The city of angels is a divine destination for those who are in heaven when they shop, spa and eat, as Guo Yali discovers.

Even if you are just in town for a few days, shopping in Bangkok is an experience not to be missed. From gleaming air-conditioned malls to cheerful markets, there is a wide variety of ways to while away the hours indulging in some enjoyable retail therapy, add a massage or spa, and discover some delicious local delicacies, and you have a trip made in heaven for those who like to keep the purse strings open.

CentralWorld, the largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, lights up Rajdamri Road, in Central Bangkok. A buzzing retail and entertainment space, it is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the city.

Asiatique The Riverfront night bazaar, launched in 2012, has become the trendiest place to spend an evening in Bangkok. Photos provided to China Daily

International designer fashion brands such as Kate Spade are available in Central Chidlom Department Store, one of Bangkok's top shopping destinations.

Central Bangkok, the heart of life in the city

At the heart of bustling sweltering Bangkok is the upmarket lifestyle hub of Central Bangkok, the area bounded by Ploenchit Road, Wireless Road, Rama IV Road and Rajdamri Road, which is home to many of the city's five-star hotels and embassies and also the pleasant Lumphini Park with its wild monitor lizards and turtles.

It's in Central Bangkok that you'll also find the tempting delights and welcoming chilled interiors of refined palaces of luxury consumption such as Central Chidlom.

One of the world's most prestigious department stores, the seven-story flagship store of Thailand's leading retail group is situated on Bangkok's premier shopping avenue, Ploenchit Road, and has a "one-stop shopping" philosophy featuring a wide selection of goods from both international and top local brand names.

In-store services include personal fashion stylists who'll provide professional advice on the attire, make-up, hair styling and accessories that will suit you best.

For Muslim customers there's a prayer room located on the 6th floor.

The store is also a participant in Bangkok's VAT refund for tourists scheme, which means most tourists will be able to claim a VAT refund of from 4 to 6.1 percent if they spend 2,000 baht ($64) or more in a day and claim a refund at the airport.

The store also has a not-to-be-missed Food Loft, which features a difficult-to-decide choice of mouthwatering dishes from a wide range of different cuisines.

Just a few minutes walk from Chidlom is one of Bangkok's most popular and exciting recreational destinations for young urbanites. CentralWorld is a buzzing 550,000 square meters - that's 77 soccer fields - of retail and entertainment, including two mega stores ZEN and Isetan, more than 500 stores, 100-plus restaurants, a 15-screen cinema, an ice skating rink and the largest supermarket in Asia. There is even a 5-star hotel, the Centara Grand at CentralWorld should you want a home away from home in the area. And if you have kids in tow but want to indulge your own I-want inner child, you can drop them off at the play and learning centers, Thailand Knowledge Park or Genius Planet Zone, where there are trained supervisors to keep an eye on them and guarantee they make the most of the edutainment environments.

CentralWorld is huge and there is so much to see and do you'll find time flies and your legs getting sore. While there is no way to turn back the clock there is ready relief for the latter as there are number of outlets offering Thai massages and spa treatments inside the mall.

For some relaxing refueling Heaven on the roof of Zen World Tower offers the choice of four rooftop restaurants offering taste bud temptations and some bird's eye views.

What to buy

Luxury goods from international brands such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Vivienne Westwood at Chidlom, and leading Thai designers such as Flynow and Jaspal, as well as other local favorites, such as Thann, for spa products, and NaRaYa for bags.

How to get there

Chidlom BTS Skytrain Station gives direct access to Central Chidlom Department Store and there is a skywalk from the station to CentralWorld.

http://www.shoppingatcentral.com/

http://www.centralworld.co.th/th/index.aspx

Asiatique The Riverfront, the trendy new night bazaar

Opened in 2012, Bangkok's newest night bazaar, Asiatique The Riverfront, has quickly become a favorite place for young and trendy Thais to spend an evening, as it is an appealing combination of street market, mall, riverside dining, shows and strolls.

The largest waterfront see-buy-and-eat venue in the city, Asiatique has more than 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants housed in a re-creation of the pier and warehouses that were built for a Danish export company in 1907.

Many of the stalls at Asiatique have been transplanted from the old much-loved Suan Lum Night Market and they make for good souvenir and gift hunting. The main eating area is an open food court with vendors offering mostly Thai food, while closer to the river you'll find more upscale dining options. For after-meal entertainment take a romantic ride on the Ferris wheel or take in a show at the famous Calypso ladyboy cabaret or the Joe Louis Puppet Theater.

What to buy

Tourist goods such as elephant souvenirs, and clothes, bags and jewelry by up-and-coming young Thai designers.

How to get there

Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin station and take the free ferry shuttle from the pier. The shuttle operates from 17:00 to 23:00 every evening.

http://www.thaiasiatique.com

A vendor prepares food at a stand in Chatuchak Weekend Market, a huge flea market in northern Bangkok that has become a must-visit place for tourists.

Chatuchak, the traditional weekend flea market

You'll find almost everything at this enormous exhilarating must-see weekend market, and at local prices - so long as you pick up the local bargaining skills.

Boasting more than 8,000 stalls in 27 Sections you can get practically everything you can imagine, and possibly some things you can't, at JJ Market as the locals call it.

The market is huge, larger than 20 soccer fields, so pick up a free map from one of the information kiosks before you start exploring so you don't get lost. And, as is true of any crowded place, be on alert for pickpockets.

As most of the market is without air conditioning, try to get there early in the morning when it's cooler, and come prepared with plenty of water and energy - you'll need them - as well as plenty of cash as most of the stalls don't take cards.

What to buy

Thai handcrafts, wooden carvings, handmade herbal soaps and essential oils.

How to get there

By SkyTrain BTS to Sapan Khwai or Mochit Station; by MRT to Kamphaeng Phet or Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park) station

The weekend market is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 09:00-18:00, and Fridays 18:00-24:00

http://www.chatuchak.org/

Jim Thompson's shop in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is open 24 hours should you run out of time to shop in town.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, duty free shop and souvenir shops

The airport will be your last shopping opportunity during your trip. But first, don't forget to go to the VAT Return desk in the departures hall to get a seal on your P.P.10 VAT refund forms, and once you're through passport control you can pick up your refund in cash for a 100-baht fee. (check http://www.rd.go.th/vrt/howwill.html for more information on VAT Return)

Once that's out of the way, you can get down to the serious business of hitting the duty-free shops for chocolates and cosmetics, perfume, alcohol and tobacco. But don't miss the final opportunity to buy those made-in-Thailand products that make such great gifts.

What to buy

Jim Thompson Thai silk products, Doi Tung handicrafts, coffee and macadamia nuts, dried fruits, and made-on-site snacks like crispy rice cakes.

How to get there

Taxi, bus, Airport Rail Link. The shops are always open.

http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com

(China Daily 10/06/2013 page10)