Initial Impression of Bangkok? It's Cool AF

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bangkok, but I’m already in awe. I’ll try to dial back my excitement a bit. After all, at the time of writing this, I’ve been here only 5 days. When I first heard comparisons of Bangkok to New York City, I saw it as an interesting compliment to Bangkok, but I already feel it may actually be much more of a compliment to New York. Bangkok is a sprawling, lively international metropolis that somehow has everything.

Now, when I say it has everything, it also has some not-so-good things. As an Iranian, it’s been quite amusing to me to see how Thailand and Bangkok, in particular, have gained this portrait of the ultimate Asian sin city. Even in American media, Bangkok has a not-so-pure image. I had luckily seen enough positive portrayals of Thailand to recognize that this was one angle of the country, but still I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bangkok.

Again, I’ve only been here for 5 days, but it is already very apparent to me that Bangkok cannot so easily be summed up in negative terms. It is an organized, modern, social, entrepreneurial, multicultural machine. I don’t easily get awestruck these days, but I am truly fascinated by what this city offers. For my digital nomad lifestyle, it seems the nearest to perfect I’ve experienced. Whatever I need—food, gym, cafe, social events—are very available, affordable, and in close proximity. It is thus no wonder at all that the Nomad List website has Bangkok currently ranked as the number one city for digital nomads worldwide.

I’m excited to have a prolonged stay in a city that is as warm, friendly, fascinating, and comfortable as Bangkok. I hope to have more to share from it very soon.

Thanks for reading.

Take care,

Naser