Donki Mall

📍 Location of Donki Mall 🚘 Directions to Donki Mall

About Donki Mall

Don Quijote, affectionately known as Donki, is a unique shopping experience that may seem unusual to those unfamiliar with its concept, especially those from more conventional cultures. The store is a haven for lovers of Asian products, particularly those with an interest in Japanese items. It eschews the typical pandering to foreign tastes, such as pasta, and instead, proudly displays its Asian roots. The clientele is predominantly Asian, adding to the authentic atmosphere of the store.

The store is conveniently located in a pleasant area of the capital, far removed from the less desirable pubs and bars. The layout of the store is thoughtfully designed, with fitness equipment and cosmetics occupying the first floor, while the ground floor is dedicated to food products. This separation of products allows for a more streamlined shopping experience.

However, the store is not without its drawbacks. The parking fee policy has been a point of contention for many visitors. Despite spending a significant amount at the store, customers are still required to pay a hefty parking fee. The fee is 50 Baht per hour, increasing to 100 Baht per hour in the evening. This, coupled with the inconvenience of having to pay at an automated machine, often with long queues, has left many customers disgruntled.

Another issue is the placement of the cashier counters. For instance, if a customer wishes to purchase only a food box located at one side of the store, they must traverse the length of the store to the cashier counter on the other side. This can be particularly frustrating during busy periods when queues are long. The lack of a dedicated cashier counter in the food section seems to be a missed opportunity for improving customer service.

Despite these issues, Donki remains a fun and unique shopping experience, particularly for those who have visited Japan and are familiar with the concept. However, for those who drive or are short on time, the parking fee policy and cashier counter placement may prove to be significant deterrents.

In addition to Donki, the mall also houses a Japanese diner and a variety of other stores. However, the parking fees apply throughout the mall, which has led to some visitors feeling that the mall does not offer anything exceptional to warrant the additional cost. The mall does feature a Hello Kitty World and an indoor play area, but these are not unique to this location and can be found elsewhere. The same applies to the Japanese restaurants within the mall. Despite these offerings, the high parking fees have left some visitors questioning whether a return visit is worthwhile.