In this city of contrasts, glass skyscrapers stand behind century- old temples. Street food vendors sling steaming noodles along roadways while tucked-away restaurants serve multicourse, Michelin-level cuisine. Roadways jam with cars as jewel-toned tuk tuks whizz through the gridlock. Long considered a tourist mecca, Bangkok also makes for a dynamic, budding location for corporate travelers.

Thailand boasts Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, and U.S. News & World Report named it the second-best country in which to start a business in 2023. Bangkok, its commercial center, serves as a convenient gateway to the region thanks to its international airport (U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits of 60 days or less), busy Laem Chabang Port to the south, a welcoming startup environment, and supportive business policies and tax incentives.

The city’s balance of traditional Thai culture and contemporary offerings provides an ideal backdrop for building relationships and entertaining visitors and locals alike.

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© MS CREATIVE | DREAMSTIME.

Bangkok sits on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, so exploring the city’s past by boat in between meetings is a must — with the added benefit of avoiding the ever-present roadway traffic. River taxis, hotel shuttle boats and private longtail boat rentals are all available and can deliver travelers to some of the more than 300 Buddhist temples and monasteries (known as wats) distributed across the city. Start at Wat Arun, or Temple of the Dawn, with its porcelain-covered terraces, then hop back on the boat to cross the river. There sits the city’s largest temple, Wat Pho, and its 151-foot-long, gold-plated Reclining Buddha. It’s a 15-minute walk to Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, a meditating figurine carved from a single piece of jade. (Note: Sleeved shirts and skirts or pants that extend past the knee are required at temple sites, and shoes must be removed to enter certain areas.)

If the heat and humidity, which peak between March and June, prove stifling, add some air-conditioning to a cultural tour with a visit to the contemporary-leaning Creative District just off Thanon Charoen Krung, the city’s first paved roadway. Originally developed in 2015, a new generation of creatives transformed the area’s winding alleyways and deserted World War II-era buildings into a mix of vibrant art galleries, colorful murals, bustling cafés and street food vendors. While you can certainly explore the walkable neighborhood on your own, Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River down the road can arrange a guided tour — and transportation — for guests to venues like the family-run ATT 19; Warehouse 30 community art space; and Aurum Gallery’s striking collection of urban, street and pop art.

Experts advise concentrating activities in one area, at least until 9 p.m. Public transportation (BTS Skytrain and MRT) offers a smart option, and visitors can order a motorbike taxi with the Grab app (Uber doesn’t have a presence in Bangkok).

Eating is a favorite pastime throughout the country, and the food and drink options around the city present a similar mix of old and new. For lunch, tour Jim Thompson House Museum, celebrating the “Silk King,” before sitting down to traditional flavors at the Thai restaurant. Or schedule your group for a half-day cooking class (available daily) at the iconic Blue Elephant to learn to meld those flavors yourself.

© SOMYOT SUTPRATTANATAWIN | DREAMSTIME

Respecting a couple of Thai customs can go a long way in building lasting relationships. Don’t shake hands. Instead, embrace the traditional greeting, the wai, by pressing your hands together, thumbs at your heart, then nodding and say hello (“sawadee ka” if it’s a woman speaking, “sawadee krap” if it’s a man). “Khun” is a polite honorific to use when greeting any adult; simply use it before their first name.

Divide your evening meals between a street food tour in Chinatown, along the neon sign-lined Yaowarat Road; a luxury dinner cruise with Pruek Cruise; and a designed-to-impress meal. With views of Wat Pho, Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn’s Nusara showcases the wide range of Thai flavors via a tasting menu that tells a story as much as it satiates. The stylish Yu Ting Yuan at Four Seasons focuses on Cantonese cuisine and offers private dining spaces.

Bangkok allows certain entertainment venues to stay open until 4 a.m., and the city has a penchant for fun, so nightcaps are a must. Linger over the experimental cocktails coming out of Bar Us, where the bartenders wear white lab coats, or the classic-meets-unexpected concoctions at moody Vesper. Both rank among Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Cap off the evening with live jazz at Buddha & Pals. By that time, you’ll likely know your Thai companions by their nicknames, more commonly used than the names on their business cards.