In order to savour the true essence of Bangkok's street life, incorporating shopping and dining, one must visit popular haunts such as the Patpong Night Market. The place is an amalgamation of shopping and the famous nightlife of Bangkok. But since we are concentrating on just shopping, make your way past the go-go bars and head over to the strip occupied by the market stalls. The place sells just about every type of consumer good, including a rather large collection of designer brand knock-offs; not too shabby, these items come quite close to the real thing in looks if not quality. So, if you are on a budget, Patpong Night Market is the place to visit for a taking back a large haul of goodies and gifts. Mind you practise your bargaining skills and keep a sharp eye for items that may fall apart before you leave the airport. This being said, Patpong Market is ideal for a taste of local culture and it does yield a couple of good buys, to the trained eye. The market is open from 6 pm onwards.