My first trip to Southeast Asia was five years ago when my partner and I visited the exotic capital of Thailand, Bangkok. He had been before but it was my first visit and I was entranced. I returned to this favorite city recently and I’m happy to say the same feelings of awe and wonder were still there. After thinking about it, here are just a few reasons why I love Bangkok.
1. Wat Arun at sunset
2. Fresh mango
3. Even though it’s touristy, I always love the Grand Palace
4. Wandering through little neighborhoods
5. Best meal in your life from a hawker – all for only a few bucks
6. Watching a muay thai fight
7. Crispy chicken with garlic and basil. Singha beer optional
8. Simple pleasure of a scented and icy cold washcloth
9. Accepting that 100% humidity is ok
10. Learning how to say thank you and hello within only a few minutes
11. Rich, fragrant smell of the exotic that only Bangkok has.
12. Gaudy bargaining at the Silom night market
13. Giving money to help the soi dogs
14. Novelty of fresh durian from a street vendor
15. Getting out and exploring the countryside around Bangkok
16. Mango and sticky rice
17. For the luck of finding a great restaurant tucked away in the middle of no-where
18. Traditional Thai massage, even though it hurts
19. To revel in the pride Thais rightly have of their country
20. The festivals, even the crazy ones like Songkran
21. Learning why it really is the Land of a Thousand Smiles
22. Boat ride on the Chao Phraya River
23. Learn how to cook a Thai meal
24. Talking about life with a Thai
25. Exploring the hidden neighborhoods on a long tail boat
26. Haggling for anything, anywhere in town
27. Accepting that the river Chao Phraya is the lifeblood of the city and learning all about it
28. The incredible scents and spices only found in Bangkok
29. Wat Arun at sunrise
30. High end food at budget prices
31. Buying a tailor made suit
32. Soda with a straw
33. Shopping at the many great malls
34. It’s huge, but intimate at the same time
35. View of the city from the Golden Mount
36. Exploring the luxurious side of the city
37. Pineapple in a bag for $1
38. Old world majesty at the teak palace
39. Pick a temple, any temple
40. Sunset dinner at the In Love restaurant
41. Falling in love with one of the largest and most beautiful airports in the world – Suvarnabhumi Airport
42. Gardens of the Jim Thompson House
Wow, what a great article on Bangkok! Loved it, and the pictures are so wonderful. Thanks for bringing back so many great memories for me. Hope you will come by to check out my articles on Bangkok & Chiang Mai when you have time!
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Yes, yes and yes. While Bangkok is not my favorite place in Thailand, it’s still awesome.
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Striking colors and photography!
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My all-time favorite city… thank you!
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No ping pong antics? No temple scams? No locals telling you temples are closed? Where’s the “real” Bangkok I’ve come to love eh?
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Matt Long Reply:
May 8th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Not sure what you mean about ping pong, but I’ve written about the scams before here: http://landlopers.com/2011/04/07/palace-closed-today-how-deal-uncomfortable-travel-moments/
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I cringe at calling myself a traveller when I have NEVER been to Asia. Every post I read though gets me a little more excited, in particular this one. Just can’t wait.
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Matt Long Reply:
May 13th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Traveling isn’t about how many stamps are in your passport, it’s about the spirit of adventure.
You’ll love Asia when you get there though, it’s a great place.
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Makes me want to get back to Bangkok! Ahhh… #30
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Hated Bangkok. Huge dirty city. All the things mentioned can be found anywhere else. Not impressed.
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Matt Long Reply:
May 20th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Well no, they can’t be, but I’m sorry you didn’t like it! Not everyone can like every city
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Wonderful perspective on Bangkok, thank you for sharing. I think it may be fun to tour this city with someone who knows and loves it, like you. Alas, I am stuck on my hotel room with a terrible case of food poisoning. Such is my life!
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Fantastic read, we are down here in Koh Samui but reading this makes we want to go back to Bangkok to explore some more!
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I live in Bangkok and while it is a pretty cool city, it seems to have lost its luster in my eyes. Now I only see the terrible traffic and awful weather. Thanks for helping to remind me why I live here
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Matt Long Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 7:55 am
I think that happens to most of us wherever we live. I know I’m guilty of the same thing here in DC.
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couldn’t agree more
can’t wait to go back to Bangkok though
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I’m dying to visit Thailand, and hope to spend a few months roaming Bangkok when I do!
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Seriously? You don’t know what the ‘ping pong’ meant in one of the comments above? Come on =) (http://my-thai.org/thailands-ping-pong-show-its-not-a-sport/)
Pictures are awesome, list mostly ok (from my point of view of course) but I personally will never become a friend of the hardcore bargaining and the fact that most people try to make a ‘special’ price for farangs (foreigners).
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Brilliant article. Brought back wonderful memories of my holiday trip in Bangkok. A city with great shopping, delicious Thai food, exciting Thai culture, Thai massage, and impressive temples. I stayed in lovely serviced apartments, Fraser Suites Sukhumvit during my trip. My family love the spacious and modern ensuite bedrooms. Now I really feel like going back to Bangkok soon.
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Funny you’ve been to In Love. Never actually been there on a date, but have had a few amazing boo paht pong garee (crab in a dry curry sauce) many times there!
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Matt Long Reply:
August 19th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Really? It’s out favorite restaurant in Bangkok. I was so happy it was still there after five years!
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Watching Muai Thai was on my to-do list but i never went, still kicking myself for not going… great list though. I miss Bangkok!
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This is making a convincing argument for Bangkok, I must say. I am planning my first trip to South-East Asia next year and it looks like Bangkok will be my arrival point. What do you reckon – a good place to start as an introduction to the region?
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Matt Long Reply:
November 29th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Yeah I think it’s a great spot. It’s modern but with all the SE Asian trappings you would expect. The region can be overwhelming at first and Bangkok is a good way to ease into it.
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What a solid list, Bangkok is one of those places people either love or hate. Personally, I love it and don’t understand anyone who says they hate it. I think it’s the people who came for the islands and have no time for anything else. Of everything on the list my favorite is probably #18 the massage. I had one not long ago for $60 and couldn’t help but think of how many I could get in Bangkok.
Oh yeah, you missed Khao San Road!
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Good read. My company’s looking to relocate me to their head office in Bangkok. Never been there before, so not sure what to expect. They’re offering me 180,000b per month. Is this enough to live comfortably?
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Matt Long Reply:
January 13th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
First, I want a job that relocates me to Bangkok.
It’s an awesome city and that should be more than enough to live comfortably there. I think you’ll love it
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Great write up! Can’t wait until I get to Bangkok for the first time later this year!
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You had me sold at ‘mango and sticky rice’ but I’m glad I kept reading! looks like such a fascinating place. I started my travelling life in South and Central America and have made it over to the south Pacific before getting stuck in Aus and NZ each for a year. I’m looking forward o exploring Asia. The food and the colours are so alluring.
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What a great list! Mango and Sticky Rice is my favourite
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