At the heart of the world's greatest city

Bangkok real estate is an investment in a destination that travellers see as the finest place in the entire world. And so do many Thais, which is why it's also a great investment.

While Bangkok consistently earns top ranking in tourism surveys, its real estate has options to suit a range of wonderful lifestyles.

The pinnacle of Bangkok real estate is generally seen as a place near Sukhumvit Road, the key highway through the city. Residents here are close to stations on Bangkok's gleaming skytrain, which brings all the city into reach with brisk, air-conditioned luxury.

What's more, real estate in this corner of Bangkok can offer rural tranquility right at the heart of this bustling metropolis. In the smaller side-roads off Sukhumvit, it is easy to find a home free from traffic and nestled amid lush trees and verdant lawns.

Bangkok real estate is mainly condominiums, which are especially attractive to foreign buyers, who can get freehold ownership. A condo worth 10 million baht - about €200,000, $300,000 or £180,000 - also earns its owner the permanent right to live in Thailand.

But a much smaller investment in real estate in Bangkok can also buy a very desirable and central apartment. For instance, a studio in the hip neighbourhood of Ekkamai puts some of the city's chicest boutiques and liveliest restaurants on your doorstep, at a price that few of the world's happening postcodes could match.

In the prestigious neighbourhood of Pathon Yothin, investors in Bangkok real estate can enjoy an upscale lifestyle in a leafy enclave, while just a step away from global business headquarters, international fashion malls, spacious parks, bustling street markets and a spectrum of bars and restaurants.

The knockout appeal of Bangkok real estate is that while it offers substantial capital appreciation - buyers near skytrain stations are especially sure of gains - it is also a gateway into an endlessly fascinating world where ancient spirituality and cutting-edge fashion both come with the warm of timeless courtesy.