Back on the scene after a 280 million baht renovation, the riverside shopping complex renowned for its auctions now features over 100 stores
| TO celebrate its 31st anniversary, Bangkok’s premier purveyor of arts and antiques has just completed extensive renovations and has returned on the scene bigger and better than ever. A 280 million baht investment has completely transformed the five-storey shopping complex into a contemporary space featuring glass panels, high-ceilings, and an elegant colour scheme that blends black, white and gold to beguiling effect. And it’s not just a case of window dressing. The mall has expanded its shopping space and now features over 100 stores selling a wide range of antiques and artworks from throughout Asia and beyond – a treasure trove of rare finds bound to delight veteran collectors and newbies alike. |  |
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 | The furniture, art, and decorative items on display span many eras and locations. One minute you may lay your eyes on an ancient sculpture from Burma, say, or a tribal mask from Africa. The next, an intricate wooden carving from Japan, or a figurine created during the height of the Khmer Empire. Art exhibitions and workshops are arranged all year round, with experts on hand to impart their knowledge of silk making, flower arranging, calligraphy and many other intricate crafts. It’s not all arts and antiques at River City Bangkok, though. As you’d expect from a shopping mall of this size, it also devotes a good portion of its space to pure retail therapy. Think bespoke tailors, luxurious silks, beautiful jewelry, leather goods, and furniture design stores. What’s more, River City Bangkok also has several restaurants and cafés offering local and international cuisines, and many of these venues have outdoor terraces right by the Chao Phraya River. Daily dinner cruises can also be arranged. |
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Chao Phraya dinner cruise Nothing says ‘special occasion’ quite like a dinner cruise on the River of Kings. River City Bangkok serves as the boarding point for ten luxury cruises, namely the Wonderful Pearl, Grand Pearl, Pearl of Siam, Chaophraya Cruise, Chaophraya Princess, River Sun, Wan-Fah, White Orchid and Apsara. Each cruise departs early in the evening, so you can expect to catch the sunset while enjoying a buffet feast. Art & antiques auctions Alongside its popular monthly auction – which has been held on the first Saturday of each month for the past 31 years – River City Bangkok also holds three Grand Auctions. Scheduled for April, August, and December each year, these grand auctions offer the ideal platform for buyers and sellers to exchange rare antiques and share invaluable knowledge on the subject. Each item in the auction is carefully examined, evaluated and certified by a panel of experts from the Association for the Propagation and Promotion of Objets d’Art, so authenticity is assured. River City Bangkok. Charoenkrung 24, Talat Noi. 02 237 0077. rivercitybangkok.com |   |
