Begin with Bangkok's sprawling cocktail of traffic, roadside stalls and chic bars, shaken to 100°F. Decant to an elegant monastery in the forested North with quietly-spoken monks and century-old murals depicting another age. Carefully arrange on a shaded hammock over a spueaky beach and azure sea. Consume.

- How to tackle Bangkok and come out on the winning side
- Customise your holiday, from high octane to horizontal
- Everything you need to know and more about Thai history and culture