Description: Not to be missed. King Rama I, who was first of the present ruling dynasty, built the Grand Palace walled city in 1782 and it is Thailand's most revered place. Thais, who visit for free, often come to pay respects. It has become more opulent with each new king – the current one is Rama IX – with many temples, buildings, murals and statues. Wat Phra Keo temple is Thailand's most important, where the green jade Emerald Buddha is housed. There's so much to see it's almost overwhelming during one visit and warrants several. The king no longer lives on the grounds, but some parts are occasionally used for official functions, such as ambassadorial visits.

 

Description: During the second world war, Jim Thompson served with the OSS, the organization that later became the CIA. At the end of the war he finished up in Thailand and, after trying out some other business ventures, turned to the Thai silk industry. He is now credited with saving it. Having mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967, he has left behind a series of remarkable houses, made from homes he bought upcountry and rebuilt on his grounds in Bangkok. Add to this his collection of furniture and artworks and his home is a fascinating museum. A silk and souvenir shop as well as a restaurant are also on the grounds.

 

Description: Klongs, the canals that crisscross Bangkok, have declined in number over the years and are not the waterways they were, when the city was dubbed the “Venice of the East.” However, enough remain on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River to make klong tours worthwhile. Pile into a longtail boat and watch the world pass you by. You’ll get a fascinating insight into how the locals live their lives, floating as you do so close to their houses. Your hotel will be able to recommend klong tours, or you can simply turn up at the pier at the end of the Skytrain at Taksin bridge, next to the Shangri-La Hotel. Trips range from B600 and up for an hour or more and often stop by the Royal Barge Museum.

 

Description: A big part of the culture and fascinating to watch, Thai boxing involves two competitors dancing around each other in a play of wits then bursting into a flurry of flashing fists and flying feet. Fighters can use their gloved hands, elbows and feet, but certain parts of the body are off-limits. Watch the crowd and their reactions, as well as the gambling sessions taking place in the middle and back sections. You can buy tickets at the door – each session includes a number of fights, so don’t worry if you’re a little late. If you want to secure entrance in advance, most hotels can also arrange tickets – ringside is the most expensive. Fights are also held at Lumphini Stadium (Lumphini Park, Rama IV Road; phone 02 251-4303; Tuesday and Friday 6pm, Saturday 5pm and 8:30pm).

 

Description: Home to one of the world’s best collections of Southeast Asian art and a vast collection of Thai artifacts. Many masterpieces from the provinces are now here, sometimes to the consternation of provincial museums, but it’s a great place to gain a real overview of Thai history. There are bronze tools and ceramic utensils from Ban Chiang, dating back to 3000-4000BC and on up through the rest of Thai history. The Khmer period is very well represented, as are the Sukhothai period of the 13th-14th centuries and the Ayutthaya period between the 1300s and 1700s.

 

Description: Most of the major riverfront hotels offer dinner cruises, although some of the boats can be a bit big and get a little noisy. Choose one of the above hotels and you’re in safe hands; you’ll dine on a converted teak barge or a sleek riverboat while you float through the city in comfort. The Manohra Song, at the Marriot Royal Garden Riverside, is on a converted teak barge and superlative for its service and food. A Thai lady plays traditional music as you dine and glide, and you’ll feel like royalty on the river of kings. One of the most memorable ways to see the city, with wonderfully attentively service.

 

Description: The magnificent ceremonial royal barges are stored and maintained here between the special occasions when they are used. Various sized boats include the largest, red-and-gold royal “Suphannahongse” (Golden Swan), carved from a single 150-foot-long teak log, weighing in at 15 tons and requiring 50 oarsmen to move it. The king rides in this one, but there are many others to see, including some that are intricately carved to represent creatures from the Ramakien mythology. Most of the vessels were made in the early 1900s and restored only in recent years. You need to take a boat to get here.

 

Description: A collection of antique teak houses dating back hundreds of years, though there is still some debate as to when the murals inside the Lacquer Pavilion were created. Some say during the reign of King Narai, between 1656-1699, while others argue they were produced during the reign of King Rama I, the first ruler in the current dynasty. Either way, they’re well worth seeing, as are the grounds with their lotus pools among well-maintained lawns. Also find Buddha statues, traditional paintings and porcelain.

 

Description: A traditional Thai massage should be a part of everyone’s visit. Ask your hotel to recommend one; they are very common. The Wat Pho style of massage for two hours starts with the feet then works up the legs, then the arms. Once finished there, you roll over and the masseur works on your back, then neck. It feels good, but better still, it leaves you rejuvenated. Two-hour massages go from as little as B300 to more than B2000 in the swanky hotels. Both men and women masseurs are available, and tipping B100 is a fine idea. And for the really enthusiastic, you can study Thai massage at Wat Pho as well as several other private schools.

 

Description: Considered the largest golden teak structure in the world, the Vimanmek Mansion was originally built in 1868 on Koh Si Chang island, a few hours south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand. It was moved to Bangkok in 1910 and became the king’s residence for five years while the Grand Palace was being renovated. Translated as “Cloud Mansion,” its spacious grounds cover 19 other buildings, many packed with small museums of their own. There are classical Thai dancing shows at 10:30am and 2pm, and admission is free if you have a ticket from the Grand Palace that’s less than a week old.