5 things you need to know when visiting Bangkok

A place that gives you the opportunity to be yourself.

Even if you've never been to Bangkok, you've probably read somewhere about the large LGBT community there. It's easy to picture Bangkok with transgender people dressed in flamboyant outfits, performing in countless sex shows in adult districts, and effeminate gay men wearing heavy makeup and linking arms with tomboyish women with flat chests. These are just the superficial aspects of the LGBT community here, and many might even consider them a problem. But only after living in Bangkok for a while will you realize that the comfort and freedom of this community are typical of Bangkok's diversity, 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 picture of a man, or if your charming female boss is transgender. I was once very surprised at my company's year-end party. In front of many senior executives, the opening performance was a dance by a group of employees of all ages, nationalities, and ranks. They confidently introduced themselves at the end of the performance: "I work in the SCM department and I am transgender," or "I'm from the power management department," with the very natural, flamboyant gestures of this guy... Thailand in general, and Bangkok in particular, amidst its colorful and seemingly crazy pace of life, is a place of diversity and civility where a person can be themselves without affecting who they want to become.

Love of animals

Walking around Bangkok, you'll often see dogs and cats sleeping or playing on the sidewalks. These could be strays or dogs and cats wearing collars. They're often petted, fed, or even slept on the laps of strangers by passersby. In the past, I used to walk to work every morning and pass by a bus stop. People waiting for the bus never got to sit because the seats were always occupied by cats that arrived early and fell asleep. They would stand or quietly sit in a corner, afraid of waking the cats. In front of my company building, every day at closing time, there would be a brown cat sleeping right in the middle of the walkway, refusing to sleep anywhere else. People would either take a different exit or avoid the cat instead of moving it to a more convenient spot.

I can't remember how many dogs I played with or how many cats I hugged during my five months in Bangkok. For me, the hallmark of a humane and compassionate 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 truly love and forgive their fellow human beings. Bangkok is one of the rare cities that showed me my belief was correct.

Bangkok welcomes you!

I visited Bangkok as a student with a very limited budget and even lived in a luxury apartment. I realized that whether I was poor or rich, ordinary or luxurious, Bangkok could always generously offer me a wonderful time.

Except for a few specific places, most locations don't require a specific amount of money to enter. You can have plenty of money to buy designer goods and still be captivated by the inexpensive items in the vast open-air markets. You can also go without a thick wallet and still be welcomed by luxurious shopping malls like Siam and Central World. Bangkok will never make you feel intimidated by its opulence or overwhelmed by its down-to-earth nature. These two extremes blend so harmoniously that you won't even realize you've stepped from the humble Pratunam market a dozen steps into the upscale Central World. A long-time Bangkok resident might drive an expensive car, but during traffic jams, they'll likely be familiar with the city's public transportation options costing a few dozen baht, such as the BTS, MRT, buses, and even... motorbike taxis or motorboats. That's why I often joke, Bangkok is for everyone!

A society influenced by religion in a civilized way.

Thailand, known as the land of golden temples, is certainly not just famous for its many temples. With over 95% of its population practicing Buddhism, it has become the national religion and has a profound influence on the country's culture and people. Deeply imbued with the humanistic and compassionate spirit of Buddhism, Thailand has become a gentle society, full of forgiveness and generosity. During my five months working in Bangkok, I never saw a single colleague or client exhibit any negative attitude towards one another. Even in the worst-case scenario, when I, being hot-tempered, wanted to lose my temper, my colleagues would just smile and say, "Here, we follow Buddhism, and so do our clients. So no one ever gets angry or aggressive towards each other."

Five months in Bangkok wasn't long, but it truly awakened me to the importance of altruism and generosity. When no one is angry with you, you can't be harsh with anyone either. All the problems of daily life are resolved with a smile because Buddhism encourages tolerance. The remaining 5% of the population, regardless of their religion, are treated equally and respected without any discrimination. My time in Bangkok was the first time I, an atheist and someone I've always been proud of, realized how wonderful a society can be when religion is regulated in a civilized and fair way.

"Thai-style beauty"

When it comes to cosmetic surgery and beauty obsession, Thailand is probably second only to South Korea. Bangkok is teeming with surgery centers, offering all kinds of procedures – eyes, noses, chins, upper and lower body, left and right. Bangkok residents also love makeup, and they wear it quite heavily. In public places or workplaces, it's hard to find a woman without makeup. But unlike other Asian countries that always use Japan, Korea, or the West as beauty standards, beauty in Bangkok still revolves around a distinctly Thai style. Regardless of whether it's the dewy Korean makeup or the Western contouring, most women in Bangkok prefer thick foundation, prominent rosy cheeks, and sharply defined eyes. If you pay attention to beauty or observe carefully, you'll see that Thai-style makeup is unmistakable. The same goes for clothing. In an era where Korean style has become a wave spreading across Asia, Bangkok still maintains its unique spirit through its distinctly Thai clothing and jewelry. I don't know if there's any Buddhist influence at all, but most of the patterns are elaborate and colorful; the dominant colors are brown, yellow, and white… which inevitably reminds me of temples in Bangkok.

Of course, it's impossible to say that Bangkok is completely unaffected by Korean or Western influences. But overall, the spirit of "Thai beauty" is still very prominent. It's a very clear sign of a country that consciously preserves its national identity and character. Thai beauty makes Bangkok unmistakable in the eyes of a foreigner like me.

Even now, six months after returning home and typing these words, my heart still carries a deep longing and a special affection for Bangkok. Bangkok is still present in me through the 70-baht bracelet I wear on my right wrist, the loose-fitting brown-orange Thai-style shirt, the colorful pants I often wear to yoga, and even through my English accent, which has somehow changed. And as I always say, you can't remember a place without the presence of the people you were connected to there.

Hai Linh