Flower power

If you're headed up to Bangkok in the middle of the month, make it a point to detour from your favourite street food stalls to the shopping meccas of Central Chidlom and Central Embassy. As part of the 70th anniversary celebrations for Central Department store, the two malls will be turned into lush flower gardens.

Every floor will be converted into walk-in flower arrangements created by some of Thailand's best known designers. The two malls are connected by a bridge so expect to spend an afternoon of flower gazing while you're there.

Central Chidlom is the flagship store of the family-owned Central Group, which introduced Thais to one-stop shopping decades ago, while Central Embassy is its tribute to super high-end luxury shopping which also incorporates the recently opened Park Hyatt hotel. But even if you're not looking for high designer fashion, the flowers will be worth checking out, plus the very decent basement food court.