There is another side to Thailand that is not so frequently acknowledged; Thailand’s designers are at the forefront of eco-design.

Popular with everyone from backpackers to businessmen, here we look at some of the hidden getaways within Bangkok, as well as larger hotels whose themes range from creative luxury to artsy kitsch.

From humble beginnings hawking food in alleys of Bangkok, Chef Pongtawat 'Ian Kittichai' Chalermkittichai is now the foremost Thai chef with a culinary reach spreading from Bangkok to New York City.

The Culture Trip journeys into the five time-defying UNESCO World Heritage Sites that turn Thailand into a must-see destination for nature, culture and history lovers.

The Venice Biennale sees two young, contemporary artists representing Thailand, whose works interpret the cuisine of their homeland.

Thailand’s art scene has recently entered a period of rapid development and a host of new galleries have opened in Bangkok. A new generation of Thai artists are also emerging, who are influenced by Thai cultural traditions and Western art.

Imagining Flood, a photographic study of the 2011 mega floods in Bangkok by Miti Ruangkritya, captures the foreboding and surreal nature of the event by presenting the flood in a dreamlike, otherworldly way.

The Thai film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives was the first ever Southeast Asian film to win the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Located in the heart of Bangkok's most affluent districts, La Lanta Fine Art offers contemporary artworks by internationally acclaimed artists. The gallery also exhibits work by up-and-coming artists.

Filled with photos of all types, Kathmandu Photography Gallery in Bangkok – created by Thai photo-artist Manit Sriwanichpoom – has been modeled on the photographers’ shops of old, where one could walk in and sift through folders of signed prints for sale.

H Gallery is one of Asia's leading venues for regional and international art. Established in 2002 in Bangkok, the gallery began with a focus on emerging Asian artists and on generating critical dialogues on contemporary art practices in a global context.

Featuring exhibits of Thai art and history, this museum was established in 1874 by King Rama V to exhibit relics from the rule of King Rama IV. Today, the galleries contain exhibits covering Thai History back to Neolithic times.

Well known for its giant three-headed elephant art display, the three storeys inside this Samut Prakan-based museum contain antiquities and priceless collections of ancient religious objects.

With a wide range of architectural symbols combined with fine arts and craftsmanship, the Ancient City in Samut Prakan creates an atmosphere that induces visitors to appreciate the continuity of history, cultures, religions, arts and customs of the Thai people.

Carefully constructed from the inside out by some of the world's most famed architects and designers, the hotel's aesthetics take their cue from the ancient city of Sukhothai. The hotel features replicas of the magnificent stupas and pagodas. Book it.

Within and without the Muse Hotel in Bangkok, design and décor exude an interplay of classic European signatures and ornate Asian motifs. This allows the turn-of-the-century grandeur aesthetics some contemporary and even whimsical twists. Book it.

The Artist's place is a guesthouse in Bangkok where artists and individuals can express themselves through drawing, painting, poetry and music, and where travellers can be submerged in authentic Thai culture.