Being in the entertainment business, I always have to keep up with the trends and what’s a better place to learn what the locals are wearing than in Siam Square? The open air shopping complex is where some of the original Thai designers set up stores here. For a little splurge, I can just go across the street to Siam Paragon (991/1 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 26901000. www.siamparagon. co.th). It is huge, equipped with world designer brands and I could lose hours just browsing what they have. Coming to Siam alone can make me want to remodel my whole wardrobe.

When all the malls are closed and I still have an itch for shopping, I head to Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The best thing about this place (other than the endless rows of shops) is that it is at night so I don’t have to deal with sweltering heat. The shops here have mostly tourist favorites, with lots of Thai artwork and souvenirs, which are not really my taste. But good thing there is one zone (in the Lopburi soi) where I can get myself some cool fashion made by local designers. Suan Lum is really easy to find, right next to the Suan Lum subway station. For me, some of the most peculiar and exciting streets to walk down in Thailand are in Pattaya Beach and Patong Beach in Phuket. To some people, these might seem a bit dodgy, as there are a lot of girly bars and knock-off goods, but these streets are also home to lots of food stalls, cheap eats and cocktails on mobile carts. Closed off to traffic, they are a fascinating chance to people watch, and you have to experience them at least once.

Bangkok is a city of shopping with markets in almost every corner of town. But for the best  selection of original designs and creative products, Jatujak is the grandaddy of them all. Stylish people (like myself) love what merchants here have to offer. Aside from the creative clothing and accessories, Jatujak is where you can shop for souvenirs, used books, funky furniture and even exotic pets (though I don’t really support that). Since it’s only open on weekends it can get quite crowded and hot, but that is part of the experience!

When the weather is cool, the walking street I like to visit the most is Tha Pae in Chiang Mai. I love Chiang Mai because it is a city where you can still see the traditional and modern in one charming city. For this walking street, the merchants sell a variety of food and clothing, but what makes this market interesting is the one-of-a-kind souvenirs made by hand. The charm of the people that I meet on the street is also one of the reasons why I keep on coming back.

For someone like me, being up to date with the latest technology is a must. The best thing about Bangkok is that we get the latest in gadgets for much cheaper than other countries. The first place I go for deals on mobile phones and games is MBK Center +66 2620 9000 www.mbk-center.co.th). It’s huge, full of options, not to mention the convenient location next to the BTS Skytrain. The whole 4^th floor is dedicated to electronics, complete with accessories and softwares for your favorite tech toys. There are also good deals on clothes and souvenirs all over MBK.

When I want the latest streetwear fashion or trendy outfits without stretching the budget, I go to CentralWorld (Ratchadamri Road,+66 (0) 2640 7000 www.centralworld.co.th). The place is massive, home to two department stores, the youthful Zen and Japanese favorite Isetan. On the 7th floor is also Centerpoint, where Bangkok teens go for the latest in music and trends. You can get comics, games, clothes, and even a haircut here. Not to mention the food; it’s hard to decide where to eat, as you can find tasty dishes from all over the world.