I gotta say...Bangkok was a shock. I was excited about visiting, and I loved what I saw, but it was for completely different reasons than I expected. I figured that Bangkok was a seedy, edgy, backpacker destination that one earns a certain level of "street-cred" for visiting. I imagined getting off the plane and immediately being abducted by a transsexual ladyboy who would try and enslave me at a red-light-district bar that performs ping pong shows all night.

Instead, I was greeted with an incredibly modern and efficient, safe city that had a wealth of culture to offer. Getting around is easy, the people are wonderful, and it's foreign enough that you feel like you're really exploring a distinct culture.

I did make it to a ping pong show at the drunken coercion of some very attractive British backpacking chicks and I have to say, that was a hoot. You haven't lived until you've seen a 90 pound Thai woman shoot a dart across the room and pop a balloon powered only by the air from flexing her hoo-haa.

Cool city for what you've heard about... 'One Night In Bangkok' aint just a song ;) But it is very dirty, and I would fear for my life if I got lost on a backstreet.

Bangkok offers lots of great shopping from Koh Sahn rd to Siam Center and MBK. The  hotels of bangkok are some of the best deals in Asia and you can't beat the street food like Pad Thai.

awesome destination 2 shop

If you want to feel "relax!, Bangkok is not the place... too much pollution (!) and people...Night time there are lots of foregin idiots as well.

Bangkok is the most wonderful city in the world in my opinion. I have been there numerous times and each time my plane lands and I step out of the airport I feel like I have come home. The Thai people are the most generous and friendly people I have ever met and the atmosphere of Bangkok, in spite of it's size and activity, is just so laid back. They even have a saying in Thai that explains the whole laid back idea - mai bpen rai. It literally means "for nothing" and you will hear it many times when there is a potentially stressful incident or something that may cause conflict. I have learned to interpret it as "chill out man".

Add to that the amazing culture and world class food and shopping at rock bottom prices and you simply cannot beat Bangkok for charm, activities, cuisine and all around fun.

Read more of my musings about Thailand at http://www.thailandmusings.com, my blog about everything Thai.

I haven't stayed in Bangkok for that long but I just fell in love with this city the very first time I landed. The denizens are very Hospitable and full of life. I really like eating in one of the many roadside eating place- very cheap and amazing food. this is one of the very few place where you get cheap seafoods and beer unlike many other southeast asian cities. If you love night life and women- this place will never disappoint you.

i had no idea what to expect when i went to Koh Samui and Bangkok 8 months ago. Now, i cannot wait to go back! it was the best holiday destination! Koh Samui has beautiful beaches and a great atmosphere for whether you feel like just sitting on the beach, going to a restaurant or hitting the nightlife around the Mango Bar area. DONT SHOP IN KOH SAMUI.. its a rip off. Wait to get to Bangkok, everything is a fraction of the price!! Bangkok was great. Dirty, but didnt matter because the cultural shock is delightful.

Bangkok is awesome. I have been there twice. The first time was in June 1998. We took the train from Kuala Lumpur. My husband and I stayed in the Kaosan Road area. It is a well-know area to backpackers but we were well into our 50's at the time and felt right at home. The temples are truly awesome and the Reclining Buddha has to be seen to be believed. We also enjoyed taking the river boats that are part of the city's transportation system. You have to be quick getting on and off as the boatmen don't waste any time pulling in and pulling out of the piers. We took a great day trip to Ayutthaya, the old capital, and the Summer Palace. It was totally worthwhile even though we travelled in a hot and dusty mini-bus. My husband and I both had massages while we were there. The price is right and the service is wonderful. We also left by train to Ko Samiu. The second time was in March 2004. I was at a conference and stayed at a 5 star hotel. I had a sweeping view of the river from my balcony and was treated to a fireworks display right outside my window. Both times I found the shopping to be great. If you bargain well you can get some great Thai silk garments at a great price.

Lived there for over 10 years and still miss some things about it. Great people and food, wonderful beaches (in the south of Thailand) and you can live the lifestyle you want ... cheap for backpackers but also some of the best hotels in the world. Good Thai people are among the best you can imagine. Corruption is bad, pollution is bad but the good far outweighs the bad. Here's a sampling of things to do: 1) Wat Po for massage (real massage done by the blind) - very strong hands and they can sense things you can't imagine 2) Buffet lunches at any of the 4 or 5 star hotels - very reasonable prices 3) Get on any 3 baht red bus and just watch daily life 4) Take the river boat from one end to the other, about 20 baht and very refreshing 5) Wake up early and watch the Thais give alms to the monks 6) Visit Little India and Chinatown, they're almost next to each other 7) Weekend (Chatuchak or JJ) Market 8) Lumpini Park for Tai Chi in the morning ... just to name a few.

Still good. Go to a nearest massage parlor and take two ladies for two hours of wholesome fun!

Great place, but beware the ladyboys!

I love Thai food, and I've heard many great things about Bangkok, which is Thailand's biggest city. Bangkok has an exotic mix of ancient and modern culture with beautiful canals, palaces, Buddhist temples, huge outdoor markets as well as grand shopping malls and eye-catching high-rises. Bangkok's friendly, service-oriented culture and unique allure help make it a popular Southeast Asian tourist destination. Unfortunately, the city has also gained some international notoriety because many tourists help the (illegal)prostitution business thrive, much to the embarrassment of many Thai people. As a bad joke goes, male travelers are taking the two syllables in Bangkok too literally.

thailand rocks! bangkok must be one hell of a city.

It is fun. The Emperor's Palace (man, is that what it was called?) is in the middle of the city is a very nice place to visit. Beware of the dress code! The tourist/foreigner ghetto is Khao San Road. . .plenty of cheap hotels/restraunts/bars. . .good place to pick up tourist information or transportation to the beaches and resorts. Thailand does have beautiful beaches. . .I will never waste my time at an American beach again. Thailand is very cheap once you get there, but be careful about getting pickpocketed or ripped off. Thais are generally very friendly people. A great place to spend 10 days to 2 weeks if you are near the beach. Also- Thai food is some of the best in Asia.

I love Thailand, period. This city is great, with an exeptional amount of things to do.

Bangkok is unbelievable, but you have to be able to deal with chaos and lots of stimuli! The nicest people in the world for a city this size, totally modern but astonishingly traditional at the same time, and hands-down best food in the world.

Some great things to see and my futeur home. The pollution and traffic detract from an otherwise exceptional place.

Grand Palace is Awesome...all those whats and the reclining buddha...