Bangkok, which means “city of angels” in Thai, is the capital of Thailand with up to 8 million inhabitants. Here the modern, the traditional and the chaotic mix, and the old buildings contrast with the modern skyscrapers, giving this metropolis an atmosphere that is unparalleled in the world. In this article we will analyze in detail what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Bangkok. There are many expats living in Bangkok, they are mainly single retired men or remote workers, the rest choose to live in Bangkok first and then deal with the problem of work.
Thai people are generally friendly and open. They become rigid only if you do not respect things they consider important or if you ignore or disregard their customs. Despite the fact that Bangkok is visited by millions of tourists each year, most Thais have very little contact with foreigners outside of the tourist industry, and even those who are part of the educated middle class rarely progress beyond basic English. As a result, the level of English in such a cosmopolitan city is very low.
Bangkok is a busy city, to say the least. Always on the move and always noisy. It’s a fun city that has something for everyone. Even if you live in the suburbs, you do not need to go downtown because good food and fun are everywhere. There are plenty of places to eat, and the prices are very reasonable. In addition, new bars and restaurants open almost every week, so it’s impossible to run out of options. The cost of everything from food to housing is lower than in Western countries. The exception is imported products. However, the lower cost of everything else more than makes up for this.
Given the terrible traffic in Bangkok, many people prefer to use public transportation, which is quite convenient. Buses are also often stuck in traffic, so a good alternative is to use rail transport, as there are several suburban trains. During rush hours, these trains are very crowded, and in many cases it will be difficult to catch the first train that arrives and you will have to wait for the next one.
Drivers drive like crazy, signs and rules are non-existent, don’t expect cars or motorcycles to give you the right of way at a crosswalk or red light. Thais are some of the worst drivers in the world, they drive without regard for traffic rules or the safety of others. The roads are so dangerous that many companies prohibit their employees from driving, as many employees have died in traffic accidents.
In addition, the constant noise of vehicles creates an extremely stressful environment that greatly affects the quality of life of residents. This traffic also contributes to high levels of pollution in Bangkok, the extent of which is becoming increasingly worrisome. Bangkok is one of the most polluted cities on the Asian continent, which poses a serious problem for the health of its residents.
If you choose to live in Bangkok, you will have to live with bureaucracy and corruption. Bureaucracy and corruption are at home here. The corrupt are not only the big politicians, but corruption has spread to civil servants, merchants and even the police.
As for the weather. Yes, it is very hot and humid all year round. Make sure your flat has good air conditioning. Also, Bangkok is on flat terrain, which means there is always flooding during the rainy season.
Living and working in Bangkok – pros and cons
Live in Bangkok, pros
- Low cost of living
- Good public transportation
- Vibrant city
- Great cityscape and beautiful architecture
- Good and affordable food
Living in Bangkok, cons
- Terrible traffic
- Extremely noisy
- High pollution
- Overpopulation
- Difficulty in obtaining a work visa
- High level of corruption
Living in Bangkok, conclusion
Today, Thailand’s immigration policy has become much stricter. Thailand is no longer the free and open country it once was. This change in attitude has been caused in large part by the rd uncontrolled behavior of many foreigners. Because of this, it is now much more difficult to live in Bangkok and Thailand, immigration controls are stricter and those who overstay their visas face fines.
For those interested in living in Thailand, I recommend reading the article: Moving to Thailand
For those interested in working in Thailand, I recommend reading the article: Working in Thailand
