Is this true: "Bangkok is garbage now a great place for naive clueless tourists and overpay"

[Kevin_Beethoven]

I pulled this quote from a thread I started posing a question on "Alternative Music" in BKK.

Rather than reply to this particular response I thought it deserved its own thread.

 

Background: I've taken a company opportunity to do a 6 month stint in BKK to try and expand our business.

Chose BKK due to what I would assume is its exoticness and fun nightlife and as a staging ground to trips to adjacent countries.

 

Did I choose the wrong gig? Or was the original poster being a bit "over the top".

Will I return back to the USA penniless, with VD, and possibly fired due to not doing my job due to distractions?

Or will it be a life fulfilling experience?

 

And if the title statement turns out to be true, is there an alternative place where I can find an alternative BKK "like the good old days of the 2000's, 1990's, 1970's etc.!!!"

 

Edit: Quote in title is not my words. I.e. not my grammar!

 

[KhunLA]

You seem to be a lost soul (or trolling), in which case, stay away from high rise accommodations, as the temptation to join the "Flying Club" may be too much for you 

[Briggsy]

Please rewrite your opening post properly.

 

It is incredibly vague and severely lacking detail.

 

You are claiming to be a company executive new to Thailand but your writing style meanders from stoner to long-time resident to wellness coach.

 

This topic won't fly but have a think and try again. I am sure you can do better.

[NoDisplayName]

19 hours ago, Kevin_Beethoven said:

I've taken a company opportunity to do a 6 month stint in BKK to try and expand our business.

Chose BKK due to what I would assume is its exoticness and fun nightlife

 

Your company is set to expand and you or they already chose Bangkok, before you started research?  And your research involves polling random stoners on an 'alternative' music sub-thread?

 

No worries, you'll fit write in.

 

Just use the word "hub" as often as possible.

[Enzian]

There's a club called The Overstay. Look it up.

[SiSePuede419]

Has the person who said this been to Tokyo, Paris, London and NYC?

All more expensive than BKK and also full of clueless tourists.

Get a job, Cubby. 🙄

[SiSePuede419]

8 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

Your company is set to expand and you or they already chose Bangkok, before you started research? 

Just like the person on here a few years ago with a high school diploma who claimed they were here working on "financial software".

They were dumbasses mining Bitcoin.

No education, no plan.

Checks out. 👍

[Kevin_Beethoven]

Looks like I ruffled some feathers here.

Not my intention.

It was a genuine question based on a lot of threads I've read here on AN in last few weeks.

 

In any case. Appreciate the feedback.

 

All the best and have a great new year everyone.

 

 

[Walker88]

I'll risk it and take you seriously.

 

Bangkok is a great city. It is quite modern, has good commo technology, great healthcare, and a wide range of restaurants covering every taste, from Thai to Japanese to Italian to Chinese to Indian to French to burgers and wings. Grocery stores carry lots of Western staples, if one wishes to eat those foods, you can find most any clothing or electronic item you might want (except if you have large and narrow feet, like my 12 B, best your bring shoes from home). If one is an exercise fanatic, good gyms are everywhere and inexpensive.

 

Transportation is convenient (BTS Skytrain and MRT underground), and even if taxi drivers try to cheat you, rides are still cheap.

 

Nightlife is whatever you want it to be, from nightclubs to bars to the things for which Thailand has a reputation. For a Westerner, especially one who hasn't traveled much, the city can be somewhat exotic. It's also safer than most major Western cities, almost on par with Tokyo.

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a major hub and one can catch a flight to almost anywhere from there.

 

The downsides are that it is crowded and the air is not the best, especially during the field burning season. Also, there are really only two seasons: really hot, and rainy & really hot. One gets used to the heat, but it can take time.The bureaucracy can be frustrating, too, but a little patience and a polite manner get one through that.

 

I've lived in many countries, and I find Thailand and Bangkok to be a place where one can easily and quickly adapt......and enjoy. What I like is that each little neighborhood in Bangkok becomes like a village: everybody knows everybody and gets along really well, both Thais and expats.

[Phillip9]

4 hours ago, Walker88 said:

It's also safer than most major Western cities, almost on par with Tokyo.

 

Thailand has a murder rate 20x higher than Japan.

 

[Walker88]

16 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

 

Thailand has a murder rate 20x higher than Japan.

 

Safe for foreigners. Most murders are Thai on Thai, save for the occasional German who stores frozen "meat" in Patts.

[save the frogs]

.

 

[Kevin_Beethoven]

On 1/3/2025 at 12:31 PM, Walker88 said:

I'll risk it and take you seriously.

 

Bangkok is a great city. It is quite modern, has good commo technology, great healthcare, and a wide range of restaurants .....

 

I've lived in many countries, and I find Thailand and Bangkok to be a place where one can easily and quickly adapt......and enjoy. What I like is that each little neighborhood in Bangkok becomes like a village: everybody knows everybody and gets along really well, both Thais and expats.

 

Thanks @Walker88 - appreciate the thoughtful reply.

 

I definitely think BKK will be a great adventure.  My title probably sounded a bit offensive or even dumb.

 

I've lived (on business) in Taipei, HK, and Shanghai. Whilst they were all fantastic places, They were expensive.

It sort of bothered me that I came back home basically broke after hearing how "cheap" Asia is!

 

Hoping BKK and surrounding countries will be as you say and also, much cheaper! This trip I hope to take in some of the more high end entertainment in BKK and not break the bank. 

 

In any case, lots of good information here. Looking forward to getting over there and being another Westerner with the "What the <deleted>" look on his face 🙂

 

Once again, cheers.

[impulse]

I fly into Swampy from overseas (N China) once a month, stay a week or so and all in, I'm at $400-600 for airfare and hotel.  (Big variable is the season for hotel and flight prices) That includes a weekend up country every few months, with hotel and (historic) train ride.  I figure food's a wash whether I stay home and eat or eat in Thailand.  

 

I thoroughly enjoy those visits.  I also loved working in Bangkok for those 6 years.  So I'd disagree with the characterization as Garbage or A great place to overpay.  I'd be hard pressed to enjoy an overseas trip more for less $$$.  Of course, like anywhere in the world, you can overpay.  But I don't have to.

 

[Kevin_Beethoven]

14 hours ago, impulse said:

I fly into Swampy from overseas (N China) once a month, stay a week or so and all in, I'm at $400-600 for airfare and hotel.  (Big variable is the season for hotel and flight prices) That includes a weekend up country every few months, with hotel and (historic) train ride.  I figure food's a wash whether I stay home and eat or eat in Thailand.  

 

I thoroughly enjoy those visits.  I also loved working in Bangkok for those 6 years.  So I'd disagree with the characterization as Garbage or A great place to overpay.  I'd be hard pressed to enjoy an overseas trip more for less $$$.  Of course, like anywhere in the world, you can overpay.  But I don't have to.

 

Thanks for that. That kind of price is just amazing.

A week or so in Florida (domestic flights) would run me $3,000 to $4,000 on the budget side.

 

Good hotels in BKK on booking.com seem outrageously cheap.

I stayed in Air BnBs in the other countries, but with hotel prices like this I might just stay in hotels and move about into different parts of the city.

 

One thing I find in Asian countries (even the expensive ones) is that theres always something that they havent risen the price up for Westerners. E.g. in Taipei I got the most amazing haircuts, in what I would describe a "spa", for $30.
In US or UK probably run $150 - $200.

 

I have a lot to learn about this place, I know!

[bendejo]

You will probably meet the girl of your dreams in Bkk.  She will tell you everything you want to hear.  She will tell you of her present challenges, like a sick mother or sick  water buffalo, and the only way to solve these problems is $$$ which she will ask you for.  The relationship will last as long as you keep the cash coming.  Yes, this is a cliche, but it happens every day.  And there's a load of books out there written about this, some written by the punter himself.  I tried reading one once but gave up after a few chapters.  Oh, and these dramas are not limited to girls who work in the sex industry. 

 

Or am I just responding to a troll?

 

[Kevin_Beethoven]

On 2/1/2025 at 12:52 PM, bendejo said:

You will probably meet the girl of your dreams in Bkk.  She will tell you everything you want to hear.  She will tell you of her present challenges, like a sick mother or sick  water buffalo, and the only way to solve these problems is $$$ which she will ask you for.  The relationship will last as long as you keep the cash coming.  Yes, this is a cliche, but it happens every day.  And there's a load of books out there written about this, some written by the punter himself.  I tried reading one once but gave up after a few chapters.  Oh, and these dramas are not limited to girls who work in the sex industry. 

 

Or am I just responding to a troll?

 

Not, I don't think I am a troll.
A naïve bloke when it comes to BKK, but less so each day as I read more here. 😅
Thank you for the input!

[3NUMBAS]

Guys who subsidies buffaloes are all deceased nowadays 

[Harrisfan]

On 2/2/2025 at 12:52 AM, bendejo said:

You will probably meet the girl of your dreams in Bkk.  She will tell you everything you want to hear.  She will tell you of her present challenges, like a sick mother or sick  water buffalo, and the only way to solve these problems is $$$ which she will ask you for.  The relationship will last as long as you keep the cash coming.  Yes, this is a cliche, but it happens every day.  And there's a load of books out there written about this, some written by the punter himself.  I tried reading one once but gave up after a few chapters.  Oh, and these dramas are not limited to girls who work in the sex industry. 

 

Or am I just responding to a troll?

 

Meeting needy bargirls is what guys dream of? 

[Middle Aged Grouch]

Bangkok is far cheaper and better services compared to Hua Hin or Phuket that are overpriced, overcharging for everything and the falang really feels treated like a cash cow and nothing else. So Bangkok is far better a place, if it was not for the highly polluted air of that part of Thailand and the hazardous air pollution of Bangkok and the trafic mess.

[KhunLA]

9 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Bangkok is far cheaper and better services compared to Hua Hin or Phuket that are overpriced, overcharging for everything and the falang really feels treated like a cash cow and nothing else. So Bangkok is far better a place, if it was not for the highly polluted air of that part of Thailand and the hazardous air pollution of Bangkok and the trafic mess.

To be expected as both Hua Hin & Phuket are major tourist destination, with beaches.

 

All three, have good & reasonable pricing for services & offerings, for those that seek them out.   Or, simply pay what is charged at higher cost venues.

 

Being thrifty isn't rocket science.  Though some, many, prefer convenience and can't be bothered on saving a few baht.

[Harrisfan]

19 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

Bangkok is far cheaper and better services compared to Hua Hin or Phuket that are overpriced, overcharging for everything and the falang really feels treated like a cash cow and nothing else. So Bangkok is far better a place, if it was not for the highly polluted air of that part of Thailand and the hazardous air pollution of Bangkok and the trafic mess.

Hua Hin has nice beaches and cheap condos. Restaurants are more expensive though. Bangkok has heavy pollution 365 days a year and roads are busy. HH has 1 busy road only.