The Contradictions of Bangkok
Bangkok has developed into a sophisticated and exciting global capital. Since Thailand never experienced the western colonization that influenced many regions in Asia, it has maintained its unique heritage and culture to this day. This results in a dizzing array of contrasts as the ancient traditions of Thailand meld with the modern lifestyle of a country’s center of business, diplomacy, and commerce.
With nearly ten million residents, Bangkok has long outgrown traditional village life. With over 1000 skyscrapers, Bangkok has one of the world’s most beautiful urban skylines. There are dozens of modern shopping malls, complete with climate-controlled environments, designer labels, and food courts offering meals from around the world. Some of the best hotels in the area offer modern conveniences such as wireless internet.
Bangkok also has 400 Buddhist temples offering an array of architectural beauty and spiritual and cultural meaning. There are grand palaces that provide glimpses of traditional court life and village homes that have survived for two centuries. Some of the city’s canals still remain and offer a more traditional form of transportation than the oft-congested city streets. Traditional markets display a staggering variety of items including local arts, crafts, and clothing. Food stalls throughout the city sell favorite Thai dishes and local restaurants provide food with strong Chinese, Indian and Thai flavors.
Visitors to this unique city will find that although there is some of the bustle that is expected in a global capital, Bangkok actually has a slower pace than most. People are willing to enjoy life and balance their cultural and spiritual needs against those of work and progress. The best time time to visit Bangkok is right now, November through February. However, the climate is warm most of the year, making it a beautiful place to visit, even in the wet season when tropical storms provide beautiful displays of nature and offer a bit of cooling to the region.