New (big) Big C nearer Sukhumvit?

[NanLaew]

Tommy Dee on fabulous 103 FM has been mumbling about a new Big C that has opened up on Sukhumvit (?)... I think that's where it is as he's wonderfully vague with the location. Claims that it has been in the pipeline for a while but there was a huge, recent push by management and staff to get it open in light of the drama caused (to some) by the new found inaccessibility of the Big C Extra on Klang because of ... traffic management. Anyone else seen it or been there yet?

[Anthony5]

So since Big C extra was less accessible for the past 2 weeks, they quickly built and opened a new one?

Makes some sense.

[onemorechang]

Find it a bit hard to believe a new BigC opens in pattaya with out anyone spotting it being built.

Perhaps he was exaggerating and meant to say MiniC ?

[NanLaew]

No. Definitely a Big C and he said that it was on (or near) Sukhumvit and suggests that it's an older retail space they have acquired and it was a work in progress that got ramped up to address the current 'crisis'. Claims to have acres of parking too. He even mentions the butchers offering all the stuff that the rubbish "John and Wan" Big C Extra adverts on his radio station claim to provide.

Only Sukhumvit retail space that I recall emptying was the old Index Living Mall when they migrated across the street.

[joepattaya1961]

The only BIG thing that opened up recently along Sukhumvit is a HomePro, close to Boonthavorn, but who knows....there might be a hidden BogC too

[onemorechang]

The only BIG thing that opened up recently along Sukhumvit is a HomePro, close to Boonthavorn, but who knows....there might be a hidden BogC too

I like the typo, very good

[Asiantravel]

So since Big C extra was less accessible for the past 2 weeks, they quickly built and opened a new one?

Makes some sense.

[patsfangr]

Even if true, a location on Sukhumvit would hardly be ideal. Once onto Suk, which currently can only be entered or crossed from north of P. Nua, or south of P. Tai on the east side; one would then have to drive a considerable distance to get back home.

What is needed, and has been needed for several years, is a major supermarket a few kms east of Sukhumvit; perhaps on Soi Siam CC, east of the intersection with Nonprue Road (traffic signal 4.5 kms east of Suk); or on Chayapornwithi, again, east of the intersection with Nongprue Road. Both are major, 4 lane roads, with, it appears, plenty of space in the areas mentioned to build a full size supermarket with adequate parking. As noted many times before, there is now more than adequate population, both Thai and falang, on the east side to support such a business.

[NanLaew]

Even if true, a location on Sukhumvit would hardly be ideal. Once onto Suk, which currently can only be entered or crossed from north of P. Nua, or south of P. Tai on the east side; one would then have to drive a considerable distance to get back home.

What is needed, and has been needed for several years, is a major supermarket a few kms east of Sukhumvit; perhaps on Soi Siam CC, east of the intersection with Nonprue Road (traffic signal 4.5 kms east of Suk); or on Chayapornwithi, again, east of the intersection with Nongprue Road. Both are major, 4 lane roads, with, it appears, plenty of space in the areas mentioned to build a full size supermarket with adequate parking. As noted many times before, there is now more than adequate population, both Thai and falang, on the east side to support such a business.

There goes the neighborhood. Just like the Wal-Mart phenomenon which has been copied worldwide to the detriment of both inner cities and rural peace. Convenience has its price.

Soi Siam CC is hardly 4 lane apart from maybe about 200 yards either side of the traffic lights you mention and there's only 2-lanes on any of the Chayapornwithi's (filter lanes at intersections don't count).

Edited March 1, 2015 by NanLaew

[Anthony5]

No. Definitely a Big C and he said that it was on (or near) Sukhumvit and suggests that it's an older retail space they have acquired and it was a work in progress that got ramped up to address the current 'crisis'. Claims to have acres of parking too. He even mentions the butchers offering all the stuff that the rubbish "John and Wan" Big C Extra adverts on his radio station claim to provide.

Only Sukhumvit retail space that I recall emptying was the old Index Living Mall when they migrated across the street.

And that one has definitely not acres of parking space. I guess hardly 100 cars can park there.

I guess similar as with all other claims from Big C, especially those about their quality, it is just baseless.

[ThaiBob]

I heard Tommy Dee say something about the Big C Extra concept on Pattaya Klang was being expanded to the the existing Sukumwit location. Look for expanded bakery and meat department. I hope this is true as the Sukumwit store pales in comparison to its big brother on Pattaya Klang.

Edited March 1, 2015 by ThaiBob

[KittenKong]

I suspect that what the admirable Tommy Dee was talking about was the "new" BigC on Sukumvit/Klang that used to be a Carrefour. As far as I know they are planning to renovate this and provide a better bakery section etc.

Otherwise it's hard to imagine a new BigC that's nearer to Sukumvit than actually being on Sukumvit. But maybe I lack imagination.

[patsfangr]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

[thaiclan]

I was on my way to Big C Pattaya Klang this morning when I heard Tommy Dee on his news segment say that the South Pattaya Big C had brought forward their Big C Extra concept plans to this store so now people didn't have to contend with Pattaya Klang traffic.

Great I thought as I drove past Makro and decided to go to Big C South Pattaya (haven't been there for about 2 years!).

Anyway I was completely disappointed! The vegetable produce was not as fresh, plus no items such as aubergine, watercress, vine tomatoes or portabello mushrooms.

The bakery (which Tommy Dee had particularly mentioned) was awful. White bread only, not even a brown mix loaf let alone multi seed or multi grain.

The butchers had no sausages even in the frozen section with a big sign saying bacon & sausages there was only bacon.

I was very disappointed (maybe at myself for believing a radio show who has a main sponsor of Big C Extra! lol) and I may leave it another 2 years before venturing back.

I usually get to Big C extra at 8:30am before all the traffic has built up. What I like about it is all the cooked meats are ready at that early hour. At Big C South Pattaya even at 9:30 the chickens still had 37mins left of cooking. So Big C South Pattaya is not the place for early shoppers either.

No problem with Big C South Pattaya if you usually shop at Tesco - its pretty much the same goods.

[MrWorldwide]

Only Big C I need is my Big C Extra near the corner of Klang and Third Road, and thats a considerable walk from Suk. I hate shopping centre renos - they take forever and when the new shops are finally unveiled its inevitably wanky, expensive stuff that appeals only to women with a Farang sponsor

[MrWorldwide]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

I have the brains - just need about 20 million baht and we're off to the races.

[Anthony5]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

I have the brains - just need about 20 million baht and we're off to the races.

If you think that you can open a foodland 3 times the size of the current one with 20 million Baht, it is clear that you DON"T have the brains.

[MrWorldwide]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

I have the brains - just need about 20 million baht and we're off to the races.

If you think that you can open a foodland 3 times the size of the current one with 20 million Baht, it is clear that you DON"T have the brains.

That's my consultancy fee - sheesh, do I have to take you by the hand and lead you to the bank ? Like my mate Bangkok Billy, I'm an ideas man - let's not sweat the small stuff, OK ?

[MrWorldwide]

FWIW, Billy's grand vision was abandoned after the pub's backers had sunk over 25 million baht into what is basically a facade. Apparently it didnt stop him landing another gig in BKK - we ideas men dont let a little thing like abject failure stand in our way.

[thaiclan]

I think the point here is there is NOT a new Big C. Its the same old Big C on South Pattaya but with some added goods and a "better" bakery and butcher section.

They have changed the car park slightly to make it easier to come off of Sukhmavit and access the carpark from the HomeWorks side.

[balo]

I hope this is happening, I live closer to Big C S-Pattaya. Now Makro has a much wider selection than Big C.

[Anthony5]

I hope this is happening, I live closer to Big C S-Pattaya. Now Makro has a much wider selection than Big C.

I was at Makro on Friday and noticed that many of their products were higher priced than Big C and even Foodland.I'm talking about cooking oil, raw chicken, Bayer insect spray and Thai Danish milk. And then you even have to buy in bulk.

I left empty handed and not sure if I will return any time soon to a CP business.

[KittenKong]

I was on my way to Big C Pattaya Klang this morning when I heard Tommy Dee on his news segment say that the South Pattaya Big C had brought forward their Big C Extra concept plans to this store so now people didn't have to contend with Pattaya Klang traffic.

Great I thought as I drove past Makro and decided to go to Big C South Pattaya (haven't been there for about 2 years!).

Anyway I was completely disappointed! The vegetable produce was not as fresh, plus no items such as aubergine, watercress, vine tomatoes or portabello mushrooms.

The bakery (which Tommy Dee had particularly mentioned) was awful. White bread only, not even a brown mix loaf let alone multi seed or multi grain.

The butchers had no sausages even in the frozen section with a big sign saying bacon & sausages there was only bacon.

I was very disappointed (maybe at myself for believing a radio show who has a main sponsor of Big C Extra! lol) and I may leave it another 2 years before venturing back.

If you do venture back in 2 years you should actually see the results of the planned improvement.

As far as I know they haven't actually started on the work at all.

I am also looking forward to the improvements (when they happen) at the Sukumvit/Tai store as it is much easier for me to get to from Jomtien than the one on Klang is.

[KittenKong]

I was at Makro on Friday and noticed that many of their products were higher priced than Big C and even Foodland.I'm talking about cooking oil, raw chicken, Bayer insect spray and Thai Danish milk. And then you even have to buy in bulk.

Some items are indeed more expensive at Makro. But some aren't.

For 15B at Makro I can get two or three fresh decent lettuces whereas one limp skinny thing at BigC (or Tesco) would cost me the same or more.

But the selection of imported items is vastly superior at BigC than at Makro.

So it's horses for courses, as is usual all over the world.

[lonewolf99]

Amazing Thailand. A whole thread based on maybe something an 80's "Smashie and Nicey" style DJ might or might not have said.

There is a fading sign on Theprasit Road hailing the fact that Foodland is coming soon to Jomtien....I am not about to go purple in the face holding my breath for that to happen...

For those that don't know, look up Harry Enfield...ref DJ style.

[champers]

See this https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deptford+draylons

[tropo]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

I have the brains - just need about 20 million baht and we're off to the races.

If you think that you can open a foodland 3 times the size of the current one with 20 million Baht, it is clear that you DON"T have the brains.

So how much would it cost?

[Anthony5]

What if there were a Foodland, about 3 times the size of the one on P. Klang, located about 6 kms east of Sukhumvit? Would it do any business?

Isn't there anybody with both brains and money enough to do this?!

I have the brains - just need about 20 million baht and we're off to the races.

If you think that you can open a foodland 3 times the size of the current one with 20 million Baht, it is clear that you DON"T have the brains.

So how much would it cost?

Did I say that I know how much it cost?

Only someone who is completely detached from reality would not realise that the current foodland has more than 20 million Baht of goods and appliances on it's premises, and then you don't count the real estate.

[NanLaew]

Then I was duped by somewhat incorrect or rather imprecise radio garbage about a station sponsor. Big C Extra has always been the pits, especially their bakery. The stories of bad smelling meat and other 'past their prime' stuff being panned off is the stuff of legend. To claim that using Soi Yume is their solution to the current accessibility issues is also disingenuous as the bloody soi and back entrance has ALWAYS been there for those that don't need GPS, both hands and a flashlight to find their own <deleted>. Maybe they took down the 'Trucks Only' sign from the Yume end of the road behind the building... the sign that most people ignored anyway.

As you were.

[ThaiBob]

Then I was duped by somewhat incorrect or rather imprecise radio garbage about a station sponsor. Big C Extra has always been the pits, especially their bakery. The stories of bad smelling meat and other 'past their prime' stuff being panned off is the stuff of legend. To claim that using Soi Yume is their solution to the current accessibility issues is also disingenuous as the bloody soi and back entrance has ALWAYS been there for those that don't need GPS, both hands and a flashlight to find their own <deleted>. Maybe they took down the 'Trucks Only' sign from the Yume end of the road behind the building... the sign that most people ignored anyway.

As you were.

Tiss a bit harsh. Carrefour was the best Pattaya had to offer and I think most people feel Big C Extra have carried the torch successfully with only a few stumbles. Now let's not talk about Tesco, then we really have something to complain about.