Shopping in Bangkok.

The landmark riverside megamall on the Thonburi bank pairs global luxury flagships with SookSiam, an indoor recreation of a Thai floating market and regional food hall under one roof. Reached by the Gold Line or a free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier, it is as much a destination as a shopping trip - fountains, riverside promenade and some of the best mall dining in the city.

The Siam BTS interchange is Bangkok's retail heart. Paragon runs from luxury brands and a huge gourmet supermarket to Sea Life aquarium; Siam Center and Discovery lean younger and design-led. Everything is connected by covered skywalks to MBK and CentralWorld, so you can shop the whole district without stepping into the heat.

The 'EM District' at Phrom Phong BTS is the prime expat mall cluster - Emporium and EmQuartier for luxury and mid-range fashion, and the newer EmSphere for a food-hall, IKEA city store and event hall. Directly on the Sukhumvit line and ringed by the top condo belt, this is where most central residents do their everyday and weekend shopping.

CentralWorld at Chidlom/Siam is one of Southeast Asia's largest malls, anchored by Central and Zen department stores. The Central chain blankets the city - Central Embassy for luxury, CentralPlaza Ladprao, Rama 9, Westgate and Bang Na for the suburbs - so wherever you live there is a full-service Central mall with a supermarket, cinema and food court nearby.

Terminal 21 at Asoke (each floor themed as a world city) is a fun, affordable favourite with a famously cheap food court. Add Central Rama 9, Gaysorn, MBK and the Mega Bangna complex out east, and Bangkok's mid-market mall scene covers fashion, phones, homeware and dining at prices well below the luxury flagships.

The legendary weekend market near Mo Chit BTS and Chatuchak Park MRT has more than 15,000 stalls across 27 sections - clothing, vintage, plants, home decor, art, pets and endless street food. Go early on Saturday or Sunday morning before the heat and crowds peak, wear light clothing, carry cash and small notes, and agree prices before buying. The adjacent JJ Green and plant market run alongside.

For cheap fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood, neighbourhood fresh (wet) markets beat the supermarket on price and quality - Or Tor Kor near Chatuchak is the famous clean, upscale example, while Khlong Toei is the vast wholesale market that supplies the city. Most residential districts have a local morning or evening market; bring cash and a bag.

Bangkok's night markets mix fashion, crafts, vintage and food - Jodd Fairs at Rama 9 and Ratchada is the current favourite, with others coming and going. The classic tourist strips at Patpong, Sukhumvit and Silom sell souvenirs, clothing and knock-offs; haggle hard, expect tourist pricing and check goods carefully before you pay.

Pak Khlong Talat, the 24-hour flower market near the old town, is a sensory highlight and cheap for fresh blooms. Add antique and art markets, the amulet market by the river, and pop-up weekend fairs at malls and parks - Bangkok always has a market on somewhere, and they are among the best free things to do in the city.

MBK Center near Siam is the traditional hub for phones, accessories, repairs and second-hand gear, while Pantip Plaza and Fortune Town (Rama 9) cover computers, components and cameras. For sealed, warrantied goods most residents prefer the Power Buy, Banana IT and iStudio outlets inside Central and other malls, or online via Lazada and Shopee - compare before buying, and bargain in the plazas.

Kitting out a rental is easy: IKEA (Bang Na, Sukhumvit/EmSphere city store and Ladprao) is the default for flat-pack furniture and homeware, with HomePro and Index Living Mall for larger pieces and appliances, and Boonthavorn for tiles and fittings. For budget basics and kitchenware, the big-box Big C and Lotus's hypermarkets and the Chatuchak home-decor section are hard to beat on price.

Bangkok is a long-standing tailoring destination - bespoke suits, shirts and dresses at a fraction of Western prices, clustered around Sukhumvit, Silom and the Charoen Krung/riverside area. Allow time for at least two fittings, be specific about cloth and cut, and favour established shops with real reviews over the aggressive touts near tourist strips who promise a suit overnight.

For imported food, Gourmet Market (Paragon, EmQuartier), Villa Market, Tops and the UK-style Marks & Spencer Food and Foodland (many open 24 hours) stock Western brands, cheeses, wines and specialty ingredients. Japanese residents have Don Don Donki and UFM Fuji; Indian and halal groceries cluster around Phahurat (Little India) and Nana. Everyday basics are cheapest at Big C, Lotus's and Makro.

Siam is the all-in-one shopping core; Phrom Phong (the EM District) is the prime expat everyday choice; Chidlom/Ploenchit holds the luxury flagships; Chatuchak/Mo Chit is the weekend-market north; Rama 9 mixes malls with the Jodd Fairs night market; and the riverside is anchored by ICONSIAM. Most condo areas also have a Central or mid-market mall and a fresh market within a short ride.

For luxury and a day out, ICONSIAM on the river and the Siam Paragon/CentralWorld/Central Embassy cluster around Siam and Chidlom lead the city. For everyday expat shopping, the EM District (EmQuartier, Emporium and EmSphere) at Phrom Phong is the prime central choice, with Terminal 21 at Asoke a fun, affordable favourite. Wherever you live, a full-service Central mall with a supermarket and food court is usually close by.

Yes - Chatuchak (JJ) is one of the world's largest markets, with over 15,000 stalls of clothing, vintage, home decor, plants, art and street food near Mo Chit BTS and Chatuchak Park MRT. It is open mainly on Saturday and Sunday. Go early in the morning before the heat and crowds, wear light clothing, carry small-note cash, and haggle politely before buying.

IKEA (Bang Na, the Sukhumvit/EmSphere city store and Ladprao) is the go-to for affordable flat-pack furniture and homeware, with HomePro and Index Living Mall for larger pieces and appliances, and Boonthavorn for tiles and fittings. For budget kitchenware and basics, the Big C and Lotus's hypermarkets and Chatuchak's home-decor section are cheapest. Many stores deliver and assemble for a small fee.

MBK Center near Siam is the classic hub for phones, accessories and repairs; Pantip Plaza and Fortune Town cover computers and cameras. For sealed, warrantied products most residents use the Power Buy, Banana IT and iStudio outlets inside malls, or buy online via Lazada and Shopee. Compare prices and bargain in the IT plazas, and keep receipts for warranty.

Gourmet Market (Siam Paragon, EmQuartier), Villa Market, Tops, Marks & Spencer Food and the often-24-hour Foodland stock Western brands, cheese, wine and specialty ingredients. Don Don Donki and UFM Fuji cover Japanese goods, while Phahurat (Little India) and Nana have Indian and halal groceries. For cheap everyday basics, Big C, Lotus's and the wholesale Makro are the value options.