Iconsiam - Bangkok's Gigantic Mall along Chao Phraya River
Iconsiam, located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, is a shopper's paradise, offering an incredible selection of high-end boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The mall is so massive that you could spend an entire day exploring all that it has to offer. From the latest fashion trends to the most exquisite dining options, Iconsiam caters to all tastes and preferences. Hence, following its construction in 2018, this mall became an instant tourist attraction.
How to Get to Iconsiam
Via the Free Ferry Ride (recommended)
It's more than just a mall
Iconsiam is more than just a shopping and entertainment destination. The mall is also known for its stunning architecture and design, which seamlessly blends traditional Thai elements with modern touches. The intricate details on the building facades and the stunning waterfront views are a feast for the eyes. Moreover, Iconsiam is a hub of cultural activities showcasing the best of Thai art, crafts, and music. There are regular events featuring Thai classical dance, puppetry, and contemporary music that showcase the rich heritage of the country.
In one of the upper floors, near where the cinema and other entertainment venues are located, there is what I call a dancing falling fountain. The entire floor is also illuminated by natural lights from large glass panes and walls.
Bustling food scene in Iconsiam
State-of-the-Art Cinema - stunning!
One of the standout features of Iconsiam is its state-of-the-art cinema. The cinema is more than just a place to watch movies – it's an experience that will leave you in awe. With breathtaking visuals and top-of-the-line sound systems, the theater provides an immersive experience that will make you feel like you're part of the action. The comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options will keep you satiated throughout the movie, making it the perfect spot for a night out.
Right from the purchasing of tickets, the experience was already very modernized. They have these self-service kiosks where you can reserve and pay for the tickets. All convenient payment options are included (e.g. credit card, etc.). The kiosks are tourist-friendly because there is an option to have the Language set as "English".
My amazement did not stop with the kiosks. As soon as we entered the cinema, I was further mesmerized by how there is a wonderfully illuminated escalator that leads to the cinema proper.
It still does not stop there, because as you walk further, you'll be led to the lounge area where you can wait for the show. I found this fascinating because here in the Philippines there's no cinema that brings this kind of experience. Sure, I can recall similar experience, but it was meant more for watching live shows in Resorts World Manila or Solaire, and wherein tickets are normally more than 30 USD. However, for this we just paid 320 THB (equivalent to P515 or approximately 10 USD).
Alright, I know I've been raving too much already about the cinema, but I just want to further share that they have a dedicated snack store inside (exclusive for those who have movie tickets), and since there are two floors of the cinema proper here in Iconsiam, each floor has a dedicated snack store. If that does not amaze you, I don't know what will.
If you want to go to Iconsiam in Bangkok, one option is to take the free ferry ride offered by the mall. The ferry departs from Sathorn Pier and runs every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Chao Phraya River and the city skyline. I personally suggest that you take this route because you get to see other famous landmarks along the Chao Phraya river when you ride the ferry.
Via Ride-hailing Apps
Another option for getting to Iconsiam is to take a taxi or ride-sharing service. The mall is located in the Khlong San district of Bangkok, near the Taksin Bridge. If you're coming from the city center, the ride will take approximately 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic. Keep in mind that traffic in Bangkok can be notoriously congested, especially during rush hour, so it's a good idea to plan accordingly.
It's more than just a mall
Iconsiam is more than just a shopping and entertainment destination. The mall is also known for its stunning architecture and design, which seamlessly blends traditional Thai elements with modern touches. The intricate details on the building facades and the stunning waterfront views are a feast for the eyes. Moreover, Iconsiam is a hub of cultural activities showcasing the best of Thai art, crafts, and music. There are regular events featuring Thai classical dance, puppetry, and contemporary music that showcase the rich heritage of the country.
In one of the upper floors, near where the cinema and other entertainment venues are located, there is what I call a dancing falling fountain. The entire floor is also illuminated by natural lights from large glass panes and walls.
Bustling food scene in Iconsiam
Aside from the beautiful riverside view and architecture, Iconsiam is also known for its wide selection of restaurants and food stalls spread across various floors within the mall. I didn't get the chance to try to dine-in but I did get to try this stall called "Toro Fries". It features footlong fries drizzled in abundant dip of your choice.
In order to guide you better, I quickly looked into recommended eats in Iconsiam, and found the following to be in the top choices:
In order to guide you better, I quickly looked into recommended eats in Iconsiam, and found the following to be in the top choices:
- Siam Tea Room - located on the first floor, Siam Tea Room offers traditional Thai cuisine with a modern twist. Their menu includes delicious dishes such as Tom Yum Kung, Pad Thai, and Mango Sticky Rice. The restaurant's ambiance is cozy and elegant, making it a perfect place to enjoy your meal while overlooking the stunning Chao Phraya River.
- Kuaitiao Ruea Nai Yong - located on the ground floor (yes, it's different from the first floor), Kuaitiao Ruea Nai Yong serves authentic Thai boat noodles. It's normally a great comfort food after a long day of shopping.
- Cafe Claire - located on the ground floor, Cafe Clair offers a wide selection of pastries, cakes and macarons. They also have a range of coffee and tea options to choose from. The café's interior is chic and cozy, making it a great place to relax and enjoy some desserts.
- Kin Kao - located on the fifth floor, this restaurant serves authentic Thai cuisine from the northern region of Thailand. Their menu includes dishes such as Khao Soi, a coconut curry noodle soup, and Sai Ua, a spicy sausage. The restaurant's interior is decorated with traditional Thai elements, making it a unique dining experience.
State-of-the-Art Cinema - stunning!
One of the standout features of Iconsiam is its state-of-the-art cinema. The cinema is more than just a place to watch movies – it's an experience that will leave you in awe. With breathtaking visuals and top-of-the-line sound systems, the theater provides an immersive experience that will make you feel like you're part of the action. The comfortable seating and a range of food and drink options will keep you satiated throughout the movie, making it the perfect spot for a night out.
Right from the purchasing of tickets, the experience was already very modernized. They have these self-service kiosks where you can reserve and pay for the tickets. All convenient payment options are included (e.g. credit card, etc.). The kiosks are tourist-friendly because there is an option to have the Language set as "English".
We were able to watch John Wick 4, and it was such a blast!
My amazement did not stop with the kiosks. As soon as we entered the cinema, I was further mesmerized by how there is a wonderfully illuminated escalator that leads to the cinema proper.
It still does not stop there, because as you walk further, you'll be led to the lounge area where you can wait for the show. I found this fascinating because here in the Philippines there's no cinema that brings this kind of experience. Sure, I can recall similar experience, but it was meant more for watching live shows in Resorts World Manila or Solaire, and wherein tickets are normally more than 30 USD. However, for this we just paid 320 THB (equivalent to P515 or approximately 10 USD).
Lounge area inside the cinema proper of Iconsiam Mall
Alright, I know I've been raving too much already about the cinema, but I just want to further share that they have a dedicated snack store inside (exclusive for those who have movie tickets), and since there are two floors of the cinema proper here in Iconsiam, each floor has a dedicated snack store. If that does not amaze you, I don't know what will.
Anyway, our stay in Iconsiam was pretty brief because we just wanted to satisfy our curiosity, and of course we wanted to watch John Wick 4 in big screen. If I happen to explore more of the mall in the future, I'll definitely update this post.
All of the things shared here (along with those that I haven't discovered) make Iconsiam one of the most popular destinations in Bangkok, attracting both locals and tourists alike. Whether you're looking to shop, eat, or take in a movie, Iconsiam has something for everyone. So if you're visiting Bangkok, be sure to add Iconsiam to your itinerary – you won't regret it!
Iconsiam
299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
