What Kind of City is Bangkok?
Thailand’s Sin City
What first comes to your mind when you think of Bangkok? While imagining Thailand as a whole you may conjure up scenes of crystal clear waters, remote lagoons, and some of the most breathtaking beaches in the entire world. But for those who need to spend a few days in Bangkok before heading out to Thailand’s more picturesque destinations, you may not know exactly what to expect.
Bangkok and Thailand as a whole are well known as being one of the major cities of sin throughout the world. When mentioning the city of Bangkok, friends may react with a sly wink and a nudge. While you are sure to find a massive underbelly in Bangkok with neon-lit clubs and seedy bars, there is so much more to Thailand’s capital that just dark tourism.
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Reinventing Bangkok
It is no secret that in the past decade Thailand has been trying to shake off the negative image that surrounds the country. It is not just Bangkok that is well known for its shady alleys and dodgy bars. Phuket and Pattaya also top the list of cities well known to be frequented by sex tourists. But does this mean that walking down the street in Bangkok is on par with exploring a massive red-light district?
Bangkok is a sprawling historic capital, with a totally different culture and atmosphere on every city block. While you can find strip-clubs and risque bars, they are usually confined to the isolated back alleys of Bangkok. In the downtown area the glistening skyscrapers, mega-malls, street food, night markets, and art scene overshadows anything that happens in the dark recesses of the city.
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A City of Rivers
Knowing that you don’t want to spend time in Bangkok’s underworld is the first step towards discovering all of the beauty and life which is often overlooked. If you manage to escape the towering concrete walls that trap tourists like rats in its shopping malls and markets, you will find that the city is built on an intricate network of rivers.
From the floating markets to riverboat rides around the city, the entire city of Bangkok was founded due to its proximity to the Chao Phraya River. Along its banks, you will find colossal temples, shimmering golden stupas, and a history stretching back all the way to King Rama.
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The Grand Palace In Riverside
Somewhere in between the sleazy bars and over-tourism, lays the true soul of Bangkok. But for many, they will never find it. Along the river of kings, lays the blinding golden rooves and imposing white walls of the Royal Palace. What may begin as a trip with high hopes will come crashing down as you start to elbow your way through the hoards of people cramming their way into the palace.
On the other side of the spectrum, Thailand is a country which sees tourist from all around the world descending on its temples and palaces to try and get a taste of serenity and culture. But the sad irony is that when thousands of people are breaking down the doors, clambering for peace and tranquility, they destroy the very thing they were hoping to find.
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Just A Backdrop
On one side you have the tourists who are on a spiritual retreat, but on the other, you will find a group of people traveling for their own selfish desires. While everyone likes a nice shot of themselves in front of the golden stupas and palace gates, some people travel to Bangkok for nothing more than to show people back home where they are.
With selfie sticks in hand, they can be seen waving this rod in the faces of other tourists as they are making juvenile faces under the watchful eyes of Buddha. While there is no guidebook telling you how to travel, and everyone finds their own enjoyment while exploring a new city. One has to wonder if it is for the right reasons.
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The People of Bangkok
From being both a metropolitan city and a shanty town, Bangkok is much like the rest of the world in the fact that it has a large gap between the rich and the poor. Not far from the highrise luxury apartments, you will find a neighborhood of people who are one wrong move away from living on the streets. Despite this, Thailand still maintains its reputation as the Land of Smiles.
Like any capitalist country, the smile may come for a price. When exploring Riverside, some people may demand payment for stepping on to their wharf to take in some different angles of the Wats and palaces. While people looking to make a quick dime can be found on nearly every corner of the planet, it is sad to see such a serene place turn into nothing more than a tourist trap.
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What Are You In Bangkok For?
Bangkok is a city where you will see what you want to see. If you are out searching for dive bars, loose women, and low brow amusements, you will find it in abundance. On the other hand, if you are looking to play tourist and check all of the most iconic temples off of your list, your trip will be full of crowds and tacky souvenir shops.
There is so much more to Bangkok than what meets the eye but unfortunately, the nightlife and tourist traps act like black holes, sucking many travelers into its folds. This vibrant city also has a booming art scene, slews of hidden temples, and an authentic culture that is just as rich in the ornate palaces as it is in the back alleys.
A few days or even a week is not enough to do Bangkok justice. While the Trip Advisor approved temples and seedy bars will leave you disappointed, you will have to spend a little more time off of the beaten path to discover the real heart of Bangkok.
