My next stop was to see Jarrett Wrisley, an American-born chef whose Bangkok-based Thai restaurant, Soul Food Mahanakorn, has received many accolades.

BBC: The quest for the perfect pad Thai

Then salvation arrives in the form of Bangkok-based chef David Thompson, Michelin-starred for his Thai restaurant nahm in London's Halkin hotel (halkin. como.bz).

BBC: Postcard from Bangkok

Enjoy the relaxed, open-air atmosphere of a 1920s Thai home at the Issaya Siamese Club, where local celebrity chef Ian Kittichai turns out dishes seasoned with herbs grown in the house garden, such as red chilli-glazed seabass (pla aob prik) and jasmine flower flan (kanom dok mali).

BBC: Business trip: Bangkok

Allow the chef to prepare a balanced meal composed of five essential dishes: Thai salad (yum), chilli relish (kreung jim), stir fry (jan phat), curry (keng) and soup (nahm keng).

BBC: Business trip: Bangkok

You can find Danish chef Henrik Yde-Andersen's foams, smoke and other molecular gastronomic tricks at Sra Bua, while at Nahm, Australian chef and writer David Thompson serves beautifully presented dishes based on traditional Thai recipes.

WSJ: Insider's Guide to Bangkok | Journal Concierge

South Asian chef Christina Sunae opened Cocina Sunae, the go-to place for flavourful Thai food in Buenos Aires.

BBC: International cuisine in Buenos Aires�� puerta cerradas