8AM: BREAKFAST
Once an old house, Blue Dye Café is a quirky coffee shop that does a sublime flat white and has a top-notch menu of Thai food with a Western twist - try the toast with crumbed egg to kickstart your day.
The ground floor is the "cafeteria", which also sells handcrafted ceramics and coffee accessories, and the second floor houses the bookshop. From time to time you can catch music gigs on the front porch.
10AM: CYCLE THE CITY
Discovering a city by bicycle is always a great way to explore but doing a bike tour in Bangkok is especially interesting.
I won't lie - it's also an adrenaline rush when you're zipping in and out of the traffic swarm.
Hitting the streets on a bike shows you true backstreet life and offers a glimpse into what lies behind the main road and mall madness.
12PM: GET A TAT (OR A MASSAGE)
Many first-time visitors to Bangkok end up coming home with a tattoo. Think before you ink and preferably not under the influence of too many Singha beers. Choose a parlour with an excellent reputation.
There are a few in the city that have been around for years and are known for their pristine shops (hygiene is crucial), artistry and customer satisfaction.If you like your must-do experiences a bit less permanent, then a massage is for you. There are absolutely tons in the city with varying levels of expertise, privacy and cleanliness. One of the best is Health Land, known for its quality facilities and great value - a two-hour treatment will set you back a laughable 500 baht (about R200).7PM: MARKET
If you're a fan of vintage and retro goods, the Jatujak Green Night Market should be at the top of your list. It's down the road from the famously chaotic daytime Chatuchak, the world's largest outdoor market, and is rated as one of the best open-air markets in all of Bangkok.
It has row upon row of seriously cool product by local designers and craftsmen, as well as amazing food stalls, live music and a hip vibe. It's open from 5pm until midnight, though many of the bars keep going much later.
Stop by Coco JJ, the original coconut ice-cream stall, and thank me later.
11PM: LATE-NIGHT JAZZ
Saxophone is celebrated as the best jazz and blues pub in Thailand, offering a great night out to locals and farang (foreigners) since 1987.
Aside from giving a platform to the finest bands and musos, the double-storey venue serves up excellent Thai food and more than 100 different cocktails. It also holds monthly art exhibitions in aid of a children's foundation. Let them "harmonise your soul with their music."..