London? New York? Bangkok, baby. (Bangkok (Thailand))

Member Name: XVentura

Product:	Bangkok (Thailand)
Date:	28/05/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has everything you want

Disadvantages: Must not be a lazy, gullable tourist - unless you are wealthy

Bangkok: My Home Town

These days, when people discuss the most trendy, multicultural and interesting cities in the world, they often cite London, Paris, New York, Rome and Madrid as examples, but never, and this is a fact: never do they mention Bangkok as a city that's comparable to London and New York.

I believe that this is wrong. Of course, I am biased. But being born there and having lived there for 21 years gives me a perspective that not many have.

What do you want when you visit a city? You want good, preferably cheap, food. Tick for Bangkok. There are numerous five-star hotels who serve you food that will cost as much as a kebab in your local after a night out. And the best thing? The food is as good as Gordon Ramsey's. You have the local noodle shops, which, apart from the food itself, offers a real insight to Thai culture. And the price? A measly £1 for a bowl or plate of noodles that will leave you full to the brim.

What else do you want when you visit a city? Unique tourist attractions. Tick for Bangkok. As a capital city and center of a unique version of Buddhism, the shrines, palaces and temples that exist and are available for visiting rivals those of the Vatican City. Of course, the history, as written in Western textbooks, do not illustrate the significance and beauty of these creations but they are there to see for anyone interested in a glance at history.

Do you want to party? Ask any backpacker and Bangkok and Thailand in general will rank up there with the best party cities in the world. It's cheap, it's good, and this is a factor that's crucially underrated, it is safe. You will not be robbed, you will not get stabbed and you do not have to fear for your life partying in Bangkok, even if you are as drunk as you've ever been. There are those, of course, who have had bad experiences, but in my own experience, people bring a lot of trouble on themselves. If you want to have a good time and enjoy the culture, then Bangkok is a great city.

However, even though it's my home town, there are certain elements that tourists need to be aware of. Firstly, the two-price standard that exists - one for locals, one for foreigners. I think it's racist and discriminatory, but it's caused by ignorance rather than malice. Secondly, you will be ripped off if you shop in a local mall. Stay in the big malls if you want branded and genuine stuff. If you're looking for quirky t-shirts, then you're going to enter a local mall and you are going to get ripped off.

Saying that, if you have your wits about you, Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world and caters to people of different social and financial standings with a myriad of different interests. It is a truly unique city in the world and anyone who hasn't visited it is missing out.

Summary: Keep your wits about you and Bangkok's one of the nicest, most interesting cities in the world