Chaotic, carnal and congested, Thailand's capital is divided by the Chao Phraya River and is nestled in one of the world's most fertile rice-producing deltas. Bangkok's 579 square miles (1,500 sq km) are criss-crossed by a series of canals carrying passengers and cargo, its roads clotted with endless traffic jams, while the city sprawls in all directions with a hodgepodge of urban, commercial and industrial buildings. A new overland metropolitan railway speeds above the city, providing visitors with a relaxed and efficient way to observe the hustle and bustle below.

Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia's most exciting cities, and one of the world's largest, promising to reveal to each traveller the wild and untamed mysteries of the east. Khao San Road is one of the city's most vibrant streets, and is probably one of the best examples in the world of a backpacker's 'ghetto'. Day and night the short stretch of road is abuzz with activity. On the banks of the Chao Phraya visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat Phra Kaew, the palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha, constructed entirely from translucent green jade. Slightly upriver are the exquisitely ornamented Royal Barges, still used today for special floating processions.

Of the 30 or so temples in Bangkok, the largest is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which houses an impressive statue of the deity. The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well worth a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west and the sweat cools, this city of royalty and religion comes alive with a palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a miasma of trendy bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious 'girlie joints' that have ensured the Patpong district its reputation for hedonism.

Though the city's frenetic pace and infamous congestion can be overwhelming, a holiday in Bangkok is a must for anyone travelling in Thailand.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Address: Bangkok

Admission: Free Daily 7:30am-12:30pm

Royal Grand Palace

Address: Na Phralan Road, Phra Nakhon Bangkok

Admission: THB 300 (adults); children free. Daily 8:30am-4:30pm.

Telephone: (0)2 623 5500

Royal Barges National Museum

Address: Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi Bangkok

Admission: THB 30 Daily 9am-5pm.

Telephone: (0)2 424 0004

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

Address: 2 Sanamchai Road Bangkok

Admission: THB 20 Daily 8am-5pm, massages until 6pm.

Telephone: (0)2 222 5910 or (0)2 226 2942

Jim Thompson's House

Address: 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road Bangkok

Admission: THB 100 adults, THB 50 children (proceeds to Bangkok's School for the Blind). Daily 9am-5pm.

Telephone: 662 216 7368

Kanchanaburi

Address: Bangkok

Admission: JEATH War Museum: THB 30 JEATH War Museum: daily 8:30am-6pm.

Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)

Address: Traimit Rd Bangkok

Admission: THB 20 donation. Open daily 9am-5pm.

Bangkok National Museum

Address: Na Phra That Rd Bangkok

Admission: THB 50 Open Wednesday to Sunday 9am-4pm. Free English-language tours: Buddhism culture on Wednesday 9:30am; Art, culture, religion on Thursday 9:30am.

Telephone: (0)2 224 1333

Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing

Address: Sao Chingcha Square Bangkok

Admission: THB 20 Open daily 9am-9pm.

Telephone: (0)2 222 0280

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)

Address: Si Ayutthaya Rd Bangkok

Admission: THB 20 Open daily 8am-5pm.

Telephone: (0)2 281 2501

Vimanmek Mansion Museum

Address: 192 Ratchavitee Rd, Dusit Palace grounds Bangkok

Admission: THB 100 Open daily 8:30am-4:30pm. Classical Thai dance, folk dance, and martial art demonstrations given daily at 10:30am and 2pm.

Telephone: (0)2 281 8166

Chatuchak Market

Address: Bangkok

Admission: Weekends 8am-6pm.

Muay Thai

Address: Rajadamnern Stadium, 1 Rajadamnern Nok Rd Bangkok

Tiger Temple

Address: Saiyok District, Kanchanaburi Bangkok

Admission: Between THB 600 and THB 5,000, depending on the programme. Daily, 9am-4:30pm.

Lopburi Monkey Temple

Address: Lopburi, 93 miles (150km) north-east of Bangkok. Bangkok

Ayutthaya

Address: At the junction of the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers Bangkok

Bangkok Children's Discovery Museum

Address: Chatuchak Park Bangkok

Admission: THB 70 (adults); THB 50 (children). Open Tuesday to Friday 9am–5pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am–6pm. Closed Mondays.

Telephone: 0(2) 615 7333

Dusit Zoo

Address: Rama V Road, Dusit Bangkok

Admission: THB 100 (adults); THB 50 (children). Open daily 8am–6pm.

Telephone: 02 282 7111-3

Siam Ocean World

Address: Basement floor, Siam Paragon Shopping Centre Bangkok

Admission: THB 900 (adults); THB 700 (children) Open daily 10am–9pm, last entry 8pm.

Telephone: +66 (0)2687 2000

Snake Farm (Thai Red Cross Farm)

Address: Corner of Henry Dunant and Rama IV Roads Bangkok

Admission: THB 70 Open Monday to Friday 8:30am–4:30pm; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 8:30–12pm. Show times: Monday to Friday 11am and 2:30pm. Weekends and holidays 11am.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

Address: Rotfai Gardens, BTS Mochit Bangkok

Admission: Free. Bicycles can be hired for THB 30 per day. Open daily 8:30am–4:30pm. Closed Mondays.

Telephone: 02 272 4359

Songkran Festival

Where: Citywide in the streets, temples and wats,Bangkok

When: 13 - 15 April 2012

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Where: Phramane Ground, near the Grand Palace,Bangkok

When: 13 May 2012

Thailand International Swan Boat Races

Where: The Bangsai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre on the Chao Phraya River,Bangkok

When: September 2012 TBA

Bangkok Marathon

Where: ,Bangkok

When: 12 February 2012

Silom Soi 4 Halloween

Where: Silom Soi 4,Bangkok

When: 31 October 2012

Chinese New Year

Where: Chinatown,Bangkok

When: 23 January 2012

Phranakorn Bar and Gallery

Address: 58/2 Soi Damnoenklang Tai Bangkok

Food Type: Thai

Le Banyan

Address: 59 Sukhumvit Soi 8 Bangkok

Food Type: French

May Kaidee

Address: 33 Samsen Road, Soi 2, Bang-lam-phu Bangkok

Food Type: Vegetarian

The Mango Tree

Address: 37 Soi Tantawan, Surawongse Road Bangkok

Food Type: Thai

Somboon Seafood

Address: 169/7-11 Surawongse Rd Bangkok

Food Type: Seafood

The Rain Tree Café

Address: 61 Thanon Witthayu Wireless Road, Lumphini, Pathumwan Bangkok

Food Type: International

The Wave

Address: 199/1 Rat Burana Bangkok

Food Type: Thai

Dosa King

Address: 153/7, Sukhumvit Rd, Soi -11/1 Bangkok

Food Type: Indian

Ricky's

Address: 18 Th Phra Athit Bangkok

Lemongrass

Address: 5/1 Sukhumvit Soi 24 Bangkok

Food Type: Local