Let’s Visit Asia

The following entry is a contribution from guest blogger, Toni, currently writing at Wifely Steps.

Why do I love Bangkok? Let me count the ways. For now, let’s go with the Top 5 reasons however, as I could go on and on with why I love this city so. I want to whet your appetite with what Bangkok has to offer, not bore you with them! And so we begin.

1. The Airport

One way you will know a country takes good care of its tourists by how their airport looks. This is the first interaction a tourist has with a country, and the last one that’ll make an impression as well before he flies back home. Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport (the “new” airport) is clean and sleek. Modern paintings and authentic Thai statues accent the airport, giving off the message that while Bangkok has become highly modern, it has retained its traditional values and rich culture. There are many facilities as well to keep you occupied – drink bars, food stalls, cosmetic bars, boutiques, ice cream stores and restaurants offering various cuisine (Japanese, Chinese, American, etc.). With the laid-back but professional vibe you get from airport, you know you’re going to be well-cared for in this country.2. The Food Thai food is quickly described as being hot and spicy. True, Thai dishes do make your eyes water if you’re not mindful of the chilies. But Thai food is more than just fiery, it is an explosive blend of sweet, sour and spicy. The Thais own unique mix of their local herbs, spices and chilies give their cuisine a flavor that is rich and lively, but never overwhelming. Whether you buy a guava smeared with shrimp paste from a street vendor, grab quick bites of fried scallops at local fast food joints or dine elegantly at 5-star restaurants, the clean and zesty tang of Thai food is unmistakably prominent. If the authenticity of a particular cuisine is an indication of how strong a heritage a city has, then Bangkok, no matter how metropolitan it can get, has no identity crisis whatsoever. It is uniquely, distinctly Thai.3. Transportation Bangkok traffic is terrible. One driver regaled us with an anecdote of how one passenger’s impatience with traffic made her step out of the taxi, asking the driver to wait for her. She crossed the street and entered a foot massage salon, emerging one hour later with a more relaxed vibe, much to the chagrin of the cab driver who was still in the same spot she left him. I was lucky enough not to experience traffic as bad as that! While cabs are abound in Bangkok, there are alternative modes of transportation that can get you to your destination much quicker: tuktuks and the BTS.The tuk tuk is very similar to a tricycle. “I give you cheap price!,” tuk tuk drivers would shout in a friendly manner when you walk past them. Its fare is much cheaper than taxis, but since they are open, you are more susceptible to the roads’ pollution. Tuk tuks are hell scary to ride in as they go on the freeway! I’ll never forget my experience of being face to face with a bus’s huge wheel right smack outside my tuk tuk “door.” But because it’s so small, the tuk tuk weaves through traffic effortlessly, and you gain access to side streets. You reach your destination quickly with your wind-blown hair as mark of your riding a tuk tuk.Now I LOVE the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System). The skytrain is super efficient, clean and amateur-friendly. This is much better than sitting through an hour of traffic! This overhead railway system has more than 20 stations, allowing you to access different parts of the city easily. I love that several of its stops are directly beside hot shopping spots like MBK, Siam Paragon and Emporium. Which leads me to my next reason why I love Bangkok…

4. The Shopping

Night markets, high-end shopping malls, hole-in-the-wall boutiques and jewelry stores, Bangkok has it all. If you’re the bargain-hunting type, check out the Chatuchak Weekend Market. This sprawling marketplace has everything one can possibly need – it may in fact be one of the largest markets in the world. Arm yourself with comfortable clothes, good walking shoes and a bottle of water if you plan on conquering this market. The many troves will keep you on a shopping high and hopefully it doesn’t intimate the shopping novice! Even if you’re highly adventurous, I suggest you avail of the free map from one of the information booths so you can fully maximize the shopping experience.If you don’t want to sweat while you shop but still want a bargain, there’s always MBK. Floors and floors of bargain clothes, food, toys, entertainment and souvenirs will excite any tourist. My favorite spots here are the bag stalls at the lower floors and the massage spa on the 6th floor. After a full day of shopping and walking around the mall with heavy bags and lighter pockets, the serene salon is the perfect way to unwind. Get a 2-hour Thai massage and feel all the tension melt away. The authentic décor will make you forget you’re in a busy mall. And then go back to shopping.Another mall I loved was Siam Paragon. I wish I lived next door to this mall. It is a large shopping complex. Let me repeat that. It is a LARGE shopping complex. Upon entering this mall, you will notice that the strong lines of glass and steel are softened by hanging vines and greens, and the sound of waterfalls. There is a lot of breathing space in this mall so you don’t have to worry about crowds. In the midst of all your shopping, don’t forget to check out Siam Ocean World, Bangkok’s first world class aquarium. It houses seven different environments, such as “Weird and Wonderful” – a display of unusual marine life and my favorite, the “Open Ocean.” This particular environment features a panoramic aquarium showing various ocean life – from sharks to stingrays, clownfish to lion fish. It is an amazing sight. While you can view this spectacular display from the outside typical of looking into an aquarium, you can also take a glass-bottomed boat ride and see the view from the top!

5. The People

No wonder this country is known to be “The Land of Smiles.” The people I met at the city were gentle, pleasant and helpful. Thai people are known to be calm, avoiding outbursts and other highly emotional exchanges. No wonder our cab driver just hummed a peaceful tune while my companion and I whined to ourselves about the traffic. No wonder bargaining with merchants isn’t as stressful as in other countries. I also loved how orderly they were, evidenced by the neat streets and BTS stations. Our tuk tuk driver, the merchant who sold us fresh banana shakes, the receptionists at our hotel, the BTS passengers, they all seemed to have been on some kind of happy pill. And because they were calm, I felt calm too. I could get used to that.

Ah, this article is not enough to express how Bangkok captivated me. What impresses me most about this city is that their culture is that the tall buildings and modern designs do not weaken their traditions and their culture. This, for me, is a mark of a great city. One that moves along with the pace of the millennium but still true to their culture at heart. I love Bangkok and I do hope to discover more of it soon!

6 Comments