Picture courtesy of The Standard.

 

Bangkok has been named Asia’s most popular city in 2025, topping the list of destinations travellers most wish to return to, according to global travel platform Agoda.

 

Deputy Government Spokesperson Sasikan Watthanachan announced on 9 August that the Thai capital received the highest number of votes from visitors eager for a repeat visit.

 

Four other Thai destinations, Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai, also ranked among the top cities travellers plan to revisit, underscoring Thailand’s broad appeal and diverse attractions.

 

According to the Deputy Spokesperson, Bangkok’s success stems from a blend of factors: its vibrant city life, distinctive culinary scene, world-renowned cultural landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, convenient transport options and the warm hospitality of its people.

 

The city also retains a ‘Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions’ travel advisory rating, meaning visitors are advised to exercise standard safety awareness when travelling.

 

This recognition reinforces Bangkok’s reputation as a dynamic hub that combines modernity, tradition and a welcoming atmosphere, continuing to draw visitors from across the globe.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from The Standard 2025-08-10

 

 

 

 

So they just plan to return?Not coming yet!

 

And look at the air pollution in the background!

CM last month

one has to wonder how much did TAT paid for such rating

If you try to look at it objectively, from a tourist's perspective, I can see Bangkok easily in the top 3 (at least) of all Asian cities, and I've been to most of the big Asian cities. While it's more expensive than it used to be, Bangkok is still a very cool place. The shopping centres, the skytrain, the MRT, the river taxis, it's easy to get around. The temples/wats are good and relatively easy to get there. The food is great and has every type of cuisine (including Japanese, Korean, Western). Young people like the nightlife. The accommodation is good, particularly at the higher end (something that the latter, in many cities, would be highly unaffordable). So while this might be a fake, it is a believable fake in my view. 

 

Which cities would rival it? Tokyo? Kyoto, Osaka? Good places, good food, some great sites. But poor English-language skills and lack of bilingual signage (almost everywhere) is a hindrance/annoyance. Hanoi or HCMC? Again, Vietnam as a country is great - but neither city has what Bangkok offers (HCMC is closest I guess). Singapore is expensive and to be honest not really much to see there. Sentosa theme park. Yawn. Seoul? Nope. Again English is a big issue there. Shanghai would be in my top 3. Hong Kong is ok for a couple of days. 

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

If you try to look at it objectively, from a tourist's perspective, I can see Bangkok easily in the top 3 (at least) of all Asian cities, and I've been to most of the big Asian cities. While it's more expensive than it used to be, Bangkok is still a very cool place. The shopping centres, the skytrain, the MRT, the river taxis, it's easy to get around. The temples/wats are good and relatively easy to get there. The food is great and has every type of cuisine (including Japanese, Korean, Western). Young people like the nightlife. The accommodation is good, particularly at the higher end (something that the latter, in many cities, would be highly unaffordable). So while this might be a fake, it is a believable fake in my view. 

 

Which cities would rival it? Tokyo? Kyoto, Osaka? Good places, good food, some great sites. But poor English-language skills and lack of bilingual signage (almost everywhere) is a hindrance/annoyance. Hanoi or HCMC? Again, Vietnam as a country is great - but neither city has what Bangkok offers (HCMC is closest I guess). Singapore is expensive and to be honest not really much to see there. Sentosa theme park. Yawn. Seoul? Nope. Again English is a big issue there. Shanghai would be in my top 3. Hong Kong is ok for a couple of days. 

Its also noisy, over

packed, smelly. Not walkable… Food portion small…  And now

 overpriced far from the dream…

 

Seoul and KL its where its at. 

3 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Hanoi or HCMC? Again, Vietnam as a country is great - but neither city has what Bangkok offers (HCMC is closest I guess)

I agree with your assessment. But I do believe Sai Gon ( HCMC) will surpass BKK in a decade with all the things you stated that makes BKK such an amazing city. Sai Gon is transforming at a break neck pace with a modern and high tech airport coming soon, the newly open sky train is planning to expand the entire city, and infrastructure will only get better.

Lastly, both major cities in VN are attracting tourists, mostly the quality kind, without the allure of an established sex industry. 

11 hours ago, BayArea said:

Lastly, both major cities in VN are attracting tourists, mostly the quality kind, without the allure of an established sex industry. 

Agree. Been to both many times for work. I really like VN. Da Nang, in the middle, is a great place to start as a tourist though. Easy and fast to get to from Bangkok (they all are of course), but Da Nang has a great long beach stretching down towards Hoi An. Da Nang could use some more infrastructure and services/restaurants but it's a really nice place to base (beach side). I only wish VN would expand its visa waiver. Minor thing though - not hard to get.

45 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Agree. Been to both many times for work. I really like VN. Da Nang, in the middle, is a great place to start as a tourist though. Easy and fast to get to from Bangkok (they all are of course), but Da Nang has a great long beach stretching down towards Hoi An. Da Nang could use some more infrastructure and services/restaurants but it's a really nice place to base (beach side). I only wish VN would expand its visa waiver. Minor thing though - not hard to get.

Agree. I think as tourism continues to grow, the government will understand the importance of longer visa stay. 

17 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

And look at the air pollution in the background!

 

The desire for sex with younger people numbs them to the reality.

On 8/11/2025 at 6:07 PM, ronnie50 said:

Which cities would rival it? Tokyo? Kyoto, Osaka? Good places, good food, some great sites. But poor English-language skills and lack of bilingual signage (almost everywhere) is a hindrance/annoyance. Hanoi or HCMC? Again, Vietnam as a country is great - but neither city has what Bangkok offers (HCMC is closest I guess). Singapore is expensive and to be honest not really much to see there. Sentosa theme park. Yawn. Seoul? Nope. Again English is a big issue there. Shanghai would be in my top 3. Hong Kong is ok for a couple of days. 

 

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