A short business trip gave me a few hours to enjoy the urban side of Bangkok, which I find fascinating. (In the coming months I’ll write another article in Bangkok, which I was able to properly visit a few years ago – stay tuned 😊)
Bangkok is a sprawling megalopolis. Even some of the main historical sites, including the Royal Palace, the Wat Arun, and the other amazing temples of the area seem engulfed in the concrete jungle – can you spot them in the picture below?
The juxtaposition and contrast of the old and the new is striking.
Skyscrapers are rising, some with daring designs, like the King Power Mahanakhon building (คิง เพาเวอร์ มหานคร).
The Chao Phraya river is the backbone of the city …
… and is still one of the most efficient modes of transportation in this congested megalopolis.
The Chao Phraya also offers the best point of view of some of the most stunning sights, like the Wat Arun temple.
Tourist cruise boats follow one another closely up and down the river. Some are bright and modern…
… others have a more traditional vibe.
The Chao Phraya river could also claim to be Bangkok’s most prestigious avenue, its “Champs Elysée”, as the iconic brands of luxury have chosen to settle on its banks …
… and it is where some of the loudest parties take place.
Among the other hip places, the skyscraper rooftop bars, literally dominating the city, are possibly the most striking.
They have fully integrated the global codes of coolness …
… and they attract both expats and the well-heeled and hoping-to-be-famous local crowd.
Meanwhile, back down on earth, at ground level, real life continues.
You liked reading this article? Please share it! Thank you! – and comments are always welcome.
You may also be interested in other articles about the same trip:
- Peaceful Pa Pong Piang terraced rice fields
- Unexpected serenity in Chiang Mai, tourism capital of northern Thailand
- and more on the way!
More to come, stay tuned!
Didier.
P.S. Small bonus: some global brands have mastered localization 😅
And the personality cult of the king is still rife, at least in semi-official circles:
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