A granite spire bears the names of 73 people killed by the military during the 1973 overthrow of the dictatorship, though an accurate toll still awaits...

Dressy young Thai gays now rule this packed retro bar - and many of the other pubs on a long-standing park-side strip that faces redevelopment.

Besides local talent, 808's glowing industrial interior imports world famous DJs, from Grandmaster Flash to Goldie to Steve Aoki. Often home to hipster club...

Cosy regulars' pub where newcomers can jam the blues nightly (except Mondays acoustic and jazz sets). A liv-ely local rather than destination venue.

The first store to offer Thai silk 'à la carte', tailor-woven to request. It's top quality, and they haven't imposed a minimum spend, so order that silk...

Spilling out of a riverside lane, stalls sell an array of amulets, medals and Buddhist imagery. Bargaining is a must, and there are old-school food stalls...

This traditional slate-walled tavern a few blocks south of Thaniya's Little Tokyo is the area's best Japanese restaurant. Prices are slightly higher, but...

Master tailors hunch over benches to churn out high-quality suits at this decades-old institution - a favourite with powerful politicians and corporate fat...

This one-time beau-monde haunt has hosted Jim Thompson and Scandinavian royalty, and a cult following of creatives and Asia obsessives. Moralistic literary...

Down a narrow soi, the pick of Yannawa's waterfront seafood restaurants serves every seafish, shell and crustacean combo in the Thai repertoire. Set simply...

Creating bold, sexy and diverse styles for the impossibly slim (male and female), Soda embellishes core items such as jeans and Ts with innovative...

This revived talad nam (floating market) is quick to reach, yet very local. Thais prize the local speciality sausages, elephant ear curry and potted...

This protected wooded peninsula formed by an oxbow in the river lies in Samut Prakarn province. It feels like the countryside yet lies just 15 mins by road...

Spiral up the Guggenheim-esque atrium of the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre where the top three of the building's 11 storeys are exhibition halls. Beyond...