Thailand

BANGKOK

The headlong pace and flawed modernity of BANGKOK (called "Krung Thep" in Thai) match few people's visions of the capital of exotic Siam. Spiked with scores of highrise buildings of concrete and glass, it's a vast flatness which holds a population of at least nine million, and feels even bigger. But under the shadow of the skyscrapers you'll find a heady mix of frenetic markets and hushed golden temples, of glossy cutting-edge clubs and early-morning almsgiving ceremonies. Most budget travellers head for the Banglamphu district, which is just a short walk from the dazzling Grand Palace and Wat Po and the very worthwhile National Museum. For livelier scenes, explore the dark alleys of Chinatown's bazaars or head for the water: the great Chao Phraya River is the backbone of a network of canals and a useful way of crossing the city.

CHIANG MAI

Despite recent and rapid economic progress, CHIANG MAI – Thailand's second city – manages to preserve a little of the atmosphere of an overgrown village. The old quarter, set within a two-kilometre-square moat, has retained many of its traditional wooden houses, and inviting guesthouses, good markets, cookery, massage and meditation courses and plenty of sights make it a hugely appealing place to many travellers. Plus, of course, Chiang Mai is the main centre for hilltribe trekking.

Wat Benchana -bo-bitr

Benchana-bo-bitr, popularly called the Marble Temple, is one of the loveliest wats in Bangkok. It was erected in about 1988 by king Rama V(Chulalongkorn), the snow-white marble being shipped to Thailand from Tuscany in Italy. Thais also refer to the wat as "The wat of the Fifth king", Rama V crowend soon after his 20th birthday having spent part of 1873 as a"bikkhu" (monk) in the old monastery south of the temple.