Bangkok Department Stores

Almost all major department stores are locally developed chains, even though they may have foreign sounding names. Japanese retailers once dominated the market, but now almost all of them have gone.

Central

Occupies the higher end of the market. The flagship store is the Chidlom branch on Ploenchit Road, which has access from the Chidlom Skytrain station.

Robinson

Staked out the middle market with more suburban locations.

The Mall

Despite its name, The Mall operates its own department stores, within larger malls that the company also owns and operates. The Mall's malls are all located in the suburbs of Bangkok, and generally cater to a lower middle class customer base.

Isetan

More or less the last remaining Japanese retailer, located at one end of the World Trade Center.

Big C

Discount chain originated by France's Casino stores.

Tesco Lotus

Another 'superstore' owned by the UK supermarket chain.

Carrefour

The big French hypermarket competes with Tesco and Big C for the discount shopper, although in late 2010 the Thai branches were acquired by Big C.