Some of Bangkok’s best temple include Wat Trimitr on Trimmitr Road with its five and a half ton solid gold Buddha, and Wat Po (next to the Grand Palace on Thai Wang Road) and its huge reclining Buddha. Wat Po is incidentally the first center of public education and sometimes referred as ThailandÕs first university.

There’s also Wat Pra Kaew (on the grounds of the Grand Palace) which houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in the Thailand, and considered one of the world’s greatest sights.

If you’re out early enough, from the Grand Palace, you can look across the Chao Phraya River to see a pagoda sparkle in the light of the morning sun, heralding the new day. Aptly named Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn, the sparkling central pagoda is 79 meter-tall, and fully encrusted with porcelain.

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Of course, you could always enjoy the convenience and luxury of driving around in a rented vehicle from Budget. Navigating and driving around the streets of Bangkok is an adventure in itself!

For something different, why not hop onto a Tuk Tuk? A Bangkok institution, these 3-wheeled open-air “cans on wheels” weave in and out of the traffic with abandon, and will have you clinging on even as the adrenalin hit you.

Bangkok now has the Skytrain, a well-established and convenient overhead rail system that connects the main shopping, entertainment and business areas in the city. If youÕre new to Bangkok, it’s a great and convenient way to get around. Major shopping malls such as Siam Paragon, Chatuchak weekend market, even the river, are accessible by Skytrain.

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Thai massage focuses on circulation and pressure points, promoting both internal health and muscular flexibility. Elbows, feet, knees and forearms are used to execute strokes and manipulations, making it a very physical experience. In fact, a massage session often sees both parties conjoined in contortions that look more painful than rewarding, though the results are often the exact opposite!

Conveniently located in the heart of Sukhumvit, Wasikan House of Spa is an oasis of relaxation and a refreshing pit stop. Wasikan offers a host of rejuvenating treatments ranging from Thai Herbal Massage and Royal Thai Massage to Aromatherapy Massage and the Wasikan Spa Package.

Give your feet some love with Yin-Yang Massage and SpaÕs signature 90-minute ginger foot reflexology. Designed to boost blood circulation and balance body and mind, itÕs perfect after an entire day of exploring Bangkok.

For the ultimate in comfort, Spa At Home will bring the pampering to you. Simply lay back, close your eyes, and enjoy the ultimate in luxury and comfort in the privacy of your own room.

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You’ll never go hungry in Bangkok because a street stall is probably within a hundred meters of wherever you are! A simple cart, a couple of fold-out tables and stools on a pavement, and you have an ad hoc stall serving simple fare such as pork noodle soup or the quintessential pad thai, traditional stir-fried Thai noodles. There’re also makeshift stalls serving up steamed chicken rice, fruits, and grilled skewers. If you’re concerned about hygiene, just take a look for yourself: If the food looks fresh and its thoroughly cooked in front of you, itÕs generally safe to eat.

For a bit of fine dining, you can’t go wrong with Koi Restaurant, centrally located in the shopping stretch of Sukhumvit. The restaurant’s opulent setting and fusion of Japanese with Californian cuisine are not only friendly to foreign tastes, but brings fine dining to new heights.

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Back in the early 1960s, this small fishing village on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand had a sudden influx of American soldiers and sailors seeking rest and recreation. It has since blossomed into a seaside city where the sun, sand, and fun keeps visitors coming back regularly. A beautiful panorama awaits you at the Mark-land Hotel in North Pattaya, with all rooms at the 27-storey hotel offering a stunning view of the ocean and Thailand’s off-shore islands.

Drive a further 15 minutes south of Pattaya and you’ll hit the fishing village of Bang Saray. Due to its location and idyllic setting, Bang Saray has been slightly developed to cater for visitors. The village still retains its charm, and offers an excellent opportunity for relaxing and savoring local barbecue and seafood dishes. Ruantalay Restaurant delivers just that: fresh seafood in an old world setting. Overlooking Bang Saray Bay, the restaurant’s floor is built above the sea, setting a relaxing ambience for meals. The menu offers a smorgasbord of seafood delights, freshness guaranteed.

For nature-lovers, Kanchanaburi lies 130 kilometers west of Bangkok, and is Thailand’s third largest province. Attractions include waterfalls, mountains, caves, national parks, and the River Kwai. Venture into the jungle of the Erawan National Park and you’ll find the unique Erawan Waterfalls. Its seven levels of cascading waters is ranked among the most beautiful falls in Asia, and certainly worth a visit. At the Pung-Waan Resort Kwai Noi, you’re literally living in the bosom of nature as the resort is located on the Kwai Noi River, a tributary of the River Kwai. With a sprawling 120 acres of land, you can be sure thereÕs enough scenery and sights to keep you occupied in this sanctuary away from the city.

Whether it’s dining, temples, markets, or nature, Bangkok’s delights are just waiting to be discovered by the inquisitive traveler.

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