Stepping Back in History

The Charoenkrung neighborhood and Central: The Original Store comes high on our recommendation list for a stop on a day out in the city.

Built in the 1950’s, this locally well-known retail establishment is an anchor store for Bangkok’s creative and trendy neighborhood called Charoenkrung. This five story building has been completely reimagined into a contemporary space, housing a concept store, café, library, jazz bar and a restaurant by David Thompson and more. Tastefully designed by Belgian architect Vincent Duysen you will enter to find beautiful terrazzo floors and high concrete ceilings with wooden beams on the first floor. Another floor is home to the Kolophon Retail Library with over 1000 books on subjects such as design, architecture and merchandising. On the top floor you will find David Thompson’s restaurant “Aksorn” serving authentic Thai cuisines from the 1950s-70s era.