ANNABEL ZAMMIT hustles, bustles and haggles in the Thai capital - Bangkok

Bangkok is a must-visit if you’re a fan of big cities. The Thai capital is an intense, high-energy metropolis, a sensory overload with bustling markets, bumper-to-bumper traffic and a pulsating 24/7 entertainment scene. The sprawling city is an enticing mix of old and new, with wonderful visual contrasts – soaring skyscrapers and gigantic shopping malls sit alongside floating flower markets, ornate palaces and ancient temples.

WHEN SHOULD I GO?
The temperature in Bangkok rarely falls below 20˚c, but it’s less humid between October and February. If you visit in November, take in the Festival Of Lights, when the city’s waterways are alight with small floats decorated with candles, flowers and incense, while on the King’s birthday on December 5, an elaborate parade processes down Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue.

Click here now for amazing offers to Bangkok!

WHICH STARS MIGHT I SEE?
Angelina Jolie has visited the city a couple of times to get her body inked by renowned tattoo artist Ajarn Noo, while Katie Price and Alex Reid spent two nights in the capital as part of their honeymoon before heading to a beach resort to relax. David Beckham is also a fan of Thailand and the footballer made such an impact on his travels that a gold leaf-covered statue of him has been placed at the altar of Wat Pariwas, a Buddhist temple within Chinatown!

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
If you’re looking for a tranquil oasis in the middle of the urban sprawl, then the Banyan Tree Bangkok (www.banyantree.com), located in the heart of the city’s central business and shopping district of Silom Salthorm, is the perfect spot. This 327-room (mainly suites) hotel is housed in a soaring 61-storey skyscraper and combines contemporary design with Thai furnishings – silk cushions, teakwood furniture, orchids and flickering candles. OK!’s palatial Grand Banyan Suite came complete with a kitchen, dining area, lounge with 42in plasma TV and floor-to-ceiling windows offering mesmerising city panoramas. The bathroom was equally impressive with a bath big enough for two and more amazing views. After a hard day pounding the streets, OK! loved browsing the bath menu and picking one of the heavenly oils. If that doesn’t do the trick, then head to the Banyan Tree Spa on the 21st floor. This opulent sanctuary, with its dark wood and sumptuous Thai fabrics, is a haven for any spa lover. At sunset, guests can also enjoy a dinner cruise on board the hotel’s elegant teak rice barge Apsara along the Chao Phraya River.

WHERE CAN I EAT?
If you’re after high-end dining with jaw-dropping views, the open-air rooftop Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree is the highest bar in Asia and an absolute must. Vertigo offers a 360˚ view of Bangkok’s dazzling skyline and literally takes your breath away. We easily worked our way through a delicious four-course wine-pairing dinner and, while we were eating, we watched a fireworks display that lit up the skyline. If you don’t have a head for heights, the hotel also serves Thai cuisine at Saffron and creative seafood dishes at Pier59. OK! enjoyed another memorable dinner at the trendy Zense (Zen building, Rajadamri Road), feasting on grilled prawns and scallops wrapped in pancetta followed by baked red snapper with pesto sauce.

To hang out with the fashionable crowd, make your way to the Bed Supperclub (26 Sukhumvit), where you can sip cocktails on a bed or dance in the all-white spage age-inspired venue.

WHERE CAN I SHOP?
Bangkok is a shopping mecca. You can buy the real thing in a luxury boutique or a designer rip-off at a night market. If you’re looking for high-end fashions, make a beeline to the Siam Paragon mall (Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan), while you’ll find more one-off pieces –  costume jewellery and bags galore – in the seven-floor Platinum Fashion Mall (Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi). For designer rip-offs, Kho San Road has everything from fake designer trainers and handbags to souvenirs and shoes, as does the night bazaar in the red light area of Patpong – just make sure you barter. OK! came away armed with at least ten pairs of Havaiana-style flip-flops and a watch or two.

Want incredible deals to Bangkok? Click here now...

A trip to the weekend Chatuchak Market is also a must. Hop on the above-ground Skytrain to Mo Chit station, take exit number one and follow the crowd. It has more than 15,000 stalls and you’ll find everything from rip-off clothes to fabulous local handicrafts. If you want an outfit copied, James Fashion on Sukhothai Road is the place to head. But remember to haggle even in a real shop!

WHAT SIGHTS MUST I SEE?
A stay in this vibrant capital wouldn’t be complete without a visit the Grand Palace in the city’s old town district. The best way to get here is to take the ferry from the public pier right next to the Oriental Hotel and alight at Tha Tien pier. The sprawling walled complex, built in 1782, houses many temples and palaces as well as the Emerald Buddha, golden stupas and monkey gods. Wat Pho, the oldest and biggest temple in Bangkok, contains the country’s largest reclining Buddha, while Wat Arun on the west bank of the river is a 260ft Khmer-style pagoda and is covered in bright ceramic tiles, making it a wonderful place to visit at sunset.

Bangkok is home to a mass of canals. Hire a traditional long-tail boat and take in the frenetic activity of the Damnoen Saduak’s floating market, or just hop on the Chao Phraya Express river taxi, which operates like a bus and costs pennies!

HOW CAN I GET THERE?
Destinology (www.destinology.co.uk; 0800 634 2866) offers a two-night stay at the Banyan Tree Bangkok, including return economy class Etihad flights from London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi, two nights accommodation in a one-bedroom suite on a B&B basis and private car transfers, from £899 per person. Price valid for stays until December 10 2010. Destinology can also tailor-make holiday packages in Thailand combining a hotel stay in Bangkok with a beach resort and return flights.