Home to some of Asia's leading hospitals, medical facilities and spas, Bangkok is a cultural phenomenon renowned for its spectacular blend of the traditional and modern with something to offer for everyone. The city is a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells; distinctive temple spires and gleaming skyscrapers; fragrant floating markets and pulsating shopping malls; road-side food stalls and 5-star international cuisine; you really will have no trouble finding things to do in this city! Whether you decide to take a memorable river cruise, sit ringside at a Muay Thai boxing fight, visit the royal palace or venture out for the famous nightlife, the City of Angels will leave an everlasting impression on you.

Bangkok is as intoxicating as it is diverse; a melting pot of exotic aromas, interesting sights and visual delights. It's a city with infinite layers which you need to explore to reveal its hidden secrets. If you're planning a trip to the City of Angels - or Krung Thep as it's called in Thai - make sure to allow enough time to see some of the treasures that has given this city iconic status.

Food & Drink
There are many Asian and European restaurants. Thai food is hot and spicy, but most tourist restaurants tone down the food for Western palates. Pri-kee-noo, a tiny red or green pepper, is one of the hot ingredients that might best be avoided. These are generally served on a side plate in a vinaigrette with the main course. Popular fruits are papaya, jackfruit, mangosteens, rambutans, pomelos (similar to grapefruits) and, above all, durians, which farangs (foreigners) either love or hate.

Nightlife
Bangkok offers a wide range of entertainment venues, from nightclubs, pubs, bars, cinemas and restaurants (many of which are open air), to massage parlours, pool halls and cocktail lounges. Performances of traditional religious and court dances can be seen at the Thai Cultural Centre. Elsewhere on the mainland, nightlife takes the form of traditional dances. The islands are renowned for their nightlife, and attendance is almost exclusively by foreigners. The full moon parties are notorious and continue well into the following morning.

Shopping
Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, batiks, silver, pottery with celadon green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones, dolls, masks, lacquerware, pewterware, bamboo artifacts and bronzeware. The weekend market at Chatuchuk Park in Bangkok is a regular cornucopia with items ranging from genuine antiques to fighting fish. Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of days.