Your essential guide to Bangkok

CRUISE

The serpentine Chao Phraya River comes into its own at dusk, when the bustle of the city settles to a low murmur. Step down to Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s private pier for a sundowner cruise. Each bend of the river reveals fascinating markets, palaces and wats – among them the grand, gold-lit spires of Wat Arun.

SHOP

If you’d rather indulge in earthly delights, it’s a hop and a skip across the river to IconSiam, the neighbourhood’s glitzy temple to fashion. You’ll find the likes of Vuitton, Hermès and Cartier here, but it’s worth straying from the designer path. On the ground-floor, SookSiam – an indoor floating market touting handicrafts and street snacks in air-conditioned bliss – is an experience in itself.

BROWSE

Part art gallery and part event space, ATT 19 has transformed a former Chinese school into an impressive arena showcasing handpicked pieces from across the region. It’s an atmospheric place for a leisurely snoop, whether you’re after vintage frocks, exquisite Japanese ceramics or Ming Dynasty furniture to spruce up your pad.

EAT

A dinner at Baan Phraya – Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s gastronomic Thai restaurant – feels a little like stepping back in time. The setting – a 19th-century riverside house – is as genteel as they come. Expect punchy flavours from chef Pom Phatchara’s tasting menu: smoked roe, charred aubergine and salted egg yolk, say, tempered by a trolley of heavenly Thai desserts.

VISIT

With so many beguiling temples just around the river bend, choosing only one to explore can be tricky. Serene Wat Pho is a firm favourite for its impressively gilded giant reclining Buddha. It’s also the birthplace of Thai massage, should you be in the market for physical as well as celestial salvation.

DRINK

You would be remiss to leave Bangkok without at least one evening spent. From its modest start in 1953, The Bamboo Bar has evolved into a celebrated Bangkok institution, drawing jazz enthusiasts from around the world. This iconic spot, Bangkok's first jazz venue, retains its sensual 1950s ambience. Order something tropical, embrace the spot’s hedonistic spirit and sashay the night away.

SEE

Be inspired by mid-century Thai elegance with a tour of silk merchant Jim Thompson’s house, a glorious living compound assembled from six antique teak houses. A guided visit is a chance to peruse the American architect’s eclectic collection of southeast Asian art. Next door, the concrete-and-glass Jim Thompson Art Centre exhibits intriguing contemporary artists.

SNACK

For a true taste of Thailand, head to the capital’s streets. Or, rather, its canals. There’s nothing quite as tantalising as the sights, sounds and smells of a floating market. A couple of hours’ drive away, Damnoen Saduak gets all the press but, for something closer to home, try Khlong Lat Mayom, a homespun, under-the-radar floating market trading on Saturdays and Sundays.

WANDER

There’s no better way to explore a city than on foot. Get lost down atmospheric alleyways in sleepy Kudi Chin, Bangkok’s ancient Portuguese quarter. Look out for the tiny Baan Kudichin Museum, with its rooftop views and café serving Thai-Portuguese snacks. Then cross the river to Pak Khlong Talat flower market for a bustling, colourful slice of local life.

DINE

Tiny, jam-packed Jay Fai may not quite be what comes to mind when you think of Michelin-starred restaurants, but this stalwart of Bangkok’s dining scene has certainly earned its accolade. Equipped with her signature goggles, the eponymous chef singlehandedly whips up feasts from her kerbside wok. Is her golden crab omelette worth the three-hour queue? You be the judge.

TOUR

The gilded, sprawling Grand Palace merits more than a passing glance. Once the seat of absolute power, this showstopper still functions as an official residence, though visitors can visit its most awe-inspiring sights. Don’t miss the Emerald Buddha, a delicate jade statue considered the most sacred in the land.

ESCAPE

Experience the tranquil beauty of Bang Krajao, known as Bangkok's 'Green Lung,' an oasis of lush landscapes and winding bike trails. This artificial island in the Chao Phraya River basin provides a serene retreat for urbanites to reconnect with nature in the bustling heart of Bangkok.

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is one of the remaining vestiges of Bangkok’s colonial history, originally opening in 1876 as Thailand’s first luxury hotel. One of the best ways to explore its storied site and the city’s thrumming atmosphere is with a walking tour guided by the hotel’s VoiceMap app. Stop at the iconic Assumption Cathedral next door, savour salty soup noodles at eminent street stall Ped Tun Chao Ta, before washing them down with cocktails at Baan Rim Naam bar alongside serene golden-hour views of the Chao Phraya River.

- The concierge team at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.