Tag: Thailand

Day 10: Bangkok — Exuding Exoticism

“Thailand was never a European colony, so even though the city is very Western on the surface, deep down it’s very Asian. It’s quite enigmatic, and I like that. I can’t get to the bottom of Bangkok, and I never will.” — Lawrence Thomas

Me posing with a giant golden Buddha at a temple just outside of Bangkok [8/25/2023]

After several days in Bangkok, I can say it’s somewhere I can’t quite put my finger on.

As the above quote states, there are signs of capitalism and Western culture everywhere. However, once you look a bit deeper, you are met with an array of differences from Western society. A large part of this is likely due to Thailand never being a European colony, its identity has stayed much more pure and uncorrupted than many of its neighboring nations. With this historical knowledge in mind, one can begin to realize why Bangkok can be perceived as deeply exotic by us Westerners.

Buddhist temples are littered around the city, inducing a sense of awe. People are sleeping on the streets at an uncomfortable number. Pungent and unfamiliar odors fill the air, changing from moment to moment. From swage, decaying animals, fermenting garbage, meat and spices, fish, fruit, and deep-fried dough, to everything in between, one’s nose is filled with a morphing concoction of unfamiliar smells.

Bangkok is also a city that seems to specialize in normalizing the taboo. One can find whatever (or whomever) they’re looking for here; it provides limitless options to fulfill every lustful fantasy we humans hold. It boasts an infamous red light district, where just about anything the mind can imagine can be witnessed. Additionally, one will also surely encounter the city’s many prostitutes. They can easily be found lining the streets at all hours, attempting to lure in any lonely man who passes them by.

Alleyway of Bangkok’s Chinatown, prostitution is common here [8/25/23]

I wish I could offer more insights about Bangkok, but it remains a mystery. I find it quite difficult to write about honestly. Shrouded in a veil of Eastern mysticism, it is enormously different than the society to which I am accustomed. On the surface, Bangkok is modernizing and evolving, but beneath its surface, there remain deep-rooted traditions that seem to be impermeable to new influence and change.

Bangkok came and went like a dream. Upon departing, I find myself rubbing my eyes in perplexity, questioning the very existence of this exotic wonderland.

Side street of Bangkok’s Chinatown

Day 9: Bangkok — A Curious Concoction

“The allure of Bangkok lies in its ability to surprise and inspire at every turn.” — Unknown

View of one of the many side streets in Bangkok’s Chinatown [8/23/2023]

I landed in Bangkok in the afternoon on August 23rd and took the bus to the public transport. An average person would have probably just called a taxi, but I like to challenge myself to see if I can navigate to my destination like the locals. Also, I just really love riding metro systems.

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t expect much of Bangkok’s metro system, but to my surprise, it seemed modern, clean, and efficient. I was able to find the station, buy a ticket, and navigate to my destination with relative ease.

Comparing it with my baseline of Vietnam, at first impression Bangkok is it’s a tad more dressed up and modernized than Saigon (in some areas). I am staying in the Chinatown neighborhood of Bangkok, which is quite exciting and bustling with life. The Chinese have a long history in Thailand and have been migrating here for hundreds of years. And of course, this reality makes for both cultural and culinary conglomerations.

A Chinese-Thai restaurant in Bangkok’s Chinatown [8/24/2023]

Like Saigon, The abundance of food in Bangkok is overwhelming. Only here, the wok is king. Many street food carts have multiple giant woks ready to go at a moment’s notice. In the blink of an eye, the vendors take orders, and all in one motion, throw the ingredients into the blisteringly hot woks. Like an angry dragon, flames shoot out from under the food while the cook shakes and stirs the contents vigorously with a metal spatula, cooking it to perfection at an astonishing speed. A mixture of steam and smoke instantaneously emits, filling the air with a distinct aroma which usually consists of meat, fresh herbs/spices, and of course, Thai chilis. A true match made in heaven.

The sound of this process is jarring as well; with an initial sizzle so piercing that it could make an unsuspecting patron leap out of their chair. In fact, one will undoubtedly see and hear many bewildering things here. But don’t be alarmed, this is Bangkok.

Bangkok’s Chinatown [8/24/2023]

The shock and awe here seem to be part of the character of this city. Perusing around the streets, something (or someone) is bound to catch your eye and make you realize that you’re not in Kansas anymore — this is about as far from American suburbia as one can get.

While intense and at times unrestrained, the people here are also kind to their core; they have deeply rooted Buddhist traditions that emphasize dignity and respect for fellow human beings. People want to ensure you are happy, fed, and cared for. When saying “thank you” it is customary to join hands and give a bow, which I find incredibly endearing. It also tears down barriers and helps you feel connected to the person on the other end. And street vendors are often happy to serve foreigners; when sharing how much you enjoyed the meal their faces often light up with excitement and joy.

As someone who loves to sit and simply observe foreign societies, Bangkok is like Disneyland for me. I could sit for hours on a busy street corner and take it all in. The sights, the sounds, the food, there is so much going on; there is a story happening everywhere. There is also an elusive aura here that I am having difficulty understanding, perhaps this is due to my biased Western lens of interpretation.

I’ve never been exposed to something quite this exotic. 

One of the many Buddhist temples in Bangkok [8/25/23]