| Travel and Leisure, an American based magazine | | | | Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, American, |
| devoted to tourism, recently published their 13th | | | | Japanese etc - and a most titillating nightlife. In |
| annual travel poll. Bangkok, Thailand's cosmopolitan | | | | addition, Bangkok has some of the finest luxury |
| capital city, was voted by their readers as the | | | | hotels in the world - not necessarily where I stay |
| top city destination in the world. In the poll of the | | | | when I go to Bangkok, as I'm partial to more |
| world's best hotels,, India and luxury tented camp | | | | humble surroundings. For a large city, Bangkok is |
| resorts in East and South Africa dominated the | | | | one of the safest in the world. On the downside, |
| rankings. Keep in mind that Travel & Leisure's | | | | like most big cities, Bangkok has horrendous |
| readership is mostly American - as travelers, they | | | | traffic jams and the air is very polluted. Bottom |
| are not the budget, backpacker types and their | | | | line, if you're a foodie and shopping is your thing, |
| choice in accommodations is geared towards | | | | then you'll love Bangkok. |
| deluxe and luxury resort hotels. | | | | My personal take - I must admit that while I am |
| Why is Bangkok #1? I can understand why | | | | not particularity fond of big cities, I find the City |
| travelers from the west (farangs) would be | | | | of Angels to be absolutely fascinating. Despite |
| attracted to the City of Angels. Bangkok has that | | | | concessions to modernity and to the West, |
| magical allure - in many respects it is very | | | | Bangkok carefully maintains the essence of Siam |
| westernized but at the same time it is so very | | | | culture - the old ways and traditions remain as |
| exotic and foreign. Pluses are fantastic shopping | | | | strong as ever. Notwithstanding numerous trips |
| opportunities, a variety of fascinating cultural | | | | there, Bangkok continues to be a puzzle and |
| attractions, a great selection of fine restaurants | | | | mystery to me. Maybe that's the reason I keep |
| representing cuisines from around the world - | | | | returning - to solve the puzzle. |