MBK Center opened in 1985 and has been a Bangkok institution for four decades — a sprawling eight-floor market-style mall that operates more like a covered bazaar than a Western shopping centre. The fourth floor mobile phone section is still the city's best for unlocked phones and accessories at market prices; the ground and second floors carry fashion at prices that undercut everywhere else in the Siam area.
The food court on the sixth floor is perpetually busy with Thais eating lunch or dinner and remains excellent value. MBK has been written off as past its peak for years, but continues to function perfectly well as a high-volume, low-price retail environment. The attached Tokyu department store offers a Japanese-style counterpoint to the market floors. Connected by skywalk to National Stadium BTS.