5 things to know when coming to Bangkok

A place that gives you the chance to be yourself

Even if you have never been to Bangkok, you may have read somewhere about the large LGBT community in Bangkok. It is easy to imagine Bangkok with colorfully dressed transgender people performing in sex shows on the adult streets, or effeminate gay men wearing heavy makeup, arm in arm with masculine women with flat chests. These are very superficial things about the LGBT community here, many people may even think it is a social evil. But after living in Bangkok for a while, you will see that the comfort and freedom of this community is typical of the diversity of Bangkok, a city that gives you the opportunity to be yourself.

From a more everyday perspective, don’t be surprised if the cashier at 7-eleven wears a name tag with a photo of a man or if the charming female boss at work is a transgender. I was once very surprised at my company’s year-end party, witnessed by many senior leaders, the opening performance was a dance by a group of employees of all ages, nationalities, and ranks. They loudly introduced themselves at the end of the performance: “I work in the SCM department and am a transgender”, or “I am from the electricity management department” with this guy’s very everyday gestures… Thailand in general and Bangkok in particular, amidst its colorful and seemingly crazy pace of life, is a diversity and civilization where a person can be themselves without any influence on who they want to become.

Love of animals

Walking in Bangkok, it is easy to see cats and dogs sleeping or playing on the sidewalk. They can be stray cats or dogs wearing collars. They are often petted, fed, or even slept on a stranger's lap. Every morning, I used to walk to work and pass by a bus stop. People waiting for the bus there were never allowed to sit because their chairs were already covered in sleeping cats, so they stood or sat quietly in a corner, afraid of waking them up. In front of the company building, at rush hour, there was a brown cat sleeping right in the middle of the walkway, refusing to lie down anywhere else, and everyone would walk around the other door or avoid the cat instead of moving it to a more tidy place.

I don’t remember how many dogs I played with and how many cats I hugged that I met along the way in 5 months in Bangkok. For me, the sign of a humane and loving society is the friendliness and closeness of animals to the people around them. Only when people consider themselves equal and respect other species can they love and be forgiving to their fellow human beings. Bangkok is a rare city that has shown me that my belief is correct.

Bangkok welcomes you!

I came to Bangkok as a student with a very small wallet and lived in Bangkok in a luxury apartment. I realized that whether I was poor or rich, ordinary or luxurious, Bangkok could always be generous and invite me to have a good time.

Except for a few specific places, most places don't require you to have much money to enter. You can have a lot of money to buy branded goods and still be fascinated by cheap items in the vast flea markets. You can also not have a thick wallet but still be welcomed by luxury shopping areas like Siam, Central World... Bangkok will never make you shy away from its prosperity or bored by its simplicity. These two extremes are so harmonious that you won't even realize that after about ten steps, the popular Pratunam market has transformed into the classy Central World. A person who has been in Bangkok for a long time may often drive an expensive car, but when stuck in traffic, he will probably be familiar with public transportation that costs a few dozen baht to go around the city such as BTS, MRT, bus, even... motorbike taxi or motorboat. That's why I often joke, Bangkok is for everyone!

A society influenced by religion in a civilized way

Thailand is known as the land of golden temples, of course, not just because of... the many temples. With more than 95% of the population following Buddhism, Buddhism has become the national religion of Thailand and has a profound influence on the culture and human characteristics of this country. Deeply imbued with the humane and benevolent spirit of Buddhism, Thailand has become a gentle society, full of forgiveness and generosity. During the 5 months working in Bangkok, I have not seen any colleagues or customers showing negative attitudes towards each other. Even in the worst situation, when the hot-tempered girl made me want to go crazy, my colleagues still just smiled and said: "Here we follow Buddhism, so do the customers. So no one ever gets angry or aggressive towards each other."

5 months in Bangkok is not long but it really awakened me to a lot of forgiveness and generosity. When no one is angry with you, you will not be fierce with anyone. All the problems in daily life will be wiped away with a smile because Buddhism encourages tolerance. The remaining 5% of the population, even though they follow other religions, are still treated equally and respected without any discrimination. The time in Bangkok was the first time I, a proud atheist, realized how wonderful it would be if a society was regulated by religion in a civilized and fair way.

"Thai style beauty"

When it comes to plastic surgery and beauty craze, Thailand is probably second only to Korea. There are many surgery centers around Bangkok, with all kinds of eyes, nose, chin, upper and lower left and right. Bangkokians also love makeup and they wear it very heavily. In public places or at work, it is hard to find a girl who does not wear makeup. But unlike other Asian countries that always use Japan, Korea or the West as the standard of beauty, beauty in Bangkok still revolves around a standard that is very Thai style. Regardless of Korean-style clear makeup or Western-style contouring, most women in Bangkok still prefer thick powder, prominent rosy cheeks and sharp eyeliner. If you pay attention to beauty or know how to observe a little, you will see that Thai makeup is unmistakable. The same goes for the way of dressing. In an era where Korean style has become a wave spreading throughout Asia, Bangkok still maintains its own spirit through very Thai clothes and jewelry. I don't know if there is any Buddhist influence or not, but most of the motifs are elaborate and colorful; the main colors are also brown, yellow, white... which makes me can't help but think of the temples in Bangkok.

Of course, it cannot be said that Bangkok is completely free from Korean or Western influence. But overall, the spirit of “Thai beauty” is still very prominent. It is a very clear sign of a country that is conscious of preserving its national identity and identity. Thai beauty makes Bangkok unmistakable in the eyes of a foreigner like me.

Until now, after half a year back in the country and writing these lines, my heart still carries a feeling of nostalgia and a special affection for Bangkok. Bangkok is still present on me through the 70 baht bracelet I wear on my right wrist, or the loose-fitting orange-brown Thai shirt, the colorful pants I often wear to yoga, and even through my English accent that has changed at some point. And as I always say, you cannot remember a place without the presence of the people who are attached to it.

Hai Linh