Jasper2009

Ok, so Iīve been to Bangkok twice, and must say I really donīt like the place.

- I have visited most of the major attractions (various tempels, Royal palace, private rider boat trip) and was pretty underwhelmed
- people trying to scam you: maybe entertaining the fist time, but gets old pretty fast
- taxi drivers range from kamikaze to useless. Most taxi driver are unable to find a hotel a few km away even when giving them a map and everything printed in Thai
- massages: I enjoyed a few reasonably priced massages, but overall the quality has been hit and miss, even at high-end hotels
- "special massages"/gogo bars/hookers: sorry, not interested

Obviously millions of tourists disagree with me, or am I missing something?

dsquared37

I find the temples, especially random ones, interesting but the more touristy, pay to enter ones, less so. The scams are concentrated in touristy areas so again, less touristy areas mean less hassle.

Taxi drivers are rarely from Bangkok and might not know the hotels, they will typically know the streets. Maps are useless and just serve to confuse people throughout Asia.

I've always found massage hit and miss and, after getting a good one, tend to frequent that particular establishment and, more to the point, that particular woman.

The happy massages, gogo bars etc was never my cup of tea and, IMHO, are to be avoided like the plague unless a fool and his money are desired to be separated.

Bangkok is a city I enjoy immensely off the tourist trail. Frankly I don't see how the touristy things continue to pull back tourists so I tacitly understand and agree with your points (excepting the temples which I think are physically interesting buildings).

Edit: can't believe I forgot to include this: FOOD.

Braindrain

Just as a comparison, what international destination do you like?




Personally, I love the food (high and low end), shopping (malls and outdoor), cheap (real) massages, and the organized chaos. I also love visiting Vietnam.

To me, it's the sense of adventure and embracing what the city is - not the opposite. BKK isn't for the timid - that's why SIN is there.

As for scams, it happens everywhere - Asia, Europe, N+S America, and the city where you live.

Jasper2009

Pretty much most places Iīve visited incl. most of Europe, Canada, US, Carribbean, Israel, South Africa, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands...

Youīre right, scams and crime exist everywhere. Just had the impression that Bangkok is the world capital of scammers and people trying to sell you cheap crap.

Iīm sure Thailand has some nice places, but Bangkok left me very unimpressed.

Braindrain

Well, in Wesern Europe, there are teams of roving gypsies. In PRG, it seemed like everyone and his mother was trying to rip me off - was even shortchanged at a real supermarket. In BCN, got the taxis that did several "circles" before picking us up in front of our hotel on Ramblas. Also came across an elderly couple that fell for the "there's ketchup" on your shirt routine and lost their wallet. In IST and CAI, tons of people walking around just trying to hit you up for a scam. etc, etc, etc.

I find in BKK, the scams are pretty easy to spot and don't (normally) physically harass you - unlike many other places you've mentioned. Personally, I really don't mind going to BKK as it was relatively scam-free outside of the tourist traps.

mario33

Go another 8 times and report back here

It's a city that grows on you, not love at first sight.

jma99

Simple!

THE FOOD!!!!!

Dieuwer

In IST it is no longer a scam, you're life is at stake if you fall for the "My new friend, let me buy you a drink" invitation.

Example of a typical BKK scam?

glob99

Temple closed, Buddhist holiday.
20 baht tuk-tuk tour.
1 day only government gem sale.
500 baht taxi fare to airport.

zebranz

Peninsula Hotel
Peninsula Hotel
Food
Orient Express train to Singapore

Dieuwer

Maybe I am clueless, but Buddhists don't have holidays? And 500 baht taxi to the airport ($16) is much less what I pay in Boston ($50).

dsquared37

There are 4 Buddhist holidays the government holds significantly high enough to ban alcohol sales. There are myriad other important holidays. Temples are not closed though.

Who cares if 500 Baht is less than what you pay in ____. If a local dinner costs $40 and they gave you a bill for $80 would you say, 'oh, but it's cheaper than eating in NY?'

Dieuwer

I think that happened to me in IST.

Braindrain

The classic "the temple is closed but I'll show you a place that's open" leading up to "this gem shop is owned by a friend that will get you a super deal". Then there are the taxis who don't turn on meters to "this skewer of meat/roadkill is beef."

dsquared37

In Myanmar in 2005 (?) i was starving and knew there would be a wait for the food I ordered so I also grabbed a skewer of chicken.

That chicken at one point had four legs and wagging tail.

Oh well, it did sate me until the remainder of my order arrived.