Halloween - Will It Be a Scream?
October 05, 2016
Last year Jean Harvey compiled a brilliant list of places to get costumes for the Halloween celebrations. Here it is again for those of you who missed it, with some additions and updates!(Originally printed in October 2015 BAMBI News)By Jean Harvey (updated by Ema Naito-Bhakdi for 2016; ‘Hot4kids’ written by Catherine Monthienvichienchai) Bangkok has got a lot easier and more fun to go costume hunting recently. Many more department stores (such as Central Chidlom’s 6th and 7th floors, Emporium’s 4th floor, Central World’s Toys R’ Us or Zen, MBK’s 3rd and 4th floors and Big C) all carry a limited selection of kids costumes now. However, if junior has her heart set on a particular look and/or you don’t want to spend the time and money running all over “mall town”, here’s a selection of resources to help make your All Hallow’s Eve the right kind of “Scream”. Tip: bring a photo or sketch if you have something in mind and lack the language skills. [caption id="attachment_11997" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Ri-Tah-Rae photo by Jean Harvey)[/caption]Ri-Tah-Rae
Ri-Tah-Rae is an independent costume shop dedicated to Thai traditional clothing, such as for Loy Kratong and Chinese New Year, but has many other types of children’s costumes as well. Check their Facebook page (RI-TAH-RAE) for more ideas of what they have. Their prices are about 30%-40% more than at a street market, but you have to consider that the shop is easy to find, air-conditioned, and possibly more efficient. They also offer made-to-order. Notice their new address!- 24/7 Sukhumvit 50 Prakhanong, Klongtoey
- Phone: 02-715-9945.
- Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5:30pm.
Pinata Party Store website[/caption]Piñata Party Store
Also on Sukhumvit is the Piñata Store that offers in-store and online shopping. A large selection for Halloween is on hand: decorations, party favors, Zombie Kits, accessories and 24 children’s costumes in size infant to 6 years old. Adult costumes, wigs, party plates and napkins and packages are also available.- 12/5 Soi Prommitr Sukhumvit 39. Phone: 02-259-7067. Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5:30pm. www.pinatapartyplace.com.
BAM BAM at Platinum (photo by Ema Naito)[/caption]Platinum Fashion Mall
Platinum Fashion Mall is a fixed-price, air-conditioned department store for whole/retail-sellers and bargain-hunting moms.
At the basement level, there is BAMBAM (Soi Ginza 5, Room 19) for full-body Pikachu and animal suits, and standard costume sets for girls and boys; and accessories like hats, boas, ties, and masks, etc. If you’re looking for costumes for mom and dad, look up FANTACY (Soi Ginza 11, Rooms 123 and 126) for a collection worthy of a theatre troupe.On the 5th floor, you’ll find for your adorable infant CROSS KIDS (Soi Orchard 2, Room 1255) with hooded onesies in: rabbit, bear, cow, penguin, tiger, bee, and ladybird (฿360). Across the aisle and in front of the escalator is BABY KIDS (Room 1256/2) with toddler-size cottons in Mickey Mouse, Thomas and Pooh, as well as Disney princess (Elsa, Snow White etc.) and Ariel mermaid outfits. Check out the colorful KIDS PLANET (Soi Orchard 1, Room 1257/2) for cotton sets with hoods/masks in Ben 10, Minion, Batman, Ultraman, as well as shiny polyester superhero-outfits for Transformers, Captain America, and Spiderman, etc. COTTON CANDY KID (Soi Orchard 4, Room 1298/1) has your girl’s dream-dress (actually formal-wear) that could pass for ballerina, fairy, or wedding. Mini-tuxedos are also on offer. The 5th floor is also home to a dizzying selection of wigs, veils, wands, garlands and crowns, feathers, boas etc., as well as more of BAMBAM (Soi Orchard 1, Rm 1264/2) with fake ears, teeth, noses, eye patches, witches’ and pirate hats, swords, wings, and more costumes–some for mom and dad. - Enjoy the bargain hunt and be sure to bring small bills.
- Open every day until 8pm.
Rann 100 (photo by Ema Naito)[/caption]Sampeng Lane in Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Another fun adventure that is sure to pay off in price-savings and exotic stories is a trip to Sampeng Lane. Look for Roy Raan (“100 Shop”), at 100 Sampeng Lane, for orange pumpkins and Halloween costumes. If you don’t find it, no problem, as this exciting and shaded strip (beware the motorcycles!) will have every fabric, felt, hot-glue gun, ribbon, sparkle, mask, wand, wings etc. to make your own costume.- Take a taxi to Grand China Princess Hotel, walk away from the hotel towards the river on Ratchawong Road. Look left and follow the pathway into the market (Sampeng Lane). You should see the costumes on both sides of the narrow walkway.
- Bring a photo of your goal purchase. Have fun.
Prissina (photo by Jessica Vechbanyongratana)[/caption]Prissina Fancy Shop
While it’s a bit far from the BTS realm, Prissina in Seacon Square offers an impressive catalogue of children’s fancy-dress costumes as well as accessories. Their catalogue is on their website, and you can order via email or LINE if you can’t make it to their shop.- Room 4026C, 4th Floor, Seacon Square, Srinagarindra Rd.
- Phone: 02-721-9950, 093-647-4433.
- Open 11am to 7pm.
- www.fancypartydress.com
Daiso
Don’t forget our favorite 60-baht shop, which stocks seasonal items such as Halloween capes and hats, trick-or-treat bags, and other decorative items. It’s cheap and handy for a quick trip.- Multiple locations, including Siam Square One, J Avenue Thonglor, K Village, Gateway Ekamai, Central Rama 9, Mega Bangna, Seacon Square, and Future Park Rangsit.
- www.daisothailand.com
Hot4Kids (photo by Catherine Montienvichienchai)[/caption]Hot4kids (in front of Talad Garn Bin Thai, a.k.a. ‘Thai Airways Market’)
If you’re in the neighborhood of ‘Talad Lung Perm’ or as most Thais call it ‘Talad Garn Bin Thai’ (literally ‘Thai Airways market’), try the shop across the road from the market called Hot4kids. Inside, towards the back, are several well-stocked racks of costumes for children – mostly Disney Store and George by Asda brand, with some cheaper brands mixed in. The costumes are imported and not cheap – you can easily pay upwards of ฿1,500, but the quality is excellent and the designs have a few more options than the usual princesses and superheroes (although those do still dominate).
Across from Talad Garn Bin Thai (‘Thai Airways Market’), Plaza One Building, Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 22, directly behind the head office of Thai Airways International. The shop name is hidden, so look out for ‘Plaza One’ opposite the K-Bank ATM and it’s the front shop on the left as you face the building. - Open Monday-Saturday, noon-5pm.
- From Phahon Yothin MRT station walk 10-15 minutes (take the back sois rather than the main road), or take a taxi from Mo Chit BTS. Stock changes weekly so best to go in person or call if you want something specific.
- www.hot4kids.com
About the Author
Jean Harvey is a native of Chicago. Jean worked for 10 years as a financial advisor before giving it up when she moved with her husband to Bangkok from New York. Since then, she has volunteered at the National Museum and had her son, Arthur. She likes to play tennis, read and write in her spare time.The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects.BAMBI News welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.