There are some memorable excursions from the city, offering a chance to escape the urban bustle and witness rural central Thailand in all its historic splendour and peacefulness.

Ayuthaya lies just an hour north of the city and was the former capital of C 18th Siam at its zenith. Today this vast scattering of ruins is a World Heritage Site, located on an artificial island of the Chao Praya river. For anyone with an appreciation for history this popular trip is a must, and best done by overnight converted rice barge.

Also popular on tour itineraries is the bustling Floating Market, southwest of the city. You’ll need to make an early start in order to see the market at its liveliest, and a trip among all the canals of Damnoen Saduak is charming, if a little touristy.

Witnessing life in the area seemingly unchanged by the modern metropolis is still possible at Koh Kret, a small island in the river just north of Bangkok central. Inhabited by the original Mon settlers from centuries ago, this sleepy little community offers a delightful glimpse into rural Thailand on the outskirts of its capital.

Too see the highlights of the country all in one day, a trip to the wonderfully authentic Ancient City is a memorable and educating experience. This outdoor historic theme park near the mouth of the river, to the south, is a tour-de-force of Thailand’s most famous sites, replicated accurately, and sometimes rebuilt where the original has long since been lost.