Hit the ground Running: 24 Hours in Bangkok

As you stroll through the vibrant downtown streets, you can practically feel the city's heartbeat. Bangkok is known as the "city that never sleeps" and some also consider it the epicentre of hedonism. The city is also well known for its extremes and contrasts; Bangkok is loud, busy, and hot, but its intensity and adrenaline seep into your veins, so it's no surprise that many are drawn back often. Many travellers pass via this major entry point into Thailand on their way to the country's more remote and exotic areas while for others, it serves as a layover between the South Pacific and Europe as a port of call for travellers going to nearby nations.

Making a decision regarding what to do in such a short amount of time might be difficult for people who find themselves with a stopover in Bangkok. For those who find themselves in Bangkok for just 24 hours, I've put together a simple schedule that takes in the best of the city.​

Most people will arrive into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and getting from there into the city is super easy with The Airport Rail Link which connects to the BTS / Skytrain. It runs every 15 minutes between 6am to midnight and can get to Makkasan Station (right in the middle of Bangkok) in 30 minutes. If you are arriving outside of that time or don't want to have to struggle with things then you could catch a Taxi from the ground floor of the airport or call a ride share through Grab which is the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber. Fun fact, Uber did actually operate in the area but was purchased by Grab and then taken over, forcing Uber out of Southeast Asia. As rush hour can force vehicles to move at a snails pace, if you can make sure that you book a Grab via the app. If you do go for a cab then make sure the driver turns on the meter before you get in and then double check that you do not leave anything behind in the vehicle as you won't get it back.

Bangkok has some of the best shopping in the world! From unique handmade items to deals on designer brands, there is something for everyone. As Siam is Bangkok's ultimate shopping spot with designer brands mixing in between Mega malls, head here. I suggest heading to Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, or Central World as they feature the best mix of boutique and high end brands. Unless you need something cheap, skip MBK as it is just cheap junk. If you just want fashion options then head to Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam which is a wholesale shopping mall that just sells clothing and you can haggle for a better price!

Head to the Grand Palace, Wat Prakeaw for the 14th century Emerald Buddha, or Wat Po for the reclining buddha. If you do not have a lot of time then head to the Grand Palace as it was the cultural heart of Bangkok for 150 years, offering a unique glimpse into the past.

Make sure that you are dressed in smart casual with long pants and closed toe shoes if you are male, and a nice dress or skirt with heels or dressy flats for females. The reason for this is because if you do not know where you are going to end up, you want to dress for any possibility. Lebua State Tower's Sky Bar was featured in the Hangover Part 2 but requires a smart casual dress. Slim & Flix Club is a popular spot among Bangkok's trendy and hip party goers as it features live music with an impressive drink list. You could go to a massage, nightclub, cabaret, or just eat until you explode. If you are more interested in shopping than anything then head to Patpong Night Market for cheap souvenirs and designer knock offs.

Bangkok is home to two airports so if you are departing via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) then you can take the BTS to the Airport Line, a taxi, or a cab. Don Mueang International Airport (DMG) is closer to Bangkok but it is more difficult to get to as it is not connected via the Skytrain. The easiest way to it is to drive and takes 32 minutes in good traffic. Taxi or Grab is recommended as the drive is pretty straight forward: From central Bangkok, head north on Phahonyothin Road, and merge onto the Don Muang Toll Way, continuing north to the airport.