Bangkok story: Next stop - Siam Square .

The shopping center in the heart of Bangkok, at the confluence of Henri Dunant Road, Rama I Road and Phaya Thai Road, is unmistakably ‘Siam Square’. With a history of some 40 years old, this area was formerly known as ‘Pathum Wan Square’ - by virtue of its location in the Pathum Wan district. It was later name ‘Siam Square’ to reflect its status as Thailand’s first linear shopping center. Siam Square was formerly a vegetable garden and a densely populated community until 1965 when Chulalongkorn University, the owner of the property, commissioned Southeast Asia Construction Company Limited (SEACON) to help develop the 25.2-acrea of land into a linear shopping center. As a result, the area soon comprised three or four storied commercial buildings, which had shops located on the lower floors while the upper floors were reserved for residential purposes. Available space was planned for roads, a parking area, utility systems and large buildings including a cinema and a bowling alley.

Most of its tenants at Siam Square were owners of restaurants, bookstores, fashion shops and hair salons which were relocated from other shopping centers like Wang Burapha, Surawongse and Silom. In 1998, the area between Siam Square Sois 3 and 4 saw major renovation to create an Activity courtyard and fountain base collectively known as ‘Center Point’ the concept of which was to create a meeting place for the many teens who frequent Siam Square. Opened in 1999, Center Point has since lived up to its original concept as the place to be for teens at weekends and holidays.

Siam Square’s long history makes this linear shopping center a place consistently crowded with shoppers, teens and friends

Siam Square - from a vegetable garden to a busy linear shopping center.Who turn up to socialize and even ex-teens who wish to reminisce on the pastimes of their younger days.

Today, Siam Square is something of a fashion Mecca, with all sorts of unique fashionable merchandise, apparels and decorative accessories designed by young and trendy designers. Anyone wanting to pick up the latest in-vogue addition to their wardrobes will find a trip to Siam Square far from disappointing.