The Thai capital has a lot to offer but can be rather daunting at first, what with its chaotic traffic and hectic pace. Visitors who remain calm and curious will experience the exoticism of the East without too much discomfort, though.

Tack this short itinerary onto the beginning -- or the end -- of any trip to Thailand. You can also split it up: Spend time touring the city sites at the start of the journey and then use a day at the end to fill your suitcase with gorgeous handicrafts, silk fashions, or souvenirs.

Day 1: Bangkok's Riverside Sites

Start your tour of Bangkok by Central Pier (confusingly, also known as Sathorn Pier), where you can hop on a fast river taxi or the more comfortable wide-berth Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. Alternatively, take a long-tail boat tour of Thonburi's klongs (canals), which makes for a fascinating 1- to 3-hour trip. You can arrange these trips at the booths at Central Pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS, at River City, or through your hotel (riverside hotels like Ibrik and Arun Residence are good places to base yourself, because they offer shuttle boats).

Heading north by taxi or boat along the S-curve of the river, you will pass most of the city's historical sites. Good stops along the way are Sri Phya, which is next to River City, for pricey souvenir shopping; and Chinatown (known as Yaowarat), to amble along its bustling alleyways. You should also get off at Tha Tien for Wat Po and the Giant Reclining Buddha. From there, it's a short walk to the Grand Palace and the famed Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the celebrated Emerald Buddha.

From Tha Tien, take the ferry across the river to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Then you can carry on upstream to visit the National Museum. After visiting the museum, you can stop at Banglampoo for Khao San Road, the vibrant backpacker strip.

This is a lot to see in a day -- you may even want to take 2 days to see it all. But if you've got surplus energy afterwards, see the nightlife suggestions listed under Day 2 . Also check out the dining options listed there for ideas on where to take breaks to eat during your river journey.

Day 2: Bangkok Shopping & Eating

One good place to start your second day in Bangkok is the Jim Thompson House, home of the American who rejuvenated the Thai silk industry. It's right in the city center (near the National Stadium BTS).

Afterwards, ready yourself for a full frontal attack on the city's shops: About a 10-minute walk away from the Jim Thompson House is Mah Boon Krang (MBK), a giant mall catering to Thai teenagers and bargain-hunters alike. Nearby Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center offer more upscale brand names, while adjacent to the Siam BTS is Siam Paragon, a center filled with super-luxury boutiques.

Grab a coffee or snack at the Paragon's bright new food court if you need a break, and then continue on to the funky, trendy clothing stores and restaurants found across the way in Siam Square. Farther down the road are two snazzy malls: Central World, with some amazing restaurants that'll serve well for lunch, and the newly refurbished Zen store next door. Finally, on the other side of the road, check out the chic shops at Gaysorn Plaza, and across the road, the Erawan mall.

If you want to keep up the high-end shopping, hop on the subway to Phrom Phong to the designer warehouse The Emporium and then hop a cab to Panthip Plaza, the city's biggest electronics bazaar. If it's a weekend day, try to visit the gigantic and labyrinthine Chatuchak Market by the Saphan Khwai BTS.

Once you're shopped out, other cultural sites to see in town include Wat Suthat and its giant swing (near Chinatown), stunning Vimarnmek Palace in Dusit Park, and Wat Sakhet, better known as the Golden Mount, which is just north of Klong Banglampoo.

Or you might consider taking a half-day of classes. Both The Peninsula and The Oriental hotels have cooking schools, while the affable restaurateur and TV chef Mrs. Balbir teaches from her home off Sukhumvit. Meditation can be studied at The House of Dhamma or Wat Mahathat, and Thai massage at the Chiva-Som Academy.

If you'd rather get a massage instead of learning how to give one, indulge in one of Bangkok's many affordable massage parlors such as Healthland or Ruam Nuad, both off Sathorn Road, or in a hotel spa. The more rigorous Thai massages should help circulation and aid sleep for the jet-lagged.

Dining choices in this city run the gamut from street food to gourmet restaurants, to dinner cruises offered by five-star hotels like The Oriental, Banyan Tree, and Shangri-la. For a totally mind-blowing dining experience, try the 64-story, open-air Sirocco, or for ground-level authenticity, the local jazz scene at Brown Sugar.

When it comes to nightlife, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, off Sukhumvit Road, form the hub of the go-go scene here. The area around Silom Soi 4 houses the city's best gay bars and good gay/mixed clubs. And Silom Soi Patpong hums with a bustling night market -- it's Bangkok's busiest red-light district. Bars here are as famous for their exotic shows as they are for truly extortionate prices, (enforced by hired muscle). Since the rise of HIV/AIDS in Thailand, the area has been somewhat sanitized, though.

Other nightlife options include checking out a classical Thai dinner-dance at The Oriental's Sala Rim Nam, at Studio 9 restaurant, which is part of the city's famous Patravadi Theater, or at adjacent Supatra River House. Or Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) can be watched at Rachadamnoen or Lumphini stadiums.

Day 3: Day Trips from Bangkok

If you've already covered all the attractions listed above, take a day trip on your third day in Bangkok. Options include a wonderful boat and bus trip to the former capital of Ayutthaya, a journey to Kanchanaburi, home of the "Death Railway," or a trip to Khao Yai National Park, which offers welcome greenery.