This is a list of ten best things to do at IconSiam, Bangkok’s newest and fanciest mega mall! We visited the mall recently via the free IconSiam shuttle boat service. Before you go down, remember to get this FREE IconSiam Tourist Card which entitles you to 30% discounts at certain stores, 6% VAT refund, 5% discount at Takashimaya, and several other perks.
Located along Chao Phraya River, IconSiam comprises an estimated 500 shops, 100 restaurants, an indoor floating market, Thailand first Apple Store and Takashimaya, a state of the art cinema, a beautiful riverside park, and more!
And looming over us were two of the tallest Bangkok buildings: the 70-storey Magnolias Waterfront Residences and the 52-floor Mandarin Oriental Residences.
Needless to say, we were thoroughly impressed by the grandeur and beauty of this new huge complex. Here’s our list of ten best things to do at IconSiam:
1. SookSiam
SookSiam is an indoor “floating market” that sells a huge variety of traditional Thai street food. Designed in the style of a simulated floating market with street vendors along the “riverbanks”, SookSiam aims to promote the cuisine, arts and culture of Thailand’s 77 provinces.
This was definitely our favourite part of IconSiam! We came here on a Thursday afternoon and the whole place was a bustling cauldron of activities.
SookSiam’s food was very delicious and really affordable (considering that we were in a upscale mall). We bought a packet of Thai-style fried noodles for just 60 THB, as well as a packet of Mango Sticky Rice for only 50 THB.
Other than the street food vendors, we also saw many stalls selling local produce, Thai clothing and garments, a Taokaenoi LAND shop (for the seaweed tidbits lovers), a two-storey Naraya shop and even a Naraya cafe.
There was even a glittering gold entrance that was flanked by two life-size elephant statues! Walking through this vibrant market was a wonderful sensory experience that provided the perfect start to our exploration of IconSiam.
2. Siam Takashimaya
We spent quite a while strolling around Siam Takashimaya, which is Thailand’s very first Takashimaya. This huge department store spans seven floors and consists of over 530 shops!
We saw a large variety of Japanese brands clothing, toys, home appliances, kitchenware, restaurants and cafes.
We checked out the Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza (UG) which sells a variety of Japanese desserts including Hokkaido sweets, and the Japanese Confectionery section (UG), which sells several Japanese snacks including the famous Japanese chocolate Yoku Moku. Prices were rather steep though.
Other Siam Takashimaya highlights include the “Rose Dining” zone (4F), which houses several prominent Japanese restaurants, Taka Marche supermarket (UG), and the Siam Nakajima Suisan (UG), which sells fresh seafood.
3. IconLuxe
IconLuxe is the luxury wing of IconSiam. This is truly an upscale shopping section and we saw many high-end brands like Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Bvlgari, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, etc. The prices were similar to Singapore’s stores.
Other than luxury brands, there are lots of other mid-market brands like Zara, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo, etc.
The most striking and photogenic store we saw was definitely H&M, the Swedish fashion and accessories brand. This lofty three-storey shop has a facade made up almost completely of curved glass, giving it a look that is both sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing.
Other than the brands mentioned above, there are plenty of other shops in IconLuxe – we even spotted a Toys“R”Us!
4. @Cosme store
Ladies will be excited to know that Japanese cosmetics store @cosme store has a 300 square metres space in IconSiam, with around 6,000 beauty products from 600 Japanese brands. This is Thailand’s first @cosme store branch.
Another popular cosmetic store that we saw was Sephora, a Paris-born beauty megachain that features nearly 300 brands along with its own private label.
5. adidas Originals
We dropped by adidas Originals, which is the biggest Adidas Original Concept Store in Asia. Sneakerheads will be able to find the latest designer sneakers and Adidas rare editions over here.
IconSiam is also home to the first Nike Kicks Lounge in Southeast Asia. This cool Nike shop offers a curated selection of Nike products, as well as customised services such as tailoring and custom printing of Nike’s designs and logos.
We saw plenty of other sport shops in IconSiam such as Under Armour, Reebok, and even JD Sports, a huge UK sports retail chain store.
6. Apple Store
Apple fans (the author included) will be happy to know that IconSiam is home to Thailand’s very first Apple Store. It was nice to see the usual array of Apple products, Genius Bar, and Apple Geniuses on hand to assist customers, BUT I was most impressed by the two-storey glass front that provides million-dollar views of the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok’s skyline.
7. IconSiam Park
And right outside the Apple Store, almost like a backyard garden, we found the tranquil and beautiful IconSiam Park!
We were really pleasantly surprised to chance upon this small park that provides sweeping views of the Bangkok skyline. This small rooftop garden comprises manicured bushes, lighting features, and curved artistic benches.
This is definitely a great place to take a short break while enjoying the awesome views.
8. River Park
The River Park is a grand and beautiful waterfront park outside IconSiam that provides an exceptional view of the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok skyline. It was the perfect place for us to take a relaxing stroll after finishing our exploration of IconSiam.
While walking along the park, we saw the Iconic Multimedia Water Feature, a majestic water fountain that is the largest in the ASEAN region. It is over 400 metres long and can produce water shows in 2D, 3D, and 4D water shapes. Unfortunately we didn’t stay late enough to catch the water show, which starts in the evening when it gets darker.
However, there were plenty of other photo ops in the park. We saw many beautiful lighting features on display, and the park was also a great place to take pictures of the gorgeous IconSiam facade.
9. “Sri Mahasamut Ship” Floating Museum
The “Sri Mahasamut Ship” Floating Museum commemorates the King of Thonburi (also known as Taksin the Great), who was a powerful Siamese King in the 18th century. The museum is modelled after a Chinese Junk and showcases the life and legacy of the King.
Visitors can also have fun with hands-on activities in the museum, such as hoisting a cargo crate, or changing into various nationalities outfits and taking photos.
“Sri Mahasamut Ship” Floating Museum
Admission Fee: FREE until 13 January 2019
Opening Hours: Daily 11.40am to 7.40pm (including PH)
Tour Session: Every 20 minutes, first round at 11.40am
Registration: All visitors must register at the counter opposite JUMBO Seafood Restaurant in IconSiam
10. Indulge in The Amazing Variety of Food
Luxury Dinner Cruise source
Walking around IconSiam, we were impressed by the huge variety of restaurants here! The mega mall houses seven dining zones, each with a different theme: SookSiam, Veranda, Siam Takashimaya Rose Dining, ICON Eats, ICON Dining Rooms, Alangkarn, and the TasanaNakorn.
Some famous restaurants include JUMBO Seafood, a famous Singaporean seafood restaurant, Baan Khanitha The Heritage, a classy Thai restaurant, Bonchon, a popular Korean fried chicken joint, and many many more.
You can also catch a luxury dinner cruise from the IconSiam pier, where you can enjoy a Thai and International gourmet buffet while checking out famous landmarks such as the Emerald Buddha Temple and Grand Palace along the river. There is even a live retro cover band onboard too.
Upcoming Developments
When we visited a few weeks ago, the mall was almost fully completed, with works being done on just the 7th and 8th levels. The remaining developments are a Convention Hall and Fitness First Club on the 7th floor, and a museum on the 8th floor.
Conclusion
We had an awesome time at IconSiam! Whether you are a couple like us, a family with kids, or a backpacker, this is a wonderful place to just walk around and immerse in the many attractions of the mall. And it was really easy to get here via the free IconSiam shuttle boat. Make sure you check out this amazing mega mall soon!