Dusit & Thewet

Bangkok's European-style political powerhouse
Noteworthy for: The enormous teak Vimanmek Mansion and the elegant Dusit Park make the otherwise sterile Dusit worth a visit.

Word to the wise: If you're visiting Thewet, look out for the very hungry and sizable catfish in the water by the boat pier.
Adding a touch of European elegance to an otherwise very eastern metropolis, Dusit is Bangkok's greenest neighbourhood, complete with the wide boulevards and grand buildings usually synonymous with the west. Inspired by a trip to Europe taken by King Rama V, the main feature here is Dusit Park, which contains the Dusit Zoo and Dusit (or Vimanmek) Palace—the world's largest golden teakwood mansion and the king's one-time official residence.

Other sights in the area include the National Assembly, Chitralada Palace (residence of the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej), and most of the city's government offices—but unless you want to visit nondescript official buildings, that's where the attractions end.

In contrast, the quiet neighbourhood of Thewet, just south of Dusit, is a return to Bangkok's trademark style. The area, favoured by backpackers, is located by the river and bursts with flower markets, food stalls, and internet cafes.