Love it or loathe it, Bangkok is a huge, crowded, polluted city with some rather terrible traffic congestion problems. But on the positive side it's exciting, edgy and cosmopolitan, with wonderful tourist attractions, spectacular shopping plazas, a great gay scene and fabulous food. Obviously in a metropolis like Bangkok there are loads more places to try and we have only skimmed the surface here. New places are opening all the time and you’re never far from great food, a relaxing massage and every style of shopping. One thing remains a constant, the wonderful welcome and superb hospitality you will experience in this sometimes frantic but always friendly city of smiles.

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‘Sawadee Ka’, welcome to Blue Elephant Restaurant Phuket. From the moment we arrived at this grand, one hundred and five year old, former Governor’s mansion we were extremely impressed. The exquisite Sino-Portuguese building is beautifully lit and set in spacious grounds. The fashionable Blue Bar is the entry point to the restaurant. This elegant space with a classic black and white tiled floor is lit in shades of blue with two elephant statues gracing either end of the bar. If you arrive early for dinner this is a the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail.

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The gay section of Patong Beach is directly in front of hotel La Flora Resort Patong or near the orange beach watch tower with the rainbow flag beside it. This is the place to be during the day with lots of gay men in their recently purchased swimwear filling the beach in high season. The sun lounges have unfortunately gone but beach umbrellas can be hired for 100BHT or you can buy your own for about 250BHT from the local market stalls.

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Banzaan Market is one of our first stops when we arrive at Patong Beach on the island of Phuket in Thailand. The food stalls are brimming with fresh vegetables, exotic tropical fruits and the best assortment of fish and shell fish you will see anywhere in the world. This covered market is set on two levels, is clean and modern and has an escalator running to the second floor. All the better for getting your selection of succulent seafood hastily up to the cooking area to be prepared to exactly your taste.

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Our eagerly anticipated ride on the elephants took us through remote jungle tracks to an isolated mountain village and then back along the shallow banks of the beautiful Ping River. The one and a half hour ride was exhilarating and the highlight of the day. The second part of the tour was river rafting on a bamboo raft for an hour on the tranquil river trail punctuated by some small rapids to add a touch of excitement. Along the river there were locals fishing and picnicking and semi-submerged w

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