What's so great about Bangkok, anyway?
What exactly is so darn attractive about Bangkok? It’s continuously voted as one of the world’s greatest cities among world travelers. But explaining exactly why people feel the need to cross oceans to stroll its chaotic streets is no easy task.
We decided to pose the question to some high profile Bangkokians who have had a chance to see what the rest of the world has to offer.
Apirak KosayodhinApirak Kosayodhin
First up, someone who was once in charge of running the whole city. As governor of Bangkok for four years, Apirak Kosayodhin was directly responsible in overseeing its day-to-day operations as well as its administration, and credited for implementing some much needed change.
“As a resident of Bangkok for all my life I think the thing that I am most proud of is the cultural heritage that Bangkokians inherit,” he says. “Our monuments and structures attract people the world over. We are also a very charming city with canals and waterways that showcase the remarkable way people still traditionally live their lives along the river.”
He also points to the people and ‘value for money,’ which do the city no harm either. When pressed for final remarks the one-time governor shows his true colors.
“Last reason? Bangkok United FC!”
Catherine Bowers Cat and Nat
The search for more opinionated views leads us to Bangkok’s most outspoken duo, Catherine Bowers and Natayada na Songkhla. Colloquially they are referred to as Cat and Nat, the duo behind many collaborations including the discontinued The Nation lifestyle column “Cat and Nat,” a partnership at Thailand Tatler where Nat was editor-in-chief and Cat a contributing editor and their newest joint venture CatandNat.com, a lifestyle Ezine launching in May.
“For me the best part of Bangkok is when you leave,” says Cat. “Hear me out … it’s only when you’re away from the city do you realize how much you miss it. I mean everyone finds something to complain about [in her case it’s the traffic] but you miss it when you’re gone.” As for Nat, “despite the ostensible chaos that is Bangkok to me the city has a profound sense of spirituality, not in just the people but in the place itself. This spirituality gives a sense of order, serenity amidst the sea of chaos; that’s why there is something new and surprising every day. Anyone who has lived in Thailand ends up acquiring a more lighthearted view of life. To me this is the best part.”
Boonyapha "Pette" Bencharongkul Boonyapha "Pette" Bencharongkul
Socialite Boonyapha Bencharongkul, heir to the Dtac fortune (among others), points to the city’s retail options instead, arguing that the best thing about Bangkok is Siam Square.
“You can find everything there. Clothes, accessories, dvds, you name it. And you can bargain, which I absolutely love doing, despite being not very good at it.”
Spending a few years growing up in a foreign country, Boonyapha also enjoys that Thais are a very relaxed race with a laidback ‘Sabai Sabai’ attitude.
Martin Hoontrakul (right)Martin Hoontrakul
For industrial design consultant Martin Hoontrakul, the notion that Bangkok has a bit of everything is particularly agreeable. The Australia-educated Thai recently took up cycling, as “it only just dawned on me that there's so much of Bangkok that you can see if you can just get off the road and explore the different nooks and crannies that you can't get to by road.
“Sometimes when you see local bicycle tours leading a convoy of foreign tourists cycling through the communities of Klongtoey, you realize that these people who visit probably get to see more than locals do.”
Sarunrat “Lydia” VisutthithadaSarunrat “Lydia” Visutthithada
Ok so we’ve asked former governors, socialites, writers and designers. That leaves someone from Bangkok’s entertainment scene, which our flamboyant city is so famous for. For that view we caught up with one of Bangkok’s most popular entertainers, R 'n' B diva Sarunrat “Lydia” Visutthithada.
“It’s the food, it’s the smell, it’s the combination of good and bad. It’s everything,” gushes the gorgeous pop star. “I mean there is so much to choose in terms of food, housing, etc, that it drives you over the wall. It is also one of those places that constantly tries to better itself. Bangkokians are very aware -- even if soaps and media don’t make us out to be.”
Not satisfied by these answers? Tell us why you love Bangkok in the comments section below.
