Where to stay
The Lebua at State Tower (lebua.com) is a five-star all-suite hotel that dominates the skyline of the busy Bangrak district of the city, close to the Chao Phraya River. All suites include a spa treatment room and offer views that will keep you on your balcony at all hours of the day and night. There are plenty of dining venues, including the impressive rooftop Sirocco restaurant and funky fluro-lit Skybar, both on the 63rd floor. Prices start at Dh1,430 per night.
What to do
There is so much to do in Bangkok, it can be overwhelming. Don't leave Bangkok without taking a tour of The Grand Palace, which is like a maze of ornate temples, Buddha statues, old paintings and gold. Another ‘must do' is taking a boat taxi down the Chao Phraya river, which costs less than a few dirhams and drops you off at weird and wonderful places around the city.
Where to shop
Bangkok has its fair share of shopping malls, like the Siam Centre and Terminal 21, but if you're going to shop, head to the colourful, lively markets. Check out Chatuchak weekend market for amazing deals, Patpong night market for an eye-opening experience of exactly what you'd expect to find in Bangkok, and (my personal favourite) the amulet market, where Buddhists sift through tables of old coins and pendants looking for good luck charms. This is a great place for present shopping as you can pick up delightfully curious items for a few dirhams a pop.
What to see
For an insight into Thai life, head down to the riverside ports and bag yourself a longboat tour down the khlongs (canals). It shouldn't cost more than a 2,000 baht (approximately Dh240) and can be booked through the riverside tourist offices. As you move away from the heart of the city, you'll see shanty houses on stilts, lush greenery, boats selling food to families living alongside the khlongs, children swimming, mothers washing clothes and a whole lot more.
Where to eat
Seafood restaurant The Royal Dragon (www.royal-dragon.com, approx Dh30 per person) is one of the biggest restaurants in the world, with more than 1,000 staff and live shows every night. For something a bit more elegant, try the posh Blue Elephant (blueelephant.com, about Dh150 per head). For something a bit less pricey, head to Chinatown for some seriously good grub from market vendors.
Where to spa
Bangkok is dotted with small, authentic-style spas catering to every budget. However, for a real treat, head to Leyana Spa (leyanaspa.com) on Thong Lor Road, which is an oasis of greenery, minimalism and calm against the crazy, neon backdrop of the city. Treatments rely heavily on plant extracts and flowers and offer full body pampering in the style that made Thai massage famous. Treat yourself to one of its half-day spa packages, which range in price from 3,600 baht (Dh430), to 7,000 baht (Dh830), but on its website you can get a discount voucher for 50 per cent off treatments.
