Bangkok more bang for your baht

Despite an intermittent volley of civil squabbles blemishing the postcard impressions of Thailand in recent months, the Kingdom of Smiles continues to woo the world, whether it be for a short stopover en route to Europe, or for a more languid affair at one of the nation's acclaimed tropical beach resorts.
But when it comes to a quick city-break, Bangkok continues to deliver a lot of bang for your buck - or baht. This immensely engaging Asian metropolis has never been more accessible for Kiwis, with direct connections now available from New Zealand with Thai Airways and the more recent rival, Emirates.
Bangkok is a sprawling monster of a city with an unrelenting appetite for grand-scale construction, ever-expanding roadways and belching pollution. But don't let this ever-present reality turn you off the Thai capital, because beneath the urban haze is a city of intoxicating character, fusing western commercialism with exotic Thai tradition.
Adjacent to the river is the bustling organised chaos of Chinatown. This maze of winding lanes teems with food stalls, trinket, jewellery and souvenir market traders, and is mostly pedestrianised.
If you're in Bangkok on the weekend, make a beeline to the Chatuchak market, one of Asia's biggest market affairs, touting every imaginable product at ludicrously cheap prices.
Everything from puppies and tea sets, to snakes and silk, is on sale, and a rendezvous with this market will top your holiday highlights.
If top-end retail therapy is on your agenda, Bangkok will dazzle you with eye-popping discounts on hi-fi electronics. Plasma TVs routinely sell at a quarter of the standard price available back home. Even with excess baggage charges, you could save yourself a fortune on home entertainment.
Street life is at the core of Bangkok's essential spirit, and the city could well claim the title for being the biggest al fresco eating experience in the world. The pavements are peppered with a seemingly endless choice of food stalls.
Whether it's coffee and doughnuts for breakfast, or coconut chicken curry for dinner, eating on the street is the way to go. And I'm delighted to report that I suffered no adverse consequences post-consumption.
The City of Angels sports its Thai Buddhist stripes with extravagant passion, with a profusion of lavishly ornate temples. Thai Buddhism's most important figure is the ruling king, who resides in the city, and doesn't take kindly to any demonstration of dissent or disrespect. Religious devotion is not confined to the sparkling white-washed temple walls of the central city. For a striking contrast, visit some of the inner-suburbs where you will find clotheslines strung across winding lanes, resplendent with the freshly laundered bright robes of monks.
TOP TIPS
* One of Bangkok's greatest selling points is its affordability, and one of the most efficient ways to wind your way around is to board the SkyTrain, which is like a monorail that criss-crosses the city. An all-day pass will cost you just NZ $5, and is a trusty refuge from Bangkok's energy-sapping humidity.
* For an unforgettable stay , the Four Seasons is a show-stopper, ideally located in the bustling shopping district. Traditional Thai architecture, hand-painted silk ceilings and glorious artwork in the sumptuous lobby are a triumph in first impressions. Nestled amongst a blanket of tropical gardens, the hotel's spacious rooms and suites have a home-like ambience, fusing contemporary decor with traditional touches, notably the silk furnishings and abundance of teak. www.fourseasons.com/bangkok