8:30am: Greet the sun

Take in the view at Wat Phra Kaew – Temple of the Emerald Buddha (pictured), before grabbing a tuk tuk to Rocket Coffeebar (Sathorn, Soi 12). Biodynamic hill-tribe eggs, a green smoothie and house-blended coffee will set you up for a full day of Bangkok heat.

10:30am: Essential oils

Pre-empt tired feet with a morning massage at Ruen Nuad (42 Convent Rd, Silom). Look for the green sign on Convent Rd, then head down the laneway to the restored wooden house for a relaxing massage, finished with a pot of tea at the in-house juice bar.

11:30am: Eat like a local

Wander along Soi Convent and watch as street food is made in searing hot woks. Stop where it smells best and choose from pad Thai, som tum (papaya salad), khao man gai (chicken and rice) and more.

12:30pm: Market style

If you can squeeze more food in, Sam Yan Market (Panthumwan district – jump off the MRT at Sam Yan Station) is full of street food vendors. But with
a satisfied hunger, you may be more interested in finding a locally made mortar and pestle, wire noodle scoop, or teak chopping board among the stalls.

3:30pm: Designer drinks

Aussie Ashley Sutton has designed many of Bangkok’s coolest places to drink, but A.R. Sutton & Co Engineers Siam (Parklane, Ekamai) is his own steampunk-inspired baby, and that copper still is not just for show, with Sutton distilling artisan gin on-site.

7pm: International flavour

Eat Me (Soi Pipat 2, Silom – 20 metres off Convent Rd) may seem a cheeky name for a restaurant with an international menu of this standard (no. 25 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016), but this is Bangkok after all! Sip on a laab mootini – a smoked bacon infused vodka cocktail – in the bar downstairs before heading to your table for a black chicken and papaya salad or a tomahawk steak.

9:30pm: The street with no name

Before you call it a night, cab it to Thonglor to the tiny soi with no name between Soi 5 and Soi 7 and enter the non-descript door of J. Boroski Mixology with a green light hanging above. Named after mixologist/owner Joseph Boroski, let the attentive bartenders create a cocktail to your spec.

12am: Shanghai baby

Your bed for the night is at the beautiful 1920s Shanghai chic Cabochon Hotel (14/29 Sukhumvit 45 Rd, Klongton Nua, Wattana). A truly boutique experience with just 4 suites and 4 studios, all elegantly appointed with vintage-style beds and the most incredible copper baths.