Is Bangkok different from the rest of Thailand? If so, what makes Bangkok different from the rest of Thailand? These are common questions an adventure-seeking tourist, or an individual looking forward to becoming an expat in Thailand is often faced with. Answering these questions is the primary objective of this article.
Is Bangkok different from the rest of Thailand?
Aside from being the capital of Thailand, there are many ways in which Bangkok is different from other parts of the country; it is a global metropolis and the largest city in Thailand. Compared to other cities and provincial towns Bangkok is not as old as they are, especially when compared with settlements such as Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom, and Lopburi. The oldest city in Thailand is over two thousand years old.
There are lots of other cities that are not so different from Bangkok, with population densities ranging from 200,000 to 400,000. These cities are equipped with modern-day facilities and basic amenities such as universities, major hospitals, regional sporting complexes, high schools, etc. The only difference between these cities and Bangkok is probably the lower level of self-sufficiency and employment. The self-sufficiency of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand has continued to attract both internal migrants from different parts of the country and expats from all over the world.
Undeveloped areas and rural settlements can also be seen in other parts of Thailand where the primary occupation of the people is rice cultivation and fishing. These areas include Chiang Khan, Pai, and Chao Phraya. The rural settlements in Thailand are segregated into smaller administrative units called “Tambon” and are no different from local village communities. Each of these rural settlements is represented by village elders or headmen generally called Phu Yai Baan, elected by the occupants to serve for five years. Unlike Bangkok which is governed by political appointees at the national level. These village elders or headmen are subjected by law to the local councilor also known as Kamnan.
According to the demographics of Thailand, over 50% of its population (35 million) settle in urban areas. Whereas there are two Special Administrative Regions in the country; Bangkok and Pattaya. Other provincial towns are 76 in total and are all generally called “Mueang”, with Bangkok being the only region called “Krung” which means the capital. The Metropolitan Region of Bangkok which includes five surrounding provinces is a settlement with nearly 15 million people. Furthermore, the population density in Bangkok is way higher compared to other parts of Thailand. After Bangkok, the next metropolitan area with a large population density is Chiang Mai with approximately 1,197,931 people,
Unlike Bangkok, rural settlements in Thailand are tight-knit tradition-practicing communities where people can observe their traditional way of life. However, as Thailand continues to grow and embrace the western culture together with the modern era, there’s a decline in small villages as regional cities continue to grow bigger as well as a rapid change in traditional practices in these rural communities.
Because of all the distinctive qualities, thrilling experience, and beautiful scenery in Bangkok it has become one of the most visited cities in Thailand.
Why Is Bangkok One of the Most Visited Cities in Thailand?
The city of Bangkok is one of the few travel locations that flood the minds of local and international tourists from all over the world who seek culturally-interesting locations – one with good food, breath-taking scenery, and markets.
Bangkok has for ages remained one of the most popular cities in the world and has been officially declared one of the most-visited, as compared to New York City, Paris, London, and other prominent cities.
Without any hesitation lets’ take a look at the few things that make Bangkok a must-go-to travel location for tourists.
Bangkok Is a Clean and Safe City
Undoubtedly, other prominent cities such as Singapore or Dubai are way more sparkling and cleaner than Bangkok. However, Bangkok still remains a very clean city in Thailand. Locals are employed to sweep the streets, pack up litter, and take out bins every day. Also, street vendors and business owners are obligated to keep their environment clean and free from litter.
Bangkok is also a city with a very low crime rate, although scams and pickpockets still remain a threat just as they are in other major cities all over the world. Corruption and other social vices still exist in Thailand, but still Bangkok is far from the worst city in the country. If most of your businesses take place online or you are a remote worker, you will be protected from most of these negative experiences. As a tourist, Bangkok is a safe city.
The Cost Of Living Is Affordable
Thailand isn’t a country with the lowest cost of living in the world, however, it is cheap when compared to Europe, North America, Japan, or Australia. A well-furnished studio apartment in a nice building with functioning utilities including Wifi could go 450 USD a month while living off street food.
Fascinating Night Life
Bangkok is the mirrored version of New York City because it is also known as a city that never sleeps. The nightlife in this city features bars, clubs, and street food vendors, including businesses of all sorts, beautiful lighting, and all types of people going about their different activities. Some businesses such as bars, clubs, and others stay alive till dawn while some offer panoramic views to boost the nightlife experience. Areas such as Soi Cowboy, Soi Twilight, Nana Plaza, and Patpong are Bangkok’s most prominent red-light districts that attract nightcrawlers many of which are both locals and tourists.
At night, Bangkok’s Chinatown is pleasingly colorful and exotic, filled with market stalls and a high concentration of gold shops. During major festival observations such as the Vegetarian Festival and the Chinese New Year, the nightlife is graced with the spirit of celebration that spreads like wildfire across the town.
The Food Is Top Notch
Thai food may not be your favorite cuisine in the world, but it is among the top 10. The Thai massaman curry has many times been nominated as the best dish in the world. In all of Bangkok, every street, every corner you go, you will be surrounded by Thailand’s street food culture, and there are lots of dishes you can always pick from, the majority of which are tasty.
