Everyone knows about the major shopping spots in Bangkok such as Siam Square, MBK, Central World Plaza, Chatuchak etc. These can become a little too familiar after a few visits, so I thought I'd throw another name into that particular hat!

The Platinum Fashion Mall is another behemoth on the Bangkok shopping landscape. It is located on Thanon Petchaburi, not far from Pantip Plaza and around the corner from Central World Plaza. If you are in Bangkok but not able to make the Weekend Market at Chatuchak, or fancy a bit of air conditioned comfort, then this is your place! It offers a lot of the same goods as Chatuchak at similar prices. Bargains can be had if buying in bulk. You see a lot of locals wandering around with those huge, colourful and stripy plastic bags on wheels so it must be good!

There's also a big food court on the top level. My daughter particularly loved the shop selling nothing but Mr Men clothes on the ground floor.

Another tip if you like wandering around local food markets is "Talat Rung Charoen". This is a bit out of the way from the normal tourist hang outs, but you are rewarded with an authentic local's market, crammed full of fresh produce and lots of small shops opposite, selling religious paraphernalia, electric goods, small restaurants and more. To get there you need to take a taxi to Sathu Pradit Soi 33, accessed off either Thanon Sathu Pradit or Thanon Nonsi. As a general landmark for taxi drivers, it is located across the other side of the expressway from Central Rama III (in Thai, "Centan Ram Saam") and just down the road from Tesco Lotus Rama III (in Thai, "Lotat Ram Saam").

If you get there, let me know!

Matthew's Travel Website, http://www.matthewt.co.uk My blog, http://matthewted.blogspot.com