Thailand.

46-metre-long gold reclining Buddha. 200 THB entry, includes the traditional massage school next door — the best A$15 30-minute massage in the city, taught by the same masters who teach the rest of the world.

Tip: Combine with Wat Arun (across the river, 30 THB ferry) and the Grand Palace next door. Dress code is strict — long pants/skirts, covered shoulders. Sarong rentals at the gate for 200 THB if you turn up in shorts.

Michelin-starred street food. One woman in ski goggles cooking crab omelettes over charcoal since the 70s. Queues are 2-3 hours. Crab omelette and tom yum noodles are the orders. ~A$50 a head — expensive for street food, worth it once.

Tip: Reservations don't really exist. Arrive at 1pm sharp when she opens, get a numbered ticket, come back at your slot. Bring cash.

Roast duck institution open since 1909. Charoen Krung Road in Bangrak. Cantonese-Thai roast duck over rice, A$5 a plate. Locals queue at lunch. The only proper way to eat duck in Bangkok.

Tip: Open 8:30am–8:30pm. Order the half-duck (A$15) if you're sharing — better skin coverage than the over-rice version.

15,000 stalls over 35 acres. Open Sat-Sun only, plus a smaller Friday night version. Clothes, plants, art, food, animals (some legal, some grey-zone — avoid the wildlife stalls). Get lost on purpose for 4 hours.

Tip: Start at MRT Kampang Phet station (exit 2) — drops you in the middle. Bring water, wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty. Cash only at most stalls.

Bangkok invented the rooftop bar. Vertigo at Banyan Tree (61st floor), Sky Bar at lebua (the Hangover II one), and Octave at Marriott Sukhumvit are the classics. A$15-A$25 cocktails, dress code semi-formal.

Tip: Octave (Sukhumvit Soi 57) is the cheapest of the three and has the best 270° city view. Arrive at sunset (around 6pm) for the best photos.

The two real stadiums. Rajadamnern (Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Sundays) is the original and most atmospheric — built 1945. Lumpinee (Tuesdays/Fridays/Saturdays) is the newer flagship north of the city. ~A$60–A$100 for ringside.

Tip: Skip the tourist Muay Thai shows on Khao San — pay for ringside at a real stadium. Title fights are usually the third match of the evening, not the headline slot.