Bargain hunters flood Bangkok's shopping malls

It’s that time of year again. Bangkok’s shopping malls are taken over by end of season sales, easily identified by shops filled with rampaging women searching for bargains before it all ends next weekend.

Some sift decisively through massive bins of crumpled clothes with industrial-like precision. Others drive through clothes racks with a steely  ‘don’t get in my way or I’ll take you out’ look in their eyes. The men, with the exception of a few brave enough to do their own bargain hunting, stand around wearing a slight look of amusement (or is it bemusement?) at the sidelines, awaiting the command to offer a nod of approval.

All around the city’s malls you’ll find scenes like these till January 31. Jaspal is offering 50 percent discounts on everything. Zara is offering discounts of up to 50 percent. Central World’s TopShop has a two-for-one special. CPS shops around the city are offering 70% discounts. Shoe shop Aldo has some amazing discounts, too. The list goes on and on.

From Bangkok shopping malls like Siam Paragon in the city center to Central Chaeng Wattana in the suburbs we checked out a few of the sales on the weekend, and there are still some bargains to be had (though you’re going to have to sift). Many of the items left are either sized XL or XS, so unless these are your fit the pickings are slim.

In other Bangkok news

Bangkok’s getting clubbed senseless: More of the same for Bangkok's clubbers, reports The Nation, with 2010 bringing a continuous blast of foreign DJs, starting with this Saturday’s Culture One festival.

Top Awards: Thailand’s annual celebration of soap opera stars, the Top Awards, were held over the weekend. Lyn’s Kakorn Blog has a full list of winners and celebrity pics. 

Thailand’s color-coded political woes continue: The Bangkok Post reports that the Thai government has dismissed claims by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that he plans to set up a government-in-exile as his ‘red shirt’ supporters announce plans to rally at army headquarters.