On the banks of the famous Chao Phraya River, ICONSIAM, Bangkok’s newest luxury shopping destination has transformed the waterfront into a world class attraction. While the city already has a number of high-end shopping malls, this dazzling, diverse shopping complex offers an opportunity to sample the best of wares that Thai provinces and communities have to offer.

Opened in November 2018, the complex is billed as a destination for Thais and visitors from all walks of life. It’s a shining, glittering inspiration of glass and steel, covering 750,000 square metres, and is an outstanding example of modern retail architecture.

Within the complex, a colourful market on the ground floor called SookSiam represents over 3,000 unique local businesses bringing together the distinctive cultural heritage of Thai knowledge and wisdom of food, culture, arts, handicrafts, and the way of life of the country’s four geographic regions.

According to the CEO of one of the joint-venture partners, the rationale behind SookSiam was to provide an opportunity for small businesses from all of Thailand’s 77 provinces to sell their products in Bangkok and showcase them to the world. The company says special support was given to the businesses to achieve this.

As an experience, we found SookSiam to be a living cultural museum incorporating all forms of Thai-ness. Adapted to replicate the design of small local villages, SookSiam also incorporates a Thai floating market including small boats and little bridges with the shimmering glow of overhead lanterns reflecting in the water. It is a beautiful space with the interior designs distinctively displaying colourful Thai artwork.

The small stall holders were more than happy to chat about their region and their products while proudly displaying their unique specialties such as ceramics, jewellery, and handicrafts. The lady selling organic herbal products convinced me I needed a cinnamon-infused specially designed neck heat bag. And she was right, I did!

There is no shortage of dining experiences at ICONSIAM either. The distinctive flavours of Thai culinary expertise from the different regions of Thailand come to life in the abundance of street food available in SookSiam.

The women in traditional dress wearing large straw hats sitting on tiny wooden stools on the banks of the floating market, surrounded by their cooking ingredients and pots bubbling with a selection of foods from their specific region, were a powerful reminder of the many communities of women throughout Thailand who have made a living for their families in this way. You are welcome to sit and eat with them, although trying to manage a tiny stool and balance food as well can be a recipe for disaster.

Restaurants offering Asian and Western food in over 100 eating locations are spread over eight floors   throughout the complex.  On the 6th floor, the Alangkarn Dining Zone in particular, with its elaborate 15 metre towering waterfall that flows from the ceiling, is a stunning visual display of changing water and light patterns and is said to portray the importance of the rain that falls in Thailand.

The Tasana Nakron Terrace, also on the 6th floor, is the place to be for food, drinks and a wonderful view of the Bangkok river and city skyline which is especially stunning at night.

And for dessert? The ornately coloured gondola anchored at the edge of the floating market and piled high with durians is an indication of the popularity of this fruit with locals, although for tourists it is likely to be an acquired taste. It’s promoted as “The Heaven for Durian Lovers” as they offer a range of tempting products such as the popular durian popsicles, durian ice-cream, Thai bean cakes with durian fillings, granola snacks flavoured with durian and almonds coated with white durian flavoured chocolate. There are plenty of choices to sample, but for me, I’ll stay with mango sticky rice!

For a touch of luxury, ICONLUXE is a space within the complex that exudes lavishness and luxury with its beautiful golden pillars, golden ceiling, and dazzling chandeliers. This is the place for high-end fashion shopping with top fashion brands from around the world featured in their own exclusive stores. Window shopping is a lovely way to explore this area although if retail therapy is calling, make sure you load up your credit card.

In front of the complex, at River Park on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the award-winning ICONIC Multimedia Water Features is an impressive display which is nothing short of spectacular. With four shows daily from late afternoon, the 15-minute sound and light show, which is free to the public, illuminates the evening sky with a dazzling display of cascading, swaying, swirling, leaping fountains of water.

Set to music and enhanced with an ever-changing psychedelic light display, this is one theatrical river dance that you will not want to miss. Using the most sophisticated multimedia technology, this water feature, spanning 400 metres along the river front, is the longest water well in Southeast Asia and is a world class attraction. We spent two evenings watching the beauty and magnificence of this display. On the river, ferries passed slowly, and dinner cruises stopped to watch the spectacle.

ICONSIAM would not be complete without spirit houses, which are a familiar sight throughout Thailand, offering protection to the spirits so that harmony and serenity will prevail. Three large spirit houses in typical Thai architectural style were designed specially for the complex using 80-year-old high quality teakwood. The spirit houses were placed in appropriate locations within the complex.

While visiting ICONSIAM, at times we found it difficult to find our way back to particular stalls when intending to buy gifts, so it is helpful to have a map of the multi-floored attractions to save disappointment as there is so much to see and experience at this destination.

A free shuttle boat runs every ten minutes from Sathorn Pier to ICONSIAM daily between 9.00am and 11.00pm.

Header image: © Kittipong Chararoj