017 at 10:26 pmThis is any shoppers absolute heaven! Love how everything is themed ???
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:13 pmMe too! That’s why I love this mall.
Sarah
September 3, 2017 at 8:27 amWhat a neat idea – I bet it makes stopovers a whole lot more fun!!
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:13 pmSo true! The feeling of arriving at a new “destination” every floor excited me.
Victoria
September 3, 2017 at 3:50 amTerminal 21 is also my favorite mall in Bangkok. After living here for a year I would bring all my guests there just experience a mall like this. Good catch on the bathrooms most people miss out on it.
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:25 pmNice! I also always tell my friends to go there.
Diana
September 1, 2017 at 10:49 pmAnother tip you haven’t included – Grab (asian equivalent for Uber) makes often discounts for those who travel to or from Terminal 21 in Bangkok! Certainly worth trying, because sometimes you can even get back home/to your hotel for free! 🙂
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:27 pmOoh wow! Thanks for the tip! That’s very handy
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August 31, 2017 at 4:42 pm[…] I have eaten a lot of Pad Thai in Bangkok before this. From food courts to street food and floating markets. They taste the same but still somehow different. I didn’t […]
Kristine Li
August 30, 2017 at 2:10 amSeeing this post made me miss the mall and Asoke again, sighhh! Can’t wait to go back. You did a wonderful post on Terminal21, Darlene! The little fruit stall right outside the food court freshly cut sweet fruit, I love!
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:32 pmOh yes, I am missing the food in Terminal21!
Janel Andrada
August 30, 2017 at 12:54 amI regret skipping this place. ? I was planning to go to terminal 21 as it was suggested by my uber driver during my first night (which i also came from the horrible apartment that i booked from airbnb and I escaped from it and booked to another hotel) But i only had 2days in bangkok so i thought going to malls are not worthy. My bad!! Thanks for bringing me around terminal 21 mall. ?
Darlene
September 5, 2017 at 5:33 pmHope you get to visit Terminal21 Mall the next time you are in Bangkok!