Posted 2010-07-30 19:46:57
 Grey13, on 2010-07-30 13:14:51, said:
My guess is that if someone looked at statistics Bkk is much safer than London or any big city in the U.S. Pollution is part of a big city. The dregs of society live in the big cities all over the world - white collar criminals, drug pushers, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc. I would like someone to begin listing any big city in Europe or the Americas - more than 1 million pop. - that is not polluted from industry & that any safer than the streets of Bkk. Mexico City? L.A.? New York City? Detroit? London? Add some names & we can discuss it. Want to look at pure trash look at the big cities in Africa, Central & South America? Are they safe? Are they not polluted? Is it not dangerous to walk the streets at night? I don't like Bkk mainly b/c of the pollution in the air & the traffic but any big city has the same problems? Think about rat holes like New Delhi, Calcutta or any other city in India? Or the filth in Pakistan? Or the unbearable cold in Moscow or the filth in the cities of China like Shanghai & Beijing or any Asian country for that matter?
There are plenty of world class cities that are liveable and that come out on top. Copenhagen. most of Canada's major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and even Amsterdam. Dublin for all its heartache still does better. Barcelona is another gem. Huffington Post was running a list compiled from Lonely Planet as the happiest places and places like Hidakwa, Japan; and whole regions popped up. It's all about planning and a population's resolve to make the urban center a real community. NYC, London, and Shanghai are basically city states and are in a different league from Bangkok, so perhaps it is unfair to compare them. Size doesn't a city make. Bangkok is in the same league as Delhi, Lahore, Dhaka and Bangkok comes out on top, but look at what it competes against.
Posted 2010-07-30 19:48:01
Well, I have to give "The Nation" credit for an article that does have balance. Or at least more balance than most of the individual people that responded in this thread, most of whom either love it OR hate it.
The survey itself...well, even after reading info on the magazine's website, I can't quite figure out how the survey was done in terms of everything from wording to number of people responding, and so forth. But let's face it, it's not THE answer. It's an answer.
As "The Nation" points out, "The recent survey result by the US-based Travel and Leisure magazine...ignited some debate among locals and long-term residents of Bangkok as to whether the city truly deserves such an accolade." Fair enough, and as the newspaper goes on to point out, "Bangkok is congested, polluted, not safe enough and not liveable enough." But, I can see the positives -- it's temples and the river traffic are exotic, the Skytrain and subway are extremely modern and efficient and make getting around some parts of Bangkok a breeze, the modern shopping malls outpace most malls in the U.S. (well, maybe not since most of Central World is now smoldering rubble), if you like Thai food you're in heaven, there are a wide variety of hotels at reasonable (not ideal) prices, and in many ways it's a fun city.
But as the article points out, there's the pollution. The relentless scam artists one still encounters in many tourist destinations in the city (in fact, the more touristy the area is, the more scam artists there are). After a while, you get used to it, and you avoid it. But it is a disgrace. The last time I encountered it, I had just walked outside from the Grand Palace/Wat Phra Keow -- supposedly the most historic and sacred place in the whole country -- and a scam artist came up to me and started in on his spiel, not realizing at the time I lived in Bangkok. What disturbed me was that a police officer was standing right there, definitely heard the whole scam, and was even laughing about it. In other words, like so many other negatives in Bangkok, scamming is seen as a way of life.
And then there's the sex industry, a large part of which caters to tourists. Bangkok is known world-wide as a sex destination. So, it brings lots of money into the country. But, I don't notice the TAT or the Prime Minister mentioning it. In fact, they literally pretend it doesn't exist. That's the superficiality of the Thais. Another example of which is the selling of illegal software and pornography -- both of which don't happen in Thailand anymore -- unless of course you walk into some place like Pantip Plaza where it is literally and openly shoved in your face -- sometimes while police officers stand right there watching.
Thailand and Bangkok have their charms. There is no question about that. But it has its seamy side, too. I was in love with Bangkok for over 20 years and even lived there for a while. But, with the takeover of the main business district and then the riots and arson of May 19, I fell out of love with it because I finally realized that when it comes right down to it, it's a lawless city. When push comes to shove, no one is really in charge. Not the government (as proven all those weeks when they couldn't end the demonstrations), not the army (because first they have to decide which side of an issue they're favoring), and not the police (who aided and abetted). But as a tourist you don't see that. You see the lovely temples, the friendly smiles, the cheap taxi rides, the nice hotels and shopping areas. Yes, I can understand how Bangkok comes out high on a survey of international tourists...but I no longer agree with that conclusion.
Posted 2010-07-30 19:53:16
I love Bangkok, but then I don't have any mobility issues, squeamishness about less than perfect food hygeine or mind sitting in traffic for hours if the taxi is air conditioned.
Anyone who isn't a bit adventurous or tolerent of poor standards would suffer.
Posted 2010-07-30 19:55:09
tw25rw, on 2010-07-30 19:53:16, said:
I love Bangkok, but then I don't have any mobility issues, squeamishness about less than perfect food hygeine or mind sitting in traffic for hours if the taxi is air conditioned.
Anyone who isn't a bit adventurous or tolerent of poor standards would suffer.
If the standards are poor then I wouldn't rate it as a 'best city'
So anyway, where is this beach that someone mentioned?
Posted 2010-07-30 20:06:38
TheWalkingMan, on 2010-07-30 18:52:57, said:
One thing the, for lack of a better term, pro-Bangkok people seem to bypass in their defense of the city is how it is missing from the lists of best cities in the world to live in. Maybe the TAT promotion motto for Bangkok should be, "Great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here." 
TheWalkingMan
That is why many of us choose to live in the smaller places and just visit Bangkok for a few days at a time. 
Posted 2010-07-30 21:49:09
sam666, on 2010-07-30 18:33:07, said:
maxman71, on 2010-07-30 13:47:33, said:
somtampet, on 2010-07-30 12:15:21, said:
sam666, on 2010-07-30 09:03:25, said:
BKK in my opinion is a shit hole unless your going for a fun dirty but expensive weekend. Everyone will try and rip you off, tuk tuk's espically, it's expensive, it's dirty, it's hot and wet with no sun. List can go on, if I had to stay there for my time in Thailand I wouldn't be coming back.
100% agree with your post.I would rather live in the jungle than that sess pit.Racism,polution,nastiness,wannabe hi-so farangs,proper hi-so thais,who are beyond the law,traffic congestion,major flooding,rat infested,a bad edge about the place in general,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Then pack your bags and head off to the jungle Tarzan. It never ceases to amaze me at the whining by some foreign residents and tourists alike about the quality of life in BKK and Thailand in general. It seems as though folks like you want 1st world infrastructure, protections, service, etc but at 3rd world prices. A bunch of cry-babies. It is NOT expensive here if you have your head about you, a lick or two of common sense and are willing to adapt to a more indigenous lifestyle. I've been living here 5 years and before here, in Taiwan. You either get acclimated to it and find ways to make it acceptable to you, or don't let the door slap you on your behind as you leave. If it is so bad, why are you still here???
I''m not you penis, I live in Hua Hin and love it and yes it has a shitty infrastructure there compared to BKK, so that comment makes no sense? It is expensive, go to a restuarant in bangkok and restuarant here, buy the same meal, BKK will be 2-3x the price, taste no better and the staff will be out for your farang money'. Don't mention the filth, traffic and rest of the stuck up a-holes that live there.
LOLO!!! The best meals I have eaten are at the sidewalk stalls and they don't charge me anymore than local Thais. Maybe that's because I treat them with kindness and respect, I employ local Thais and contribute more to this country than I take. Try THAT attitude instead of referring to people as private body parts and just maybe your whole outlook will change. Otherwise, good luck finding your "Jane" in the jungle and your incessant whining and complaining will come back at you...
Posted 2010-07-30 21:53:48
pattayabuggy, on 2010-07-30 15:07:25, said:
maxman71, on 2010-07-30 13:47:33, said:
somtampet, on 2010-07-30 12:15:21, said:
sam666, on 2010-07-30 09:03:25, said:
BKK in my opinion is a shit hole unless your going for a fun dirty but expensive weekend. Everyone will try and rip you off, tuk tuk's espically, it's expensive, it's dirty, it's hot and wet with no sun. List can go on, if I had to stay there for my time in Thailand I wouldn't be coming back.
100% agree with your post.I would rather live in the jungle than that sess pit.Racism,polution,nastiness,wannabe hi-so farangs,proper hi-so thais,who are beyond the law,traffic congestion,major flooding,rat infested,a bad edge about the place in general,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Then pack your bags and head off to the jungle Tarzan. It never ceases to amaze me at the whining by some foreign residents and tourists alike about the quality of life in BKK and Thailand in general. It seems as though folks like you want 1st world infrastructure, protections, service, etc but at 3rd world prices. A bunch of cry-babies. It is NOT expensive here if you have your head about you, a lick or two of common sense and are willing to adapt to a more indigenous lifestyle. I've been living here 5 years and before here, in Taiwan. You either get acclimated to it and find ways to make it acceptable to you, or don't let the door slap you on your behind as you leave. If it is so bad, why are you still here???
Ahh, it never ceases to amaze me how some people will defend any negative comments about Thailand to the hilt. A statement of fact, not opinion, is that BKK is heavily congested and polluted, full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute.
However I agree, we cannot change it, but a shit hole it remains, and if you want to live there well you had better like living in a shit hole.
It's like someone who lives in the UK defending the English weather and telling everyone how lovely it is, yeah, just a few days a year it is, the rest it's lousy, as there are a few areas of BKK which are nice, but it's not the general picture.
You need to grow a real spine, and some balls to go with it. If you encounter a scam artist, regardless of where they come from, tell them to take a flying leap. You'd be surprised how that can turn around how they treat you. There is no "Mommy Government" here so get used to it or pack your bags and hit the road Jack...
Posted 2010-07-30 21:55:24
Ulysses G., on 2010-07-30 20:06:38, said:
That is why many of us choose to live in the smaller places and just visit Bangkok for a few days at a time.
Indeed. Great metropolitan cities have their place and exceedingly extend a place for stimulation, but are best viewed from a distance....even to use comparatives when judging the great cities, and their respective characters, of the world is quite futile. Rating is a ignorant nation that fodders needless competition. They are what they are.....good, bad, indifferent. One man's passion is another's dread.
Posted 2010-07-30 21:59:22
maxman71, on 2010-07-30 13:47:33, said:
somtampet, on 2010-07-30 12:15:21, said:
sam666, on 2010-07-30 09:03:25, said:
BKK in my opinion is a shit hole unless your going for a fun dirty but expensive weekend. Everyone will try and rip you off, tuk tuk's espically, it's expensive, it's dirty, it's hot and wet with no sun. List can go on, if I had to stay there for my time in Thailand I wouldn't be coming back.
100% agree with your post.I would rather live in the jungle than that sess pit.Racism,polution,nastiness,wannabe hi-so farangs,proper hi-so thais,who are beyond the law,traffic congestion,major flooding,rat infested,a bad edge about the place in general,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Then pack your bags and head off to the jungle Tarzan. It never ceases to amaze me at the whining by some foreign residents and tourists alike about the quality of life in BKK and Thailand in general. It seems as though folks like you want 1st world infrastructure, protections, service, etc but at 3rd world prices. A bunch of cry-babies. It is NOT expensive here if you have your head about you, a lick or two of common sense and are willing to adapt to a more indigenous lifestyle. I've been living here 5 years and before here, in Taiwan. You either get acclimated to it and find ways to make it acceptable to you, or don't let the door slap you on your behind as you leave. If it is so bad, why are you still here???
I agree entirely. People just love Thailand and they adore Bangkok. So do the farang residents who are complaining now. One can only read the posts of anger and desperation for the difficulties in renewing the visa or the elation for having done an easy visa run. They dread the thought of having to leave Thailand. Thailand is magic. The same hotel in London would cost 250 pounds compared to 60 dollars. The food is superb, so is the shopping. Taxis appear at the speed of thought. In the advanced west someone must not get sick on the weekend. Why? simple, no doctors available, hospitals are manned with skeleton crews because in the west free time is (and rightly so ) revered. Take the hospitals in Bangkok, they are always fully staffed and available. Mercifully for us they value money more than leisure time so the medical staff are willing to work on weekends and public holidays. For an elderly person like myself this is important equally so for the rest of the farang whose mean age,I suspect, is middle age plus. The same applies for the market place. People are willing to work 7 days a week. So gentlemen enjoy Thailand as it is now because soon things will change. People will want leisure time and higher pay. For them is only fair, for us the beginning of the end of a wonderful story.
Yes, the poll was correct. Bangkok is a super destination
Posted 2010-07-30 22:01:05
Funny, this story was in a Bangkok-based-English-language-newspaper-we-cannot-name-here some weeks ago.
Is that Travel and Leisure magazine for free or do you even get money with it ?
I live in Patters where you can buy everything you need, so if I can avoid Bangers, I avoid it.
Nice cities you find in Europe and, to a lesser extent, in Latin America.
Open your eyes.
Posted 2010-07-30 22:11:07
Grey13, on 2010-07-30 13:14:51, said:
geriatrickid, on 2010-07-30 09:25:32, said:
Some in fact consider the horrendous traffic and the adrenalin-rush of riding through the polluted streets and sois on the back of a motorcycle taxi or in a tuk-tuk as an attractive part of their Bangkok adventure
Too bad they cannot substantiate that claim. Anyone that comes from a city with greenspace, cleanliness, room to move and decent air loathes Bangkok.
Bangkok is as representative of Thailand as is London to England. England has some beautiful places and people but one wouldn't know it from parts of London. Same applies to Bangkok. Thailand has so much better to offer than stinky Bangkok.
My guess is that if someone looked at statistics Bkk is much safer than London or any big city in the U.S. Pollution is part of a big city. The dregs of society live in the big cities all over the world - white collar criminals, drug pushers, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc. I would like someone to begin listing any big city in Europe or the Americas - more than 1 million pop. - that is not polluted from industry & that any safer than the streets of Bkk. Mexico City? L.A.? New York City? Detroit? London? Add some names & we can discuss it. Want to look at pure trash look at the big cities in Africa, Central & South America? Are they safe? Are they not polluted? Is it not dangerous to walk the streets at night? I don't like Bkk mainly b/c of the pollution in the air & the traffic but any big city has the same problems? Think about rat holes like New Delhi, Calcutta or any other city in India? Or the filth in Pakistan? Or the unbearable cold in Moscow or the filth in the cities of China like Shanghai & Beijing or any Asian country for that matter?
If you are looking for a nice and safe city in the Americas: Buenos Aires.
It is more “European” than European cities, which are full of muslims nowadays.
Only, it is not an old city, some two centuries, about the age of Bangkok.
Posted 2010-07-30 22:20:55
By far NOT the best city in the world. There are thousands of cities much better and with more to offer than this city.
The only outstanding amazing thing is the creativitiy of the people and how they manage to live in it.
Posted 2010-07-30 22:28:14
marios, on 2010-07-30 21:59:22, said:
maxman71, on 2010-07-30 13:47:33, said:
somtampet, on 2010-07-30 12:15:21, said:
sam666, on 2010-07-30 09:03:25, said:
BKK in my opinion is a shit hole unless your going for a fun dirty but expensive weekend. Everyone will try and rip you off, tuk tuk's espically, it's expensive, it's dirty, it's hot and wet with no sun. List can go on, if I had to stay there for my time in Thailand I wouldn't be coming back.
100% agree with your post.I would rather live in the jungle than that sess pit.Racism,polution,nastiness,wannabe hi-so farangs,proper hi-so thais,who are beyond the law,traffic congestion,major flooding,rat infested,a bad edge about the place in general,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Then pack your bags and head off to the jungle Tarzan. It never ceases to amaze me at the whining by some foreign residents and tourists alike about the quality of life in BKK and Thailand in general. It seems as though folks like you want 1st world infrastructure, protections, service, etc but at 3rd world prices. A bunch of cry-babies. It is NOT expensive here if you have your head about you, a lick or two of common sense and are willing to adapt to a more indigenous lifestyle. I've been living here 5 years and before here, in Taiwan. You either get acclimated to it and find ways to make it acceptable to you, or don't let the door slap you on your behind as you leave. If it is so bad, why are you still here???
I agree entirely. People just love Thailand and they adore Bangkok. So do the farang residents who are complaining now. One can only read the posts of anger and desperation for the difficulties in renewing the visa or the elation for having done an easy visa run. They dread the thought of having to leave Thailand. Thailand is magic. The same hotel in London would cost 250 pounds compared to 60 dollars. The food is superb, so is the shopping. Taxis appear at the speed of thought. In the advanced west someone must not get sick on the weekend. Why? simple, no doctors available, hospitals are manned with skeleton crews because in the west free time is (and rightly so ) revered. Take the hospitals in Bangkok, they are always fully staffed and available. Mercifully for us they value money more than leisure time so the medical staff are willing to work on weekends and public holidays. For an elderly person like myself this is important equally so for the rest of the farang whose mean age,I suspect, is middle age plus. The same applies for the market place. People are willing to work 7 days a week. So gentlemen enjoy Thailand as it is now because soon things will change. People will want leisure time and higher pay. For them is only fair, for us the beginning of the end of a wonderful story.
Yes, the poll was correct. Bangkok is a super destination
I think the root issue the whiners have is they are trying to live here on a shoestring budget and do as little as possible to better their lot in life. Then there are some of us who actually believe that you make your own place in life and are responsible for your decisions and actions, good or bad. The problem comes in when that sense of responsibility breaks down and people start looking to others to take up the slack; in other words, they are looking for a Free Lunch...not on my nickel.
Posted 2010-07-30 22:36:07
pattayabuggy, on 2010-07-30 15:07:25, said:
maxman71, on 2010-07-30 13:47:33, said:
somtampet, on 2010-07-30 12:15:21, said:
sam666, on 2010-07-30 09:03:25, said:
BKK in my opinion is a shit hole unless your going for a fun dirty but expensive weekend. Everyone will try and rip you off, tuk tuk's espically, it's expensive, it's dirty, it's hot and wet with no sun. List can go on, if I had to stay there for my time in Thailand I wouldn't be coming back.
100% agree with your post.I would rather live in the jungle than that sess pit.Racism,polution,nastiness,wannabe hi-so farangs,proper hi-so thais,who are beyond the law,traffic congestion,major flooding,rat infested,a bad edge about the place in general,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Then pack your bags and head off to the jungle Tarzan. It never ceases to amaze me at the whining by some foreign residents and tourists alike about the quality of life in BKK and Thailand in general. It seems as though folks like you want 1st world infrastructure, protections, service, etc but at 3rd world prices. A bunch of cry-babies. It is NOT expensive here if you have your head about you, a lick or two of common sense and are willing to adapt to a more indigenous lifestyle. I've been living here 5 years and before here, in Taiwan. You either get acclimated to it and find ways to make it acceptable to you, or don't let the door slap you on your behind as you leave. If it is so bad, why are you still here???
Ahh, it never ceases to amaze me how some people will defend any negative comments about Thailand to the hilt. A statement of fact, not opinion, is that BKK is heavily congested and polluted, full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute.
However I agree, we cannot change it, but a shit hole it remains, and if you want to live there well you had better like living in a shit hole.
It's like someone who lives in the UK defending the English weather and telling everyone how lovely it is, yeah, just a few days a year it is, the rest it's lousy, as there are a few areas of BKK which are nice, but it's not the general picture.
" full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute."
I can fully understand your bad attitude, sounds like you visited only lower Sukhumvit, wont bother asking what you were doing in that part of town.
Often found those that criticise Bkk the most are the ones who cant afford to live there.
What areas of Bkk did you actually visit, make it past soi Cowboy did we, know where Phrom Pong, and Thong Lor are?
Sounds like you are posting from Pattaya, any comment is superfluous.
#65
sam666
Posted 2010-07-30 23:03:39
Quote LOLO!!! The best meals I have eaten are at the sidewalk stalls and they don't charge me anymore than local Thais. Maybe that's because I treat them with kindness and respect, I employ local Thais and contribute more to this country than I take. Try THAT attitude instead of referring to people as private body parts and just maybe your whole outlook will change. Otherwise, good luck finding your "Jane" in the jungle and your incessant whining and complaining will come back at you...
I eat at stalls too and I have more thai friends then farangs, however i'm not a cheap arsehol_e and i'm not going to take my girl to a stall everytime we go for food. You employ thais and give back to Thailand huh? Where abouts, Cowboy? Nana? Maybe i've met one of your employees  /
rgs2001uk said: Ahh, it never ceases to amaze me how some people will defend any negative comments about Thailand to the hilt. A statement of fact, not opinion, is that BKK is heavily congested and polluted, full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute.
However I agree, we cannot change it, but a shit hole it remains, and if you want to live there well you had better like living in a shit
" full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute."
I can fully understand your bad attitude, sounds like you visited only lower Sukhumvit, wont bother asking what you were doing in that part of town.
Often found those that criticise Bkk the most are the ones who cant afford to live there.
What areas of Bkk did you actually visit, make it past soi Cowboy did we, know where Phrom Pong, and Thong Lor are?
Sounds like you are posting from Pattaya, any comment is superfluous.
As a matter of fact, i'm quite a fan of staying at Sukhumvit 21/22, don't judge i'm a young guy in my early 20s, not an old man But in all serious no, I've seen a lot of BKK and always get majorly HH homesick.
Posted 2010-07-30 23:30:50
My first time in Thailand was four years ago. Newly divorced with some walking around money, I thought about different travel destinations. Mexico, too dangerous. Europe, nice, but expensive and being taken over by thugs and Islamists. Africa, hot and corrupt. No way an American would go to any Muslin countries. Russia, China, no way. Vietnam?... bad karma for a army vet. Thailand was a good choice.
I've been to Thailand maybe 18 times since then. I've been married once in a Buddhist ceremony, (paid sin sod and said goodbye) have a son (by another woman), traveled throughout Issan, Kanchanaburi to visit Burmese refugee camps, Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Nong Khai to Phuket. But I still get a thrill in Krueng Thep. The city is a large pulsing and vibrant destination. The architecture of the new buildings always thrill me. Do you see this style in Singapore or Shanghai? Only in Bangkok. When a person speaks some Thai, has learned how not to get ripped off, knows some good Thai people, then a stay in the city is always fun. There is no other place in the world as exciting and alive as Bangkok. And people who visit for the first and only time probably really don't mind paying 800 bht for a taxi from the airport. And a tuk tuk ride on Sukhumvit in the traffic is an experience to tell their friends back in Stockholm or Ackron. And how about the street vendors who give you the big smile while calling you a kee nok behind your back. Are these tourists so uppity that they can't laugh and have a good time? I'll stop my rant, but I have to mention the cleanliness of hotels and friendliness of the staff when one pays 1000 bht or less per night. There are exceptions, but I maintain that there is no place in the world to compare with Bangkok.
Posted 2010-07-30 23:31:21
What amazes me about Bangkok is the cheap eateries. It's fantastic to eat out. Some areas like Khao San Rd are unique. And everything is so cheap. The internet is improving and the infrastructure.
But I agree it sometimes seems a flimsy polluted facade built over a sewer, and I only really got to like the place after developing a strong stomach, and learning to deal with the various and manifold rip off merchants.
The latest move towards bombing innocent people isn't too smart, and generally I don't think military led countries do too well, so regrettably it can't be regarded as tops anymore IMHO because of this.
Posted 2010-07-30 23:43:12
Posted 2010-07-31 00:24:03
ChinnyReckon, on 2010-07-30 12:27:11, said:
I prefer Pattaya.
Bangkok doesn't have a beach. As far as I know.
I have only been to Pattaya
Depends on if it rains more than a short while. Suddenly beaches tend to pop up all over BEAUTIFUL BKK,  though they tend to be rimmed with black mud on the edge of filthy sois and a few dead rats floating down the newly formed sea! Strangely enough cars can even be seen to attempt to travel down these new seas!
Posted 2010-07-31 02:07:29
blazes, on 2010-07-30 13:36:18, said:
Agree with all the other negative comments. Bkk is a place to get out of as quickly as possible.
This is the danger in groupthink.
All you bashers - get out now. We don't want you & you give falang a bad name.
Your country of origin is so much better foff please. Bye. 
Posted 2010-07-31 08:06:50
People experience a culture shock when they arrive here.Their senses are overwhelmed with "Thai culture". They are unable to process all the sensory imput during their vacationing here. Had they stayed longer they would begin to see the larger picture.
Posted 2010-07-31 08:35:26
It's a readers poll. The majority of respondents voted for Bangkok, can't argue with that. Luckily for everyone who would have voted differently, there are thousands of other cities in the world to choose from.
I would have chosen the same city as number 1.
By the way, the poll had nothing to do with which city was most "livable."
Posted 2010-07-31 08:48:38
[/quote]
" full of people trying to con you on every corner, plus racism and bad attitute."
I can fully understand your bad attitude, sounds like you visited only lower Sukhumvit, wont bother asking what you were doing in that part of town.
Often found those that criticise Bkk the most are the ones who cant afford to live there.
What areas of Bkk did you actually visit, make it past soi Cowboy did we, know where Phrom Pong, and Thong Lor are?
Sounds like you are posting from Pattaya, any comment is superfluous.
[/quote]
How wrong you are. I only ever visit BKK when I really have to, and none of the places you have mentioned. I am not on holiday and don't visit any of the tourist and nightlife places. I hate the place and only look forward to getting out of there ASAP. It's a serious health risk due to the pollution, and just for that reason alone should never be rated as best city, it shouldn't even be on the list at all. Add to that the unacceptable practice of dual pricing everywhere, illegal in any more advanced countries.
And mister, racism is everywhere in this country and certainly not confined to lower Sukhumvit, BKK, it's in every city and village, and scams are seen as an acceptable way of life.
So why don't I leave Thailand, dam_n, I wish I could, but home for me now is a distance of both space and time, I am stuck with it as I am too old, just a sad old man now.
oneeye
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Posted 2010-07-31 11:01:40
Wouldn't it be great if Bangkok was just like the western cities we came from? 
Posted 2010-07-31 13:00:33
In case you missed it...
The Top 10 cities in the World’s Best Award 2010 are Bangkok (90.30 votes); Chiang Mai (89.53), Florence, Italy (89.17), San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (89.17), Rome, Italy (88.60 ), Sydney, Australia(87.99), Buenos Aires, Argentina (87.98), Oaxaca, Mexico (87.78), Barcelona, Spain (87.71) and New York (87.68).
The questionnaire, which was online from December 15 to March 31, covered such issues as sights, culture and the arts, restaurants and food, people, shopping, and value for money.
Can one of the knowledgeable people here please throw up a list of some of the must see cultural and arts things. Pardon my lack of information, but all I can think of is the National Wat, or even some of the best sights.
TheWalkingMan
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