Austin Bush - Lonely Planet Bangkok

Same same, but different. This Thailish T-shirt philosophy sums up Bangkok, where many tastes make an often-spicy dish.

Until youve eaten on a Bangkok street, your noodles mingling with your sweat, and your senses dulled by chilli, exhaust and noise, you havent actually eaten real Thai food. It can be an overwhelming mix: the underlying flavours spicy, sour, sweet and salty arent exactly meat and potatoes. But for those who love full-on cuisine and 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 it has 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 end in conversation with a monk. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Chinatown and come face to face with a live Chinese opera performance. After dark, let the BTS (Skytrain) escort you to Th 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. Scratch the surface and youll find a city of climate-controlled megamalls and international brand names just minutes from 200-year-old village homes; gold-spired Buddhist temples sharing space with neon-lit strips of sleaze; slow-moving rivers of traffic bypassed by long-tail boats plying the royal river; and streets lined with food carts, overlooked by restaurants at the top of skyscrapers. As Bangkok races toward the future, rest assured that these contrasts will continue to supply the city with its never-ending Thai-ness.

Traditional Thai dancers at Wat Arun ()
HUGH SITTON / CORBIS

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?

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Bangkoks Top 10

Open-Air Dining ( )

Bangkoks reputation as a polluted city belies its forte as an outdoor-dining capital. Despite the modern conveniences of air-conditioning and fashion 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 that make it possible to nibble the day away. Forget about three square meals: in Bangkok, locals snack throughout the day, packing away at least four meals before sunset - and so should you.

Eating

RAY LASKOWITZ / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Jim Thompsons House ( )

American entrepreneur Jim Thompson used his traditional Thai-style home as a repository for ageing Thai traditions and artwork. Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1967, but today his former home is a museum one that visitors secretly wishes to live in for a day or more. Why? The rooms are adorned with his exquisite art collection and personal possessions, including rare Chinese porcelain pieces and Burmese, Cambodian and Thai artefacts, and the garden is a miniature jungle of tropical plants and lotus ponds, converging in the epitome of the Thai house.

Siam Square, Pratunam, Ploenchit & Ratchathewi

KIMBERLEY COOLE / LONELY PLANET IMAGES

Chatuchak Weekend Market ()

In a city obsessed with commerce, Chatuchak Weekend Market takes the prize as Bangkoks biggest and baddest market. Silks, sneakers, fighting cocks and fighting fish, fluffy puppies and souvenirs for the insatiable farang (Westerner) if it can be sold in Thailand, youll find it here. From everyday to clubby, clothes dominate much of the market, but this being Thailand, food and drink also have a strong and refreshing presence, making Chatuchak as much about entertainment as it is about shopping.

Greater Bangkok

PORTRAITS OF ROYALTY AT CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
KRZYSZTOF DYDYNSKI / LONELY PLANET IMAGES