Bangkok lifestyle

Bangkok is a total shopper's paradise. Most of the malls are based in the Siam Square area, such as the impressive Siam Paragon, with its glitzy shops and designer labels as far as the eye can see, or the MBK centre, where you can purchase any kind of electical good you need. Other great places to fill your suitcases are the markets around the city, open during the day or the night. Make sure you haggle and you can pick up an excellent bargain or two!

Thai cuisine is famed throughout the world and largely based on simple and fresh ingredients, each with their own distinct taste, from lemongrass and coriander to fish sauce and ginger. Dishes are generally shared by all diners and eaten with rice. Famous dishes include ‘tom yum’ - a coconut milk-based soup with prawns, ginger and lemongrass, ‘phad Thai’ - noodles with chicken topped with peanuts, green and red Thai curries, or for dessert, sticky rice and mangoes. To drink, sample a bottle of Singha, the local beer, coconut milk, or the delicious fresh tropical fruit juices on offer.

There's no excuse for a quiet night in while in Bangkok, as there is so much on offer. Head for the Sukhumvit area to choose from wonderful restaurants, late night markets, and a wide range of live music and shows, from jazz to cover bands to entertaining cabaret shows, not to mention buzzing clubs. Khao San Road, a haven for international travellers, also offers relaxed and fun pubs and bars.