Bangkok
Bangkok is one of Asia’s youngest capital cities, having been founded in 1782, yet it is also one of the continent’s most crowded conurbations, with a population of over 10 million. The introduction of a subway and skytrain has done little to ease the chaotic traffic that chokes the city streets, and getting around presents a considerable challenge to new arrivals.
The city’s contrasts
The motivation to get around, however, is very strong as the city presents a dizzying range of contrasts, from temples that glitter in the tropical sun to fresh markets heaped with unfamiliar produce, from informative museums to rowdy boxing venues, from saucy cabaret shows to spirit houses thought to have magical powers.
That Thai smile