Unlike Prague, Berlin and Paris, the capital city of Thailand has yet to make it into the top ranks of city breaks.

However, as airlines cut long-haul fares, more travellers are likely to find themselves stopping off there, either as a curtain-raiser to the rest of this intriguing country, or breaking their journey to some far-flung shore.

Having planned a trip to Sydney, I decided to book a four-night stop-over in Bangkok to see if there is more to this city than access to its country’s beaches.

Fresh off our direct Thai Airways flight, we sped towards the city, with concrete skyscrapers emerged from the polluted air.

The sight of a south-east Asian city in full urban-sprawl mode really does take your breath away.

Our hotel, the newly-opened President Place Hotel, offered respite from the city’s hubbub in the business area of Sukhumvit.

Within easy reach of the main markets and historic centre of Bangkok, it provides luxuriously big rooms, free wi-fi and a swimming pool – all from 4,000 baht (£76) per night.

Before hitting the sights, including Bangkok’s extraordinary Royal Palace, we needed to pay our respects to one of Bangkok’s great cultural landmarks – Chatuchak market.

Open every weekend, this open-air market is well-known among travellers for incredible bargains and a once-in-a-lifetime shopping experience.

As the second-most expensive city in south-east Asia, behind Singapore, it can be easy to feel a little small in Bangkok.

Edifices built with the profits of high finance soar up around you, filled with luxurious restaurants and extraordinary views.

These are open to everyone (providing you’re not in flip flops) and are the most perfect setting for a cocktail that man has ever invented.

In Bangkok, after a day negotiating the heat and shopping until you drop, there’s only one way to unwind – with a massage.

Whether you choose a road-side foot massage, a curtained sanctuary in a beauty salon, or a top hotel, you’ll never be short of options, and the standard will remain wonderfully high.

Of all the five-star hotels which overlook the river Chao Phraya Rivernone at the heart of the city, none sum up the feelings of old-school elegance quite like the 130-year-old Mandarin Oriental hotel.

After two full body massages, followed by a herbal steam and scrub, we left the grandeur of the hotel’s spa and hopped on to the hotel’s private boat, which took us back across the river for dinner, dressed in our newly purchased dresses.

There are definitely worse ways to spend an evening.

* Sarah O’Meara flew with Thai Airways, which currently offers Bangkok return fares ex-Heathrow. Connecting BMI flights ex-Manchester from £120.

* Thai Airways reservations: 0844 5610911 and thaiairways.co.uk.

* Royal Orchid Holidays: thaiairways.co.uk/holidays.

* President Park Hotel reservations: presidentpalacehotel.com.

* Destination information: tourismthailand.org.