Bush - Lonely Planet Bangkok

Same same, but different. This Thailish T-shirt philosophy sums up Bangkok, a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavours on a plate of pt tai.

Until youve eaten on a Bangkok street, your noodles mingling with your sweat amid a cloud of exhaust fumes, you havent actually eaten Thai food. It can be an overwhelming mix: the underlying flavours spicy, sour, sweet and salty arent exactly meat and potatoes. But for adventurous foodies who dont need white tablecloths, theres probably no better dining destination in the world. And with immigration bringing every regional Thai and international cuisine to the capital, its also a truly diverse experience.

The language barrier may seem huge, but its never prevented anybody from loving the Thai people. The capitals cultural underpinnings are evident in virtually all facets of everyday life, and most enjoyably through its residents sense of snk (fun). In Bangkok, anything worth doing should have an element of snk. Ordering food, changing money and haggling at markets will usually involve a sense of playfulness a dash of flirtation, perhaps, and a smile. Its a language that doesnt require words, and one thats easy to learn.

With so much of life conducted on the street, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as handsomely as Bangkok. Cap off an extended boat trip with a visit to a hidden market. A stroll off Banglamphus beaten track can wind up in a conversation with a monk. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Chinatown and stumble upon a live Chinese opera performance. After dark, let the BTS (Skytrain) escort you to Sukhumvit, where the local nightlife scene reveals a sophisticated and dynamic city.

Its the contradictions that give the City of Angels its rich, multifaceted personality. Here climate-controlled megamalls sit beside 200-year-old village homes; gold-spired Buddhist temples share space with neon-lit strips of sleaze; slow-moving rivers of traffic are bypassed by long-tail boats plying the royal river; and streets lined with food carts are overlooked by restaurants on top of skyscrapers serving exotic cocktails. As Bangkok races towards the future, these contrasts will never stop supplying the city with its never-ending Thai-ness.

Traditional dancer at Erawan Shrine ()
KIMBERLEY COOLE / GETTY IMAGES

Why I Love Bangkok

By Austin Bush, Author

Admittedly, there are some things the hot weather, the pollution, the political instability that make Bangkok a less-than-ideal city. But theres so much more that makes it amazing. I love the food. What other city has such a full-flavoured, no-holds-barred, insatiable, fanatical approach to eating? I love old Bangkok. Districts such as Banglamphu and Chinatown still carry the grit and character of the city that used to be. And Id be lying if I didnt also say that I love new Bangkok dont we all have a soft spot for megamalls and air-con?

See for much more.

Bangkoks Top 10

STREET EATS IN CHINATOWN ()
FROEMEL KAPITZA / GETTY IMAGES

Bangkoks reputation as a polluted city belies its forte as an outdoor-dining capital. Despite the modern conveniences of air-conditioning and contemporary cafes, some of the most memorable meals in the city also called the Big Mango are had at the open-air markets and food stalls. Forget about three square meals: in Bangkok, locals snack throughout the day, packing away at least four meals before sunset. It would be rude not to join them.