BootsnAll Travel Community

RE: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/08-01/what-to-expect-...k-thailand-asia.html
I would be bewildered and angry too if I experienced Bangkok like you did. Have you considered a female bodyguard? I've been to Bangkok three times but each time went as part of a couple or a group. Sounds like this is the kind of a place where you want to travel as part of a group to avoid some of the hassles you mentioned. The taxi tips are very useful - we'll remember that for the next trip.

I have to admit I feel quite strongly about writing the counter argument to the article. I appreciate that this person went through their own idea of a nightmare but you learn the tricks of the City quite quickly.

For example...The taxi thing. I think maybe only once did I pay a stated fare for a taxi (and that was only because it was actually quite resonable in th eend). Sometimes I've had to try 5 or 6 cabs before one will take me. Heck they dont like going down to Sukhumvit but sooner or later one will take you. Its very much worth being persistant.

Personally speaking, again, I found apile of great bars, not go go bars, no sex being sold. Nothing. Just a bar, some people, maybe even the football on and a pool table. There's quite a few actually.

I think you actually learn to block out those asking you if you wnat a taxi etc....Heck it just didnt bother me at all, and when they realise you're wise to them they move on pretty quickly.

My take on Bangkok is VERY different, I think its a wonderful,vibrant pulsating City with a huge heart. Its in your face for sure but,like the rest of Thailand, I found a few worlds of Thai go a long long way.

I've been 5 times, I'd go back 50 more.

World Citizen,

How about it - writing a short article on the Bangkok you know? Here's the link.

http://www.bootsnall.com/user/form.php

Sorry about that, I mean, London Card 2

I definitely agree with the comments of LondonCard2. In fact, I feel the author paints a distorted view of Bangkok but one which I do not deny reflects his experiences. However, he tends to describe the city in sweeping generalizations which is very misleading and erroneous. For example he states that one must "be prepared to be assaulted everywhere you go, 24 hours a day by men, women, taxi drivers, tuk-tuk operators, tailor shop salesmen, and the dreaded massage ladies" or "Everyone of them is open to, or implicitly solicits some kind of sexual contact" or implies that all police in the city are corrupt. I definitely take issue with such comments because I know that is not always the case.

The author clearly had some negative experiences and describes these in a mildly entertaining and descriptive fashion. But to me, making broad generalizations about any city or country benefits noone and is not necessarily representative of what everyone will experience. This is not to say Bangkok is necessarily a perfect city (I don’t think any city is) but there are interesting and beautiful things that can be found if one looks, especially off from the main tourist beat.

I hope that when others read the article they realize that it represents one perspective….a perspective that I do not totally agree with and that reflects the fact that the author only focused on the negative aspects of the city. For me, Bangkok is more about the people and I think it is still possible to experience the warmth, hospitality, friendliness and, of course the smiles, that Thailand is famous for.

Nicely stated. I agree. No country, no city is perfect. What happens is that we measure them by our experiences - rightly or wrongly. There is always another view, another perspective.

Articles are written by individuals who have their take on a particular area. And it is just that - their processing of what occurred.

Discussion is good, beneficial and thought provoking.

I've not been to Bangkok. I've heard terrible things about it, and wonderful things. Let's say I go there. I'll form a certain impression of it for sure, but it doesn't mean it is the final word. No way.

That's the reason I enjoy reading these short stories. You get different views - a nice reflection of the diversity of our world.

Bangkok is my favorite city in the world. Well, I like hot, steamy metropolises with a pulsating street-life culture. But Bangkok also has an up-scale side to it these days. it is the perfect mix for me. I feel 100% relaxed in Bangkok--I just take it all in stride there.