![Thai green prawn curry.](/web/20161212173419im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/i/1/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gt2di5.png/1481108428529.jpg)
Marion Grasby was taught to cook traditional Thai by her Cordon Bleu-trained mother Noi, who was raised in rural Thailand. The immensely popular MasterChef contestant, cookbook author and TV presenter is now based in Bangkok and created Marion's Kitchen, a range of Thai ingredient kits, sold around the world. She has just released her new product, Fresh Wrap Kits. See marionskitchen.com
FAVOURITE TABLE
An old-school southern Thai restaurant called Khua Kling Pak Sod. The food here brings new meaning to the word spicy but I wouldn't have it any other way. The yellow crab curry is to die for and one of my favourite dishes in Bangkok. See khuaklingpaksod.com
LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
A northern Thai dish called tum kanoon. It's shredded young jackfruit spiked with spicy curry paste and local herbs. My favourite version comes from a small shop house restaurant called Baan Saranome. (235 Asoke-Montri Road, Bangkok.)
![Marion Grasby, of Marion's Kitchen.](/web/20161212173419im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/k/c/3/image.related.articleLeadwide.520x294.gt2di5.png/1481108428529.jpg)
BEST-KEPT FOOD SECRET
The Khlong Lot Mayom market is the ''real deal'' when it comes to floating markets, unlike the more touristy places that sell mostly cheap souvenirs. It's a 40-minute drive from downtown Bangkok and you'll find every manner of Thai food from salt-crusted grilled fish to spicy papaya salads and aromatic noodle soups. (Soi Bang Ramat, Bang Phrom, Taling Chan. Open weekends only.)
MUST-TRY DISH
Street-side papaya salad and grilled chicken. It's everywhere. Look for the busiest stall, pull up a plastic stool and dig in. Charcoal infused, smoky chicken paired with a freshly made, super spicy papaya salad just can't be beat. No restaurant does it better than the street carts. Try out one of my favourite stalls on Sukhumvit Soi 16 near the intersection with Sukhumvit Road.
FAVOURITE INDULGENCE
It's not often that the fine-dining Thai restaurants of Bangkok hit the mark but Paste is absolutely blowing it out of the water with innovative, surprising and yet authentic flavours. The dining room is beautiful and the wine list superb. See pastebangkok.com
A BIG NIGHT OUT
Head underground and descend into Maggie Choo's quirky prohibition-style jazz bar. Start the night with a martini and good intentions while listening to some of Bangkok's best jazz and soul singers. End the night dancing on tables when the DJ takes over. See novotelbangkoksilom.com
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The cooler, drier months from November to February. Cooler weather makes market wandering more comfortable and safer from a street-food point of view.
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