Central World
Central World is the 2nd largest shopping mall complex in Southeast Asia after SM City North EDSA of the Philippines. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by the Central Pattana. In 2006, after three years of design and renovation, the expanded, 550,000 square metres of shopping mall and 1,024,000 square metres of complex was opened, topping its nearby rival Siam Paragon in terms of size.
Originally called the World Trade Center, the eight-story mall was opened in 1990. The Central Group acquired the property in 2002 from the Wang Petchaboon group and soon thereafter renamed it Central World Plaza and in 2005 rechristened it CentralWorld.
Location
CentralWorld is located in Pathum Wan district at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in one of Bangkok’s busiest shopping and tourism districts. It is very close to Chit Lom BTS station.
Nearby Shopping Centers and Attractions includes , BigC Ratchadamri, The Erawan Shrine, Amarin Plaza, Central Chidlom, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery Center, MBK Center, Platinum Fashion Mall, Pantip Plaza and Chamchuri Square.
Shopping
Shopping in Central world is expensive compared to MBK as it is more of a real shopping center then an indoor market, some of the main shop at Central World are
Isetan – The branch of the Japanese department store chain has six stories. The merchandise ranges from apparel to domestic goods.
ZEN – Branded as Asia’s first lifestyle trend megastore. It has 50,000 square metres and is seven stories high. It is managed by the Central Retail Corporation.
SF World Cinema – An upscale cinema complex located on the seventh floor. The cinema has a total of 15 screens, which includes the 800 seats of World Max Screen and luxury "first-class" theatres. The venue has played host to a number of Thai cinema premieres as well as the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival and the upcoming 2008 Bangkok International Film Festival.
