Is your hometown the setting for a movie that earned five awards and sixteen nominations? No? That’s probably because you don’t live in Bangkok. It’s okay; we can’t all get this lucky. In The Hangover: Part II, Thailand was depicted as a place jam packed with obscene adventures around every bend, speeding dangerously down allies. While only part of that is true, (the motorbike taxis are uncomfortably fast, especially when they zip past you, skimming the sidewalk) the rest is rather fabricated. Sure, Bangkok is an extremely adventurous city and yes, it gets a little crazy sometimes; but it really isn’t as intense as the film portrays it. I mean, I haven’t yet seen someone wake up with a tribal tattoo on his face, but I guess anything can happen. Either way, most people won’t take a young twenty-year old girl’s word for it; let alone one that comes from New York and is used a busy, bustling lifestyle. For the most part, they would much rather make the investment to come to this beautiful country in order to see the renowned city for themselves. So overall, Bangkok is a prime tourist destination.
People come here for a slew of reasons, whether that’s to ride an elephant, pray to Buddha, eat Pad Thai, or see a Ping-Pong show. There are little to no boundaries in Bangkok, and that’s part of the reason that this place is so enticing. There’s an overwhelming list of things to do, sites to see, and foods to eat. And out of everything on that list, most items can be pretty easily categorized into three sections—food, nightlife, and excursions.
First off, Thailand is a food lover’s paradise. No matter what your dietary needs are, you can most certainly find something you will enjoy here. From sushi, to burgers, to ice cream, Thailand has some of the best finds in the world. (If you don’t believe me, refer back to my blog post “NO DOUBT A”BAHT” IT. BEST CHICKEN EVER.”) Many people hear about the extravagant food choices in Bangkok and are drawn here in the hopes of tasting as many different delicacies as they possibly can in the time that they have allotted. However, when they arrive and have their first meal, most times people are surprised by how much the quality surpasses the price—well, at least I was. The fact of the matter is, and will always be, that I’ve had some of the best meals of my life in Thailand. But the part that is frequently overlooked is that these meals aren’t just amazing for their quality, but for their efficiency in preparation as well as their prices. The greatest soup of my life was sitting in front of me, exactly two minutes and thirteen seconds after I ordered it; and I paid less than $1.50. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure most Americans can’t say that about things they’ve eaten in the states, and that’s pretty cool.
Okay, now for the nightlife. I’ll keep it short (ish). Bangkok is pretty known for its clubs and reckless party scene, as over exaggeratedly expressed in The Hangover: Part II. At first, I wasn’t super intrigued by the opportunity to party alongside thousands of foreigners because I’m not really into that. However, I was able to truly appreciate the nightlife scene after going to a nightclub with some friends and seeing a live cover band in the women’s bathroom. How sweet? Laser beams came out from the walls and at times I was confused whether I was in a video game or a restroom in Asia. Regardless, the bottom line is this: Bangkok’s night scene is WILD.
In fact, most of Bangkok is wild. Many of the most popular excursions here are centered in the tourist business. People come here to see the turquoise beaches, elaborate temples, and hopefully the chance to ride atop an elephant. But out of these popular sites, exploring the beaches of Thailand is one of the main features that draw visitors here. The way that the bright blue water crashes softly against the fine white sand, with hundred-foot limestone sculptures emerging naturally from the ocean, is something one can only imagine—or Google. And that’s just it. Bangkok is another world unto itself. It’s a playground where foodies, partiers and adventurers alike join together and create an experience specific to their interests. It’s overwhelming enough to make you feel hung-over; but it sure is worth it.