AFF Suzuki Cup venue guide: Bangkok

Having been the location where Thailand won their first home AFF Suzuki Cup title, the modern metropolis of Bangkok holds fond memories for all supporters of the War Elephants.

With the group stage matches being played outside of the capital back in 2000, Thailand saw off Malaysia and Indonesia in the knockout stages to lift their second AFF Suzuki Cup title in front of a large and boisterous crowd.

Group stage action returns to Bangkok for the third time – and the first since 2012 – and whilst that will surely be a boost as the nation bids to become the first to win three consecutive AFF Suzuki Cup titles the city is also one of the most warm and welcoming anywhere in Southeast Asia.

City: Bangkok

Population: 8.2 million

Currency: Baht (1THB = 0.031 USD)

Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium

Local clubs: Bangkok Glass, Bangkok United, Police Tero

One of the grand old venues of Southeast Asian football, the Rajamangala is not perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing stadium but it holds a vast amount of football history both at regional and continental level and is sure to be a cauldron of activity as Thailand welcomes Indonesia on November 17 and then Singapore eight days later.

In between those matches there’s more than enough to keep any football fan well entertained, fed and refreshed.

What to do: This vast and constantly energetic city still has a quieter edge and it’s there that many of the most spectacular sights are found with a visit to the imposing Grand Palace and nearby Wat Pho – home to a remarkable 46-metre long, gold covered, reclining Buddha – being compulsory for all visitors to the city.

A cruise along the famed river, Chao Phraya, is another relaxing way to spend the day or if a more chaotic thrill is what you’re after there’s plenty of sprawling malls, markets and nightlife to keep you up all hours.

What to eat: Gai Tod/Moo Ping – Bangkok is one of the great culinary capitals of the world and with everything from internationally renowned, top end, restaurants to equally as tasty street stalls you almost can’t go wrong.

It’s on the streets though where you’ll likely have the best, and certainly most authentic, meals with the staples of those being both Gai Tod (fried chicken) and Moo Ping (tender chicken or pork skewers) cooked on simple charcoal grills that will wow your senses.

Useful phrases: It’s always handy to have a couple of football related expressions so you could try impressing the locals by asking them if they like football – khun chorp footborn mai khrup/ka?

If they say yes (chai khrup/ka) you could try a follow up by asking which team do you support (khun chorp fai nai khrup/ka)?

Where to watch the other games: You could walk down almost any street in the central areas of the city and find places to watch the games with the Sukhumvit and Silom areas in particular having a density of bars and restaurants that not many cities on earth can match – pull up a chair, grab a drink and get ready to dissect all the action with the knowledgeable locals.

Where to stay: With so many different districts offering the full range of accommodation options choosing where to stay can be a baffling experience in Thailand but most gravitate towards either Sukhumvit (a vast stretch of road that caters to all the shopping, eating and drinking you could want), Siam (a shopping paradise) or Silom (business by day, a range of nightlife options when the sun goes down).

Stadium access: One of the few stadiums in the world where taking a canal boat is a feasible option (Saphan Mit Mahat Thai is the pier to get off at), taxis are generally best avoided owing to the often heavily congested roads in the capital.

Perhaps the best bet is taking the train to Ramkhamhaeng station on the Airport Line and either walking the 2-3 kilometres to the stadium or trying to pick up a taxi from there.

Inside knowledge: Mika Chunuonsee (Thailand defender)

Often the best way to get an insight into a city's cafe and restaurant scene is ask a footballer, given that so many spend much of their time outside of training and playing in such places.

Thai international defender Mika Chunuonsee is no exception and here he lists his favourite cafes and restaurants for any visiting football fans to try out when they’re in the bustling city.

Cafes: