✅ Updated on 21.11.2025
Pros of Bangkok
The advantages of living in Bangkok are listed in no particular order.
✅ Southeast Asia’s Travel Hub with Direct Flights Everywhere
Bangkok is essentially the hub of Southeast Asia. From here, you can fly directly to almost any country in the region. Want to visit Vietnam or South Korea? No problem — direct flights are available. If I were living in Phuket, for example, I’d have to connect through Bangkok first.
I’m not flying every month, but just knowing I don’t have to deal with layovers is a huge plus.
✅ T-Shirt Weather All Year Round
It’s hot — really hot. For some, that might be a downside, but I’m not complaining. Every time I think back to Russian winters, I’d much rather sweat in the heat than layer up and walk through snow and ice.
I’ve been in Bangkok for over a year now, and I haven’t once needed a sweater to stay warm.
✅ Bangkok Is Thailand’s Logistics Hub
First, you can fly directly from Bangkok to almost any airport in Thailand. Second, thanks to its central location, it’s easy to drive to just about any part of the country. Third, Bangkok is home to Thailand’s main railway station — Krungthep Aphiwat — with trains heading in all directions.
If your goal is to explore different provinces of Thailand, Bangkok is the perfect base. You could easily take weekend trips to a new place every time.
Here’s an article on how to travel around Thailand by train, and 12Go Asia is a great site for booking bus and ferry tickets.
🚘 When I travel from Bangkok to other provinces, I usually rent a car through Local Rent. I typically get a Toyota Yaris Ativ for around $40/day, with unlimited mileage, no credit card required, and the deposit returned on the spot. Super convenient.
✅ Luxury or Budget — Bangkok Has It All
Even though Bangkok is a massive metropolis — and the most visited city in the world in 2024 (source) — life here remains surprisingly affordable. Whether you’re looking to live on a budget or in full-on luxury, Bangkok offers both options.
- Housing: You can rent an apartment just 10 minutes from the city center for $300–$400 per month. Or splurge on a penthouse overlooking Benjakitti Park for $6,000. Personally, I rented a unit at KnightBridge Prime On Nut for $460, while a friend of mine lived across the street for $370. That’s just four BTS stops from Asok — practically downtown. 👉 For a detailed guide, check out how to rent a condo in Bangkok.
- Food: In almost every part of Bangkok, you’ll find local meals for around $2 — even in the business district near the Mahanakhon Tower (here’s a Google Maps spot where I ate). Just search for “food court” and you’re set. Of course, you can also dine at a European restaurant where dishes run $15–$20 — it all depends on your taste and budget.
- Transportation: The MRT and BTS cost about $1–$1.50 per ride. Songthaews (shared pickup trucks with benches) are around 30 cents. Canal boats cost up to 50 cents. A short ride on a motorbike taxi is about $1. Yet on the same streets — like Sukhumvit — you’ll see Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Every level of life coexists here.
Personally, seeing luxury cars and the fast-paced lifestyle motivates me to earn more. When I lived in Da Nang, Vietnam, the vibe was way more laid-back. Bangkok, on the other hand, pushes you to move forward and stay sharp.
✅ Stunning Views Everywhere
Picture this: you ride the elevator up to the 40th floor of your condo, step into the gym, and start your cardio session with a panoramic view of the city. Below, a BTS train glides by, a green park stretches nearby — and afterward, you head to the rooftop pool with a full 360° skyline view. Pretty amazing, right? In Bangkok, this isn’t luxury — it’s standard living.
It’s also totally normal to catch sunset at a rooftop bar, with great music and craft cocktails. One of my favorites is Tichuca — a super atmospheric spot.
That said, if you’ve got a beach and ocean in view, rooftop vibes hit even harder. I’d say the panorama at Horizon in Pattaya is actually better than Tichuca’s — just being honest.
✅ Surprisingly Green for a Megacity
Bangkok may be packed with skyscrapers, concrete, and dense development — everything you’d expect from a big city. But it’s also shockingly green. Parks, vertical gardens, and rooftop greenery make you feel like you’re not trapped in a concrete box, but in a city that actually cares about nature.
The most famous parks are Benjakitti, Lumphini, and Chatuchak — all of them feel like real escapes into nature. And that’s not all — there are lesser-known green spaces too, which I cover in a separate article on Bangkok’s parks.
What I especially love is how even the concrete columns of the BTS Skytrain are “camouflaged” with plants. They’re surrounded by greenery, watered, trimmed — clearly well-maintained.
Some buildings have palm trees and full-grown plants sprouting from their walls. New condos often feature green corners or even gardens where residents can relax as if they’re in nature.
✅ You Can Get Around Fast — Even with Traffic
Yes, Bangkok has traffic — especially downtown during rush hour. But the city is well-designed: you can take expressways (paid highways) and get from one end of the city to the other surprisingly fast.
✅ A Shopper’s Paradise
If you love shopping, Bangkok is a dream come true. You’ll find everything imaginable — from top global fashion brands and the latest smartphones to luxury cars like Ferraris and McLarens — all readily available.
The city’s selection of shopping malls is massive, with some even specializing in specific categories. For example:
- Fortune Town — electronics: cameras, lighting gear, microphones, and more
- FBT Sport Complex — an enormous variety of sports gear
✅ Fitness for (Almost) Free
Staying active in Bangkok is incredibly affordable — sometimes even free. A few examples:
- Lumphini Park has an open-air gym that’s completely free.
- Chatuchak Park also has a nearly free fitness area.
- There’s even a quirky gym located in a Chinese cemetery where a drop-in session costs just 20 baht.
How about kayaking or paddling a pedal boat — for free? You can do that in Lumphini, Benjakitti, and Chatuchak parks. Or rent a bicycle for the day for just 40 baht at Rot Fai Park or the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan botanical garden.
And it gets even better. Bangkok has over 40 sports complexes run by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. For just 300 baht per year (about $9), you can:
- Sail, kayak, or windsurf for free
- Play table tennis, badminton, soccer, and basketball for free as well
- Rent a tennis court for just $7 an hour
✅ Endless Activities — Whatever You’re Into
Chances are, whatever sport or activity you’re into, you’ll find it in Bangkok. Here’s just a sample:
- Shooting ranges (location)
- Archery (location)
- Horseback riding (location)
- Ice skating (location)
- Wakeboarding (location)
- Skate parks (location)
- Wakesurfing (location)
- Rock climbing (location)
- Padel (location)
You might think, “Okay, but surely there’s no snowboarding in Bangkok.” Actually, there is — here’s the location.
✅ Bangkok Is Incredibly Diverse
Bangkok is a mix of neighborhoods and cultures — thanks to both its size and its large expat community.
You’ll find a Korean town, Japanese area, Arab quarter, Indian neighborhoods, Chinatown, a Burmese enclave, and even a zone with Portuguese-style architecture. Some areas are full of skyscrapers and business centers, while others are working-class port communities with gritty charm.
Each area has its own vibe — different smells, languages, foods, building styles, and energy.
That’s one thing I love: you never get bored. You can explore different cultures without ever leaving the city.
✅ There’s Always Something New in Bangkok
If you’re living in a small town and feel like nothing ever happens — Bangkok is the opposite. Here, something’s always changing: new cafes open weekly, festivals pop up, exhibitions, fairs, and events are constantly happening.
For example:
- Formula 1 is scheduled to take place in Bangkok between 2028–2032.
- In summer 2025, there was a Squid Game-themed festival — complete with a giant doll installation like the one from the show. Everyone was taking photos and posting to Instagram.
✅ Bangkok Is a City for Locals — Not Just Tourists
This is exactly why I lived in Da Nang, not Nha Trang, when I was in Vietnam — and why I chose Bangkok over Phuket in Thailand.
Bangkok isn’t a tourist bubble. It’s a real Thai city. Most people here are locals — many of them migrants from other provinces. I get to experience Thai culture without leaving the city. No need to head out to remote villages to see how Thais live — it’s all around you. And at the same time, you still have comfort and solid infrastructure.
✅ Tons of Conferences and Events
Bangkok regularly hosts conferences, expos, and meetups on just about every topic imaginable:
- Sales
- Business
- Marketing
- Public speaking
- Videography
- Online gaming
Many of these events are free or low-cost. For example, I once attended an exhibition showcasing the latest in photo and video gear. You could:
- Test out drones
- Try streaming equipment
- Chat with brand reps
You can easily find events like this on zipeventapp.com — there’s always something happening in the city.
✅ Food From Every Corner of the World
I’m not a foodie — I eat mostly for energy — but I still appreciate that Bangkok offers cuisine from almost every country.
As I mentioned earlier, the city has neighborhoods shaped by expats and immigrants. And naturally, the food scene follows.
A few examples:
- Craving Turkish baklava? Easy to find (it’s actually my favorite dessert).
- You can even get a free meal at a Sikh temple.
- Italian, French, and Mexican restaurants? Plenty of options.
And don’t even get me started on Thai food. It’s everywhere — and not just central Thai dishes. You’ll find khao soi from the north and a range of other regional specialties. That’s because many Thais from other provinces move to Bangkok and open their own little eateries.
Cons of Living in Bangkok
For me, the pros of living in Bangkok far outweigh the cons — but there are a few things you should definitely be aware of.
❌ Noise from Motorbikes and Traffic
Bangkok is loud. Here’s why:
- Tons of cars and motorbikes
- Some bikes have modified (and very loud) exhaust systems
- Tuk-tuks also add to the chaos
If you live in a high-rise condo facing a busy street, you’ll definitely hear a constant hum with the windows open.
How to deal with the noise:
- Choose units on lower floors
- Avoid buildings right on main roads
- Look for spots where other buildings block out street sound
❌ Traffic Jams
If you’re trying to get into or out of the city center during rush hour — brace yourself. It’s intense. The roads are packed with cars and motorbikes.
Drivers have it worse, since motorbikes can still squeeze between lanes.
How to deal with traffic: Use the BTS or MRT during peak hours. But there’s a catch — the trains get super crowded.
❌ Alcohol in Bars and Clubs Is Pricey
If you love going out, Bangkok delivers on vibe — but hits your wallet hard. Drink prices at bars and clubs are steep:
- Cocktails or a glass of wine: around $15
- Beer: about $6
(And don’t forget the 7% VAT and 10% service charge on top of that.)
For comparison, in Da Nang (Vietnam), beer goes for under $2 and cocktails max out at $8. Even in places like Chiang Mai, Buriram, Koh Chang, Pattaya, or Phuket — prices are noticeably lower than in Bangkok, based on my own experience.
How to deal with it:
- Option A: Earn more
- Option B: Stop drinking…
Wait — scratch that second one. That was dumb. 😅
❌ Flooded Streets During Rainy Season
Flooding doesn’t happen everywhere, but it does hit low-lying streets — especially smaller side roads branching off the main avenues. These alleyways can get seriously waterlogged during heavy rain.
September and October are the peak rainy season. I still remember one evening in late September: I was sitting in a café when a storm hit. I waited for the rain to slow down, then hopped on my motorbike to head home. Some roads had nearly 20 cm of water — I was literally floating through this stretch… on a motorbike. 😄
❌ Rats and Cockroaches
It’s not like they’re everywhere, but in certain neighborhoods, you’ll run into them — especially where trash bins are left out on the street. That’s where you’re most likely to spot cockroaches or the occasional rat.
One example? The area around Soi Cowboy — seen it myself.
That said, compared to places like Da Nang, Vietnam, Bangkok feels almost rat-free in comparison.
❌ No Beach in the City
Believe it or not — Bangkok doesn’t have a beach. Shocking, I know. 😄
To be fair, I don’t even swim in the sea that often, even when I live near it. But just having the ocean nearby is a vibe. I love riding along the waterfront in Pattaya or Da Nang, listening to the waves and soaking in the view.
You won’t get that in Bangkok. The closest beach is Bang Saen, about a 1.5-hour drive — located between Bangkok and Pattaya.
Still, I’ve accepted this trade-off — I mean, just look at all the pros I’ve listed above.
💬 If you live in Bangkok and have your own thoughts to add — drop a comment below. It’s always helpful to hear other people’s experiences, including pros and cons I might’ve missed.
