Big C Supercenter opposite Central World in Bangkok [Thailand]

Big C is a supermarket chain in Thailand with many branches but for most travelers; they associate the brand with the supercentre building located right opposite Centralworld, where they would usually visit to purchase souvenirs for family and friends back home. 

No exception for me as well as the supercentre provides the largest variety as the hypermarket wing of the conglomerate, and location wise; the most convenient in downtown Bangkok. p.s. closure timing has now been revised to 11.00pm! 

I am the type who enjoys checking out local supermarkets! Aside from having a rough gauge on the popularity of locally manufactured items among the locals, there could also be surprises that you don't get to encounter in Singapore. For example, selling frozen nuggets by the weight. 

Or the sheer amount of instant noodles for sale! And in bulk! In Singapore, we usually buy in bags of about five packs of instant noodles. 

The MAMA brand is my preferred to-go brand for Thai instant noodles; this box of 24 packs just cost me 215 baht (about S$8.30), and its the big pack one! Ecstatic to buy although it's going to take up quite a bit of space in the luggage.

It's obvious that this particular supercentre is more for tourists though; with items packaged specifically in bulk for cheaper pricing and easier distribution to family and friends. I used to buy some of them but honestly feel that most were just average tasting. 

Quite common to see tourists pushing trolleys filled to the brim! I often wonder how many pieces of luggage they bring along as I am barely surviving with a combined luggage of 50 kilograms with Alex, who doesn't shop. 

My haul over two visits in my recent Bangkok trip, with smaller packs that were purchased for tasting before buying them for home. Some items have samples (like the rice crackers), and you can make the decision a lot faster! 

You can't bargain in a supermarket and I bet you might be able to secure cheaper pricing in shops that offer bargaining. However, the goods in Big C are fast moving and stocks are likely "fresher". 

A scene you don't see in Singapore. People reusing discarded carton boxes to hold their purchases for ease of checking in to the airports when they leave the country! There are also packing points, similar to those in IKEA, but we don't see them in Singapore's supermarkets. Not yet. 

Click here for my 7 Days 6 Nights Papazao Itinerary to Bangkok