The Spanish chef of Viva 8 makes huge platters of delicious seafood paella. Photos by Rebecca Lo / for China Daily

Only open on weekend evenings, it has a large outdoor series of stalls selling retro curios and second hand finds.

Along with rows of street snack stalls, there are also a few large warehouses with furniture and curios. One contains a bar with a live band and flavored sisha pipes for chilling out after shopping.

I loved that vendors drive up with their pick up trucks and vans, park, and sell anything from beer to T-shirts straight out of them. The atmosphere is fun, young and very local, with the crowds consisting mostly of kids on dates.

Khao San Road is still a lively place to stop by if you're on a budget, as its reputation as a backpacker's district means that you can pick up inexpensive souvenirs and a decent meal for practically nothing. The street ambience is ramped up with many of the restaurants offering live cover bands and al fresco dining.

Asiatique the Riverfront is a newer, more upscale version of the Thai night market situated along the river in Bangkor Laem district. Ferries shuttle back and forth between the main pier at Saphan Taksin to Asiatique, making it easy for visitors to get there.

Along with cheerfully lit shops and cafes, there is a giant ferries wheel and plenty of choices for visitors seeking mid-end goods. I found it a bit sanitized for my tastes, but can see the appeal of its mall and nightlife combination.

If you would rather browse in air-conditioned comfort, Siam Center has recently completed its makeover and is now a hip mall targeting young and young-at-heart fashionistas.

The top floor is devoted to casual dining with a large Food Republic at its center. Be sure to also stop by local handbag and accessories shop Naraya at Siam Discovery next door.

This branch has a wide selection of the colorfully patterned fabric bags in all sizes, and they are inexpensive, high-quality gifts for folks back home. They don't take up much room in a suitcase and weigh almost nothing, which means you can indulge in more retail therapy.

Restaurants in Khao San Road offer live cover bands and al fresco dining.