Right in the midst of a major shopping district is a real piece of Thai-ness - the colourful Erawan Shrine, interestingly dedicated to Brahma rather than Buddha, and complete with incense and Thai dancers. Well worth a detour on the way to the shops. It's open from 6am until 10pm.

Junction of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Roads (diagonally opposite the Central World Plaza mall); Chit Lom Skytrain station

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Looking for some cheap clothes, and can't be bothered to haggle in the markets? Or perhaps you need to stock up on toiletries for your trip, or you need baby supplies - for all of these reasons you might want to join the locals and head for the nearest hypermarket. Tesco have a major presence in Bangkok, but for most tourists the best located hypermarket is the Big C store on Ratchadamri Road, right opposite the Central World Plaza mall. As well as the main store, there is an excellent food court and a multiplex cinema in the building. Open 9am until 11pm daily.

Walk up from Chit Lom Skytrain station;
www.bigc.co.th/en/index.asp

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This rather lovely old building is a former royal palace, and it positively oozes character. If you're planning to see the grand palace, do that first, as you'll then get free entry here (it doesn't work in reverse). Modest dress required and there's a mandatory guided tour, but don't let that put you off. As a bonus there are twice-daily demonstrations of traditional Thai dancing.

Rajavithi Road, Dusit; www.palaces.thai.net/night/index_vm.htm

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Look out for the free city maps as you come through the airport on your way in; they are on a stand in baggage reclaim, right after immigration. The maps are up-to-date, colourful and have the major attractions, hotels and shopping malls clearly marked. I get one every time I go through.

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There's only one reason to come to Wat Traimit, but it's a pretty good one: a 5 tonne, 15ft high solid gold Buddha.

There's also a bit of history to interest you - the Buddha image was encased in plaster to disguise it from the invading Burmese several centuries ago and only rediscovered in 1955.

It's 20 baht to see the Buddha and getting there is easy using the new subway.

In Chinatown on Thanon Trimit, a short walk from Hua Lamphong mainline/subway station

Open from 8am to 5pm daily

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A beautiful example of a traditional Thai teakwood house, brought down from the north of the country and rebuilt in the grounds of the Siam Society.

Unlike Jim Thompson's House, this museum is concerned with everyday life, and has plenty of exhibits to give you a feel of rural Thailand 100 years ago. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm, entry is 100 baht.

Just off the Sukhumvit Road on Soi 21 - a short walk from Asok Skytrain station and right next to the Sukhumvit metro stop.

www.siam-society.org/heritage/kamthieng.asp

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Beat the notorious Bangkok traffic jams by taking the BTS Skytrain - although it has a limited route, it's great for getting around several of Bangkok's hotel and shopping districts. Trains are nicely air-conditioned, run from 6am until midnight and you can get a day pass for 100 baht (about £1.50). There are 3 interchanges with the new subway system - plus the public riverboat service at Saphan Taksin station.

www.bts.co.th/en/index.asp

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