Shine City

What to go

Shop. At the quirky Thai Home Industries, troll for stainless steel flatware inspired by upcountry farm tools that are part of the MoMA design collection (35 Oriental Avenue; 662-234-1736).

Thai Done Right. Eat like a spice-loving local at Gallery Café — we love the crispy prawn cakes, Thai tuna salad tossed with slivers of powerful chilies, and succulent chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves (86-100 Soi Captain Bush; 662-639-5580).

Stop and Smell. The fragrant Pak Klong Talaad, is the country’s most important wholesale flower market. The buying and selling frenzy starts around 2 a.m., when boats begin to dock near Memorial Bridge with a cornucopia of fresh flowers including orchids, marigolds, zinnias, jasmine and, of course, roses.