MBK Center, which is the abbreviation of Mahboonkrong Center, is a major shopping mall in downtown Bangkok. It is located at the busy intersection of Rama I Road and Phaya Thai Road, diagonally facing Siam Discovery Center.
When MBK Center was open in 1985, it was one of the biggest shopping malls in Asia, with 89,000 square meters of retail space and over two thousand outlets. The original name, Mahboonkrong is a portmanteau of "Mah" and "Boonkrong", named in honor of the mother and father of Chokchai Bulakul, who built it. Today the mall belongs to Dusit Thani Group. Although no longer its owner, the busts of Chokchai's parents continue to grace the ground floor of MBK Center facing the front doors.
The anchor tenant at MBK Center is the Japanese department store Tokyu. Attached to the mall is the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, also belonging to the Dusit Thani Group. The Bangkok Skytrain line passes right in front of the mall. The National Stadium and Siam Skytrain stations are within walking distance on the overpass. Also within walking distance along Phaya Thai Road is Hua Chang pier, for ferry services on the Klong Saen Saeb.
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