Bangkok For Your Average Tourist Must Be Hell.

[Ajaan]

I LOVE Bangkok. I lived there for six years, in a variety of neighborhoods (Silom, Ratchada 1, On Nut, Victory Monument), and now when I visit Thailand three times a year, I spend almost all my time in Bangkok.

I'm a big-city person anyway, and Bangkok is my favorite big city (so far!) in the world. The transportation's getting better, the shopping is quite good--both for Western stuff and off-beat Thai stuff, if you know where to look--there are nightclubs, bars, restaurants of many world cuisines, cafes, bookstores...and it can be a great walking city if you're in the right area at the right time (for me, either out drinking at 3 or 4 am, or on nights I didn't go out, waking up at 5 am and walking in one of the parks, sitting on the street eating Jok and watching the city wake up...

For me it's a great combination of vibrant city and village-like neighborhoods scattered everywhere, and I love the diversity of people: Central Thais, Khmers and Laos from the Northeast of Thailand, Indians, even (sometimes) the Farangs, haha.

[Ajaan]

Cuisines which are particularly well-represented in Bangkok (besides Thai, of course) are Middle Eastern and Indian, Japanese, and, increasingly, Italian. And Bangkok is hands-down the best city in the world for Lao food, way more diverse and plentiful than anywhere in Laos.

[DP25]

Most tourists are going to be staying around Nana and Asoke areas which for the most part are absolute dumps.

Nana/Asoke area is a dump, but I think you are completely wrong in thinking that most tourists stay there. I think only a small percent stay in that area. Most stay along the river, Khao San Area, Silom, upper Suhkumvit, MBK area, Pratunam, etc. I think the ones that do stay in lower Suhkumvit on accident are probably in for a big shock, and probably come away hating the city.

[Loptr]

The op is spot on; covered nicely here:

http://notthenation.com/2013/06/tourist-family-safely-returned-to-thailand-after-harrowing-night-on-soi-3/

I remember the assault on my senses the first time I took a stroll through Soi Arab, then down Soi 4 and finally up Sukhumvit toward Soi 19. It was a mixture of astonishment and disbelief at the cacophony of humanity all sharing the same space. Ladyboys, bar girls, Arabs with their wives in tow wearing burkas, Indian tailors, Thai touts, human flotsam from every corner of the globe, the aroma of fresh urine mixed with raw sewage, sex toys and porn on sale, street bars and women of negotiable virtue on every corner. If there were ever a place that could be considered the gates of hell, this is it. The Not-the-Nation article in your link sums it up quite nicely.

[TheSpade]

Most stay along the river, Khao San Area, Silom, upper Suhkumvit, MBK area, Pratunam, etc

Silom is on the same lines of Nana and Asoke. Touts and hookers and people annoying you everywhere. Kowsan isn't much different either.

Most of the main tourist areas are hell holes.

[Suradit69]

Average tourist. Stays in airconditioned hotel room. Picked up from door by taxi. Taken with or without tour guide to set atractions or those from book.......ie Royal Palace, War Arun. Eats in hotel restaurants with occassional daring escapes to street stall areas.

Have known several American tourists who have visited Bangkok at different times and enjoyed it.

I came across this American couple with their 2 young kids and they look like they were seriously struggling with BKK and I can understand why.

They were probably seriously struggling with two young children.

"In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children."

Robert Benchley

[poooket]

Most stay along the river, Khao San Area, Silom, upper Suhkumvit, MBK area, Pratunam, etc

Silom is on the same lines of Nana and Asoke. Touts and hookers and people annoying you everywhere. Kowsan isn't much different either.

Most of the main tourist areas are hell holes.

I think you try to describe your view of bkk, MOST tourist do not stay around Nana. Lots of tourists stay at the hotels along the river and i dont think they will ever experience nana or the likes you describe unless they look for it. Backpackers stays around kao san and also very unlikely they will ever visit nana or sukhimvit. If you come here as a tourist there is so many things to do in bkk so thinking that everyone gonna end up in nana or silom is a bit narrow minded.

[pmarlin]

As we all know BKK was recently listed as being the worlds most visited city. See here.

I live in BKK and I love it (most of the time) but I honestly see little appeal for your average tourist here.

Most tourists are going to be staying around Nana and Asoke areas which for the most part are absolute dumps.

The streets are filthy, rubbish everywhere, can't walk down the pavement because they are lined with food carts, stalls, mobile bars, tuk tuk and taxi drivers touting for business, people begging mostly kids, lady boys hanging around in packs grabbing at you as you walk past, hookers bellowing "heeello weeelcuuum" at everyone.

It's not a very appealing sight and probably quite intimidating / overwhelming for a lot of people.

I came across this American couple with their 2 young kids and they look like they were seriously struggling with BKK and I can understand why.

I really do think BKK must be hell for your average tourist.

Do you agree or disagree?

you forget about the speeding motor bikes on the walk ways.

[granuaile]

I visited Thailand four times as a tourist, and last time I went home and took early retirement. The first time I came here I stayed on Charansanitwong in Bangplad and felt like it was home,... next two times near Khaosan Road, and that was OK, too touristy but OK, and fourth time a Thai friend invited me to share her room off Ngamwongwong, that resolved it for me... I do prefer the non-tourist/non-expat areas (Bangplad, Ladphrao Rd., Minburi), but depending what you want to do, everywhere is OK, many historical sites to visit, with a little knowledge you can get a lot of places on the MRT, BTS, and buses,... buy cheap tours on Khaosan Rd... I think Thailand offers a lot if a person does a little preparation...

[manhattan55]

Most tourists are going to be staying around Nana and Asoke areas which for the most part are absolute dumps.

What makes you think that most tourists would stay there?

[somtampet]

Most stay along the river, Khao San Area, Silom, upper Suhkumvit, MBK area, Pratunam, etc

Silom is on the same lines of Nana and Asoke. Touts and hookers and people annoying you everywhere. Kowsan isn't much different either.

Most of the main tourist areas are hell holes.

I think you try to describe your view of bkk, MOST tourist do not stay around Nana. Lots of tourists stay at the hotels along the river and i dont think they will ever experience nana or the likes you describe unless they look for it. Backpackers stays around kao san and also very unlikely they will ever visit nana or sukhimvit. If you come here as a tourist there is so many things to do in bkk so thinking that everyone gonna end up in nana or silom is a bit narrow minded.

Same as Pattaya,stay away from the walking st dump,and there are loads of things to do and see,without even haviuing a drink in a brothel,not forgetting the much better air than Bangkok.

[TheSpade]

I think you try to describe your view of bkk, MOST tourist do not stay around Nana. Lots of tourists stay at the hotels along the river and i dont think they will ever experience nana or the likes you describe unless they look for it. Backpackers stays around kao san and also very unlikely they will ever visit nana or sukhimvit. If you come here as a tourist there is so many things to do in bkk so thinking that everyone gonna end up in nana or silom is a bit narrow minded.

What makes you think that most tourists would stay there?

I live in BKK and I love living here because I know there's so much away from the shitty tourist areas. Nana, Asoke, Silom are some of the main tourist areas so a lot of tourists WILL see these areas. Kowsan is basically the same as the afore mentioned areas just with less sex tourism...though still plenty of street ladyboys hanging around harassing you.

Sure not all tourist stay in those areas. Some by the river, some in other areas on the skytrain line and probably many other places but the fact remains that most of the main areas aimed at tourists are really horrible areas.

I don't think anyone can dispute that vast areas of Nana, Asoke, Silom and Kowsan are dumps...can they?

[DP25]

Khao San and silom are not remotely comparable to Nana/Asoke. No, I don't think they are dumps at all. I know lots of people that stay in those areas and have a good time. There is a lot of stuff to do and see. I have no problem having a friend stay in one of those locations, but I always steer them well away from Nana. Even if they plan on going to the gogo bars there it is a bad place to stay.

[Thai at Heart]

Pattaya is also not my thing I actually consider Pattaya more of a dump than BKK. I hated everything about Pattaya from the dirty beaches, to the annoying sleazy tourists to the terrible nightlife and the sex tourism scene. Not my cup of tea at all. Each to their own I guess.

Disagree. I go to BKK about once a month and love it.

Sure I live here and I love it too. Plus before I lived here I loved it as well BUT I think the average tourist who wants everything nice and sanitized, orderly, to work as its supposed to work....wouldn't surely like Bangkok. The areas the tourists are mostly staying at could do with a serious clean up, A lot of Asoke and Nana are so dirty, dark, dingy , dodgy and more.

I mean African drug dealers lining the streets, ladyboys and hookers everywhere, rubbish bags dumped eveerywhere (if they bothered to put the rubbish in a bag), poor quality street lights, constantly tripping over broken pavements that's when you can walk on the pavement because usually there's no room due to all the street vendors and other shit clogging it up, then the traffic problems.

I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me much plus I don't venture out into these areas that often but I honestly can't see how your average tourists...I'm thinking a middle aged couple for example....could enjoy this.

Maybe I'm wrong.

I mean if it's the number 1 visited city they must be doing something right

I could imagine a lot of tourists finding the chaos of the place rather intoxicating and exciting. That's why they don't spend 2 weeks there. 2 3 days and off. Also, most are led around the place with assistance.

So could be fun I suppose. Living and working there, horrendous.

[RAZZELL]

As a tourist when I was nobut a lad I was thrilled by Bangkok. I'd be back in my small hometown back in the UK and Bangkok seemed like a dream to me. I'd literally count the minutes till I was back again.

When I got sent here by work, I couldn't sleep for a month I was that thrilled, yet after a few weeks of being in Din Daeng and battling the traffic, pollution and general chaos daily the novelty soon wore off.

When we were dispatched upcountry after 7 months in Bangkok it was heaven. However, once we'd settled in our small town in central Thailand, after a month or so the need for the comforts of the big city would haunt us.

The secret to loving Bangkok lies in not living in Bangkok but out in the suburbs with a nice easy link into the maelstrom.

As soon as I get in a cab heading into town I get the same buzz I've always had about Bangkok yet I've lived pretty much as The Spade has, right in the thick of it and it was murder though I love the place with a passion.

Just why anyone would choose to live in right in town amid all that chaos is beyond me...but I was a younger man once and such things didn't bother me so much.

Here in the suburb I live in, I can walk down pavements (ish), I have a shedload of choices for having a few ales or a good scoff and indeed a good perve. Its green, leafy with loads of nice walking. People here call me by my name (most of the time) and they have time to sit and shoot the breeze over a beer or two. More importantly the air is good (if I've laid off the Guinness) and it's a pleasant place to live in.

If I feel the need to pop into town then I can be on the Airport link in 5 minutes or can be in lower Suk in 25 minutes in a cab for less than 300B (inc Expressway).

Sounds great

Where do you live in Bangkok now?

RAZZ

[nanoth]

There is no problem!If you like Bangkok-as I do-please,be welcome!

If you do not like Bangkok,please go to....where??? if you find better!

all my friends "love" Bangkok where you can find :freedom and choice!

Edited August 3, 2013 by metisdead
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[julemanden]

All relative. I live in Siem Reap and BKK is the big city for me. It has everything I need: book store, cinema, malls, wide choice of food.

Sure beats the sexpat haven of Pattaya. Now there is a town I hate. I dread next week when I have to spend 4 days there....

Why not just stay away then ?

[BahBahBoBo]

Why do u have to spend 4 days here,and why do u think everyone is a sexpat.Plenty to do in Patts for 4 days mate without even seeing a barfine

All relative. I live in Siem Reap and BKK is the big city for me. It has everything I need: book store, cinema, malls, wide choice of food.

Sure beats the sexpat haven of Pattaya. Now there is a town I hate. I dread next week when I have to spend 4 days there....

Just kidding. I am going for the Culinary competition but I really do not like Pattaya. Beach is awful and the place is overrun with tourists, most of them not exactly classy.

Are u classy????

Do u know how many nice beaches are within 30 mins of Pattaya beach rd?????

Pattaya is a tourist place,including many Bangkok thais coming every weekend,thats part of the attraction.All my mates are great guys,some retired,some in business,some very wealthy some like cheaper beer,great to be different.

hey! there's no class like low-class!

hahahaha, I'm born again,

Every morning I'm a born-again virgin

'Don't wait up for the Shrimp Boat baby... I'm coming home with the crabs!'

[Mousehound]

I agree with granuaile that preparation makes a huge difference. We were reluctant visitors to BKK (and Thailand) being convinced that Europe and the USA were the only real places that offered what we liked. However, having been to BKK once we changed our minds totally. We had a great time and have visited Phuket Island (not patong) , Krabi, Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai several times now. We usually aim to spend a few days in BKK if we can. The place has so much energy and there is a lot to do and see. We do try to get off the normal T track to some degree: take busses and trains, go fishing and bird watching as well as doing a lot of photography. We do now stay at a nice Khao San guesthouse as we can afford this, know the owners and it is convenient. I have spent some time learning to speak and read Thai and although I am far from fluent it does make a great deal of difference. Outside of BKK we rent a car but I have to say I am not up to driving in BKK. Each trip we try to strike out a bit further - last time to Phanom Rung and Phemai and our next trip will include a second visit to Kao Yai NP. So we are not tied totally to a BKK experience. Can't wait to get back. This time I am determined to try out the bicycle tours. This would be our first paid and organised tour. I had the collectors markets next to Chatuchak down as a must do but see that this is now closed.

Edited August 3, 2013 by metisdead
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[Dararasmi]

I'm guessing the average Bangkok visitor goes there to "party", get laid, and/or go shopping. No place better than Bangkok for all that. (And if they have the desire, they can see some templezzz...)

[zaZa9]

It obviously cant be that bad or it wouldnt bethe most visited city.

A number of my friends come yearly , and never miss a few days in Bkk.

They stay around Thanon Athit in Banglampu and describe Bkk as vibrant.

[tribalfusion001]

I think Bangkok is fantastic city to live in. I spent 9 months living in Ratchada soi 3 in 2011 and 4 months living in Ratchada soi 3 in 2012, plus a holiday this year for 2 weeks living in the same soi and the same apartment. I plan to relocate back to Bangkok at the end of this year or possibly May 2014 when my wifes UK visa runs out. Bangkok has everything I need, apartments to rent are so much more affordable than here in the UK, cheap transport like the MRT and BTS, the taxis are cheap too, I can eat out cheaply, although western food is about the same as in the UK, beer is slightly cheaper, there loads of good clubs, bars and also naughty nightlife to enjoy, cigarettes are cheap, plenty of malls for shopping, it's a lot safer to walk around at night compared to London.

For me Bangkok has a vibe about it, a more relaxed vibe than London, London this days if you step outside the tourist places has dark nasty side to it, full of wannabe gangster kids and not a pleasant place to be.

In Bangkok some of the pavements are not maintained well, but I notice here where I live in Essex the same thing, the UK is going downhill fast, it's expensive to travel on trains, the taxis are complete rip offs, eating out is too expensive, forget renting or buying on a low salary.

[mjsansai]

Bangkok is a cesspool, it's Philadelphia without the crime and graffiti, lived there for 8 years and moved up to Chiang Mai, lived here for 29 years. I was stationed here during the 60's in the USAF,that's when Bangkok and Singapore had charm to them. No much charm left in this country except for those provincial treks into the hinterland. "All things considered, I 'd rather be in Philadelphia"

[harrismac]

As far as being an average tourist who has travelled the world over, just seeing somewhere new is a thrill in itself. Most probably don't know any better and do not notice the bad as much as a native or permanent resident does. Those who have been all over Thailand before will definitely see the difference. Like I've stated before, I plan to leave the US by year's end and take up residency in Chiang Mai. I have a lot of family there, and will visit the US from time to time to see other family and friends, as I was raised here and never lived anywhere else. Being born in Lampang and only living there the first four months of my life, having a living Thai mother in Chiang Mai, I found out getting citizenship/residency won't be a big issue for me. I am going to utilize that because America isn't looking too great right now, and I have monthly income to support myself for the rest of my life if need be in the LOS. Never ever thought I would be saying this, but it is so. And heck, it's also great that my uncles and cousins are considered "well to do" and make great money in Thai standards and have pretty high ranking government jobs (a general, two judges, and a police chief), and they are welcoming me with open arms. Not trying to come across as bragging, AT ALL, but I am going to take advantage of this. My American father, now deceased, used to tell me how much he loved Thailand. He married my Mom there and used to visit frequently with my Mom. Now that I am older and visited the country over myself, I can tell you the last place I'd live is Bangkok. Nice to visit if you know where to go and what to see, but there are so many much nicer places to reside. First or second time tourists may not know, but don't use Bangkok as a representation of what Thailand is all about. It has it's high points, but man the negative aspects of it can tarnish whatever good people see in that city. Ex-pats and tourists should stick to Northern Thailand or the beaches if they want to be at their safest and overall most enjoyable environments.

[bluemoon58]

I don't really put many posts on here or even comment on posts but I've read this thread with interest. I think some people are missing the point. The operative word running throughout is "TOURISM". I would hazard a guess that the majority of people putting their comments on here (including me) are resident in Thailand. We all have differing views on BKK (quite rightly so) and personally I breathe a sigh of relief when I leave to go home to Hua Hin. A tourist may be visiting (for whatever reason) because they have never been before. That's what tourism is all about so I think our opinions are pretty much invalid. We don't live or go to BKK for tourism.

[ALFREDO]

As we all know BKK was recently listed as being the worlds most visited city. See here.

I live in BKK and I love it (most of the time) but I honestly see little appeal for your average tourist here.

Most tourists are going to be staying around Nana and Asoke areas which for the most part are absolute dumps.

The streets are filthy, rubbish everywhere, can't walk down the pavement because they are lined with food carts, stalls, mobile bars, tuk tuk and taxi drivers touting for business, people begging mostly kids, lady boys hanging around in packs grabbing at you as you walk past, hookers bellowing "heeello weeelcuuum" at everyone.

It's not a very appealing sight and probably quite intimidating / overwhelming for a lot of people.

I came across this American couple with their 2 young kids and they look like they were seriously struggling with BKK and I can understand why.

I really do think BKK must be hell for your average tourist.

Do you agree or disagree?

Disagree. I go to BKK about once a month and love it.

Second that !

[dao16]

My parents came a few years ago and we stayed near Saphan Taksin in the south of the city. We were just near the Praya, so we would walk and get the river taxis.....very cheap, and much more interesting and relaxing for the parents (small town people in their 60s). They hated the street traffic and taxis, but loved going to all the sites on the river. 3 days was plenty for them, but I think they liked all the temples. And yeah, we stayed in a decent hotel (but just over 1000 baht, so nothing crazy) and ate in very nice restaurants along the river down there. The most memorable one was so nice, you could have easily been in a riverfront restaurant in any city in Europe or North America.

So, I bet a lot of tourists experience BKK that way--they don't live like the locals do or even the expats do. They have money to burn and spend it on "Holiday BKK" and not on the day-to-day BKK.

[TheSpade]

I don't really put many posts on here or even comment on posts but I've read this thread with interest. I think some people are missing the point. The operative word running throughout is "TOURISM". I would hazard a guess that the majority of people putting their comments on here (including me) are resident in Thailand. We all have differing views on BKK (quite rightly so) and personally I breathe a sigh of relief when I leave to go home to Hua Hin. A tourist may be visiting (for whatever reason) because they have never been before. That's what tourism is all about so I think our opinions are pretty much invalid. We don't live or go to BKK for tourism.

I was just thinking the same thing. Surely most people on this board are expats living in Thailand so the odd visit to BKK can't really be considered tourism IMO.

[marell]

Bangkok is a cesspool, it's Philadelphia without the crime and graffiti, lived there for 8 years and moved up to Chiang Mai, lived here for 29 years. I was stationed here during the 60's in the USAF,that's when Bangkok and Singapore had charm to them. No much charm left in this country except for those provincial treks into the hinterland. "All things considered, I 'd rather be in Philadelphia"

Been to Philadelphia lately?

[Halion]

Bangkok,Pattaya, Phuket whatever, are all just horses for courses and they all provide certain benefits and have individual niches but the bottom line is they are all Thailand and unless you can come to terms with the dysfunctional and dislocated realities,then they could become a nightmare. Those who live here know how to pick and chose there venues for purpose, however, those who come for a two week vacation are here for a shallow dive in the pool and are both unare and protected from the real issues.

Those who live here become to a degree street wise and balance the pros with the cons, no pun intended.

Bangkok to me is a total mess,a gridlocked cess pit. Metropolitan Bangkok is simply a series of interconnected villages all suffering from the same malaise.