The best things to do in Bangkok

1.The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The former royal palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred temple, behind white walls by the river.

Tip: Cover shoulders and knees. Ignore anyone outside who says the palace is closed today: it's a well-known scam.

2.Wat Pho

The 46-metre gold Reclining Buddha, a short walk south of the palace, in one of Bangkok's oldest temples.

Tip: Wat Pho is the home of a traditional Thai massage school; you can book a massage in the grounds.

3.Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn, its central tower covered in porcelain, on the west bank opposite Wat Pho.

Tip: Cross on the small ferry from Tha Tien pier. The best view of it lit up is from the Old Town bank after dark.

4.The Golden Mount (Wat Saket)

A temple on an artificial hill, reached by about 300 steps, with views over the Old Town rooftops.

Tip: In November, during Loy Krathong, a temple fair takes over the grounds.

5.Khao San RoadFree

The backpacker street: bars, street food and stalls, loud until late every night.

Tip: Quieter Soi Rambuttri, one street over, is better for dinner.

6.The National Museum

Thailand's largest museum, in a former palace next to Sanam Luang, covering Thai art and history.

Tip: It's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

7.Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium

Thai boxing at the oldest stadium in the city, a short ride from the Old Town, with fights most nights.

Tip: Ringside seats are the priciest; the upper tiers are where Thai fans shout and bet.

8.Yaowarat street food

After dark, Chinatown's main road fills with stalls selling noodles, seafood and dim sum under neon signs.

Tip: Go after 6pm. Some stalls close on Mondays, when many Bangkok streets are cleaned.

9.Wat Traimit

The temple of the Golden Buddha, a seated statue of solid gold weighing about 5.5 tonnes, at the edge of Chinatown.

10.Pak Khlong Talat flower marketFree

Bangkok's flower market, open around the clock, with stacks of orchids and marigold garlands.

Tip: It's busiest and most colourful late at night, when deliveries arrive.

11.The Chao Phraya Express Boat

River boats stop at piers for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chinatown and the riverside hotels.

Tip: Sathorn pier connects to the BTS at Saphan Taksin. The orange-flag boat stops at most piers.

12.ICONSIAM

A huge riverside mall with an indoor floating market of Thai street food on its ground floor.

Tip: Free shuttle boats run from Sathorn pier.

13.Jim Thompson House

The teak houses and garden of the American who revived the Thai silk trade, near the National Stadium BTS.

Tip: The house can only be seen on a guided tour, which runs through the day.

14.The Siam mallsFree

Siam Paragon, Siam Center and CentralWorld, linked by elevated walkways, with food courts and an aquarium.

Tip: The food halls are a good, air-conditioned place to try Thai dishes at fixed prices.

15.The Erawan ShrineFree

A busy Hindu shrine at the Ratchaprasong junction where people leave flowers and pay dancers to perform.

16.Lumpini ParkFree

Bangkok's central park, with a lake, pedal boats, open-air aerobics at dusk and large monitor lizards.

Tip: Go early morning or late afternoon; it gets very hot by midday.

17.A rooftop bar

Silom and Sathorn have some of the city's highest rooftop bars, looking over the river and the skyline.

Tip: Most have a dress code: no shorts, vests or flip-flops.

18.Thonglor and Ekkamai nights

The smart end of Sukhumvit, with cocktail bars, live music and Japanese restaurants off Soi 55 and Soi 63.

19.Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of the world's largest markets, with thousands of stalls selling clothes, homeware, plants and food, next to Mo Chit BTS.

Tip: It's a weekend market: go on Saturday or Sunday morning, before the heat and the crowds.

20.A day trip to Ayutthaya

The ruined temples of the old Siamese capital, about 80 km north, by train or minibus.

Tip: Hire a bicycle or tuk-tuk to get between the temples, which are spread across the island.