Formerly a quiet area with just a few budget guest houses, Khao San Road in the district of Banglamphsu is rapidly becoming an alternative Bangkok attraction and a "must do" on the backpacker and GAP student trail. Cheap guest houses, street cafes, markets, boutiques, bars and lots of young travellers on route to Thailand's tropical beaches provide a colourful enclave in this old part of Bangkok.

If the riverside represents Bangkok's historical roots, the areas around Ploenchit Road, Chitlom, Rajadamri and Lang Suan are the new face of Bangkok. Characterized by high rise buildings, upscale apartments, embassies, expensive shopping malls and luxury hotels, the area has its fair share of chic places to be seen in.

One of Bangkok's most colourful areas, well known for its street markets, bazaar and local vendors. Pratunam and the small Nai Lert markets offer bargain prices for T shirts, jeans, fashion clothing, shoes, calculators, watches, jewelry and all sorts of souvenirs. You'll need to look for the entrances to the inside of the market, hidden between stalls and shops. Cluttered, noisy and hot, but packed with great deals if you have the stamina.

The most important financial and business area of Bangkok. Stretching from the river fanning north-east from Taksin (Sathorn) bridge along Silom, Surawong and and Sathorn Rd, the area contains a mix of older European, Chinese and Indian influences, modern high rise buildings, restaurants, shopping arcades, department stores, and entertainment areas like Patpong.

Chinatown is a colorful and busy area, packed with market stalls and probably the greatest concentration of gold shops in the city. The Chinese community, re-located from Rattanakosin in the early 19th century, still continue their own traditions and religious practices and the area is quite unlike the rest of the city. In addition to the markets, you'll find Chinese temples, Taoist places of learning and traditional Chinese medicine shops selling all sorts of fascinating remedies.

One of Bangkok's best known areas, Sukhumvit Road stretches across the city from east to west, with many roads and streets (Sois) intersecting and connecting to other areas of Bangkok.

Close to the river, just north of Chinatown, is Ko Rattanakosin, the oldest part of Bangkok. Often referred to as an island, it was originally carved out of a bend in the river to strengthen the defensive position of the new Siamese capital in the 18th century and is the home of many the city's traditional and historical attractions.

About a hundred Baht taxi ride outside of the city center, Ramkhamhaeng is known for the university, which is the largest in Thailand. In front of the university you will find a very large sports center, with nearly every kind of activity you can imagine. On the street in front of the university is a very large street market that runs from one side of the school to the other. It's an area of the city where you are surrounded by the Thai student lifestyle.

Near the university area of Ramkhamhaeng, Bangkapi is known for its shopping mall, and the large farmers market style shopping next door. If your up for the adventure, you can take the boat from Siam, right in the middle of the city center, to the back door of the mall. This area is mostly students, and is a good opportunity to get a window looking into the student life.