A fun survey from Bangkok city free lifestyle publication BK Magazine highlights what upsets the most Bangkokians and foreigners in the Thai capital… A very instructive reading!
The title spreads all over the cover of the free publication ‘BK Magazine’ dated from August 17: ‘What Really Pisses you Off, Bangkok?’ the magazine questioned. Being a resident in Bangkok is certainly very different of the experience of travellers. What generally delight tourists most of the time “piss off” locals. Such as people selling stuff or food on any free square centimeter of Bangkok’s pavement…
The top most annoying elements for a life in Bangkok can surprise: 57% of surveyed people cited the “Terrible traffic”; far behind 17% cited the lack of parks while 16% named the pollution. But very surprising is that 10% of the surveyed readers complaint about “too many malls”. The irony is that there is little chance of dramatic changes –except the fact that the city is less polluted today than ten years ago thanks to cleaner vehicles and the development of a dedicated public transport system. But infamous traffic jams are unlikely to disappear overnight, while instead of developing parks, real estate companies are still looking to build at least another 20 to 30 malls all around town!
Looking at the way to go around town, answers from BK Magazine readers should give food for thought to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) but also to the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism… What annoy the most residents are the pot-holed sidewalks full of motorcycles and stalls (51%) followed by taxis who refuse to go to the destination (34%) and the lack of public transportation in some parts of the city (11%). Only 4% judges the lack of bicycle lanes a problem…
The magazine looks at various other topics –probably less serious. But among things which irritate BK magazine’s respondents are a few funny answers: 32% feel pissed off by “brand-obsessed hi-so” (high society or their wannabe); 58% feel upset by clueless waiters while 49% judges Thailand’s Ministry of Culture interventions out of place (a nicely said expression for censorship) while 25% feels annoyed by the obsession with Thai identity! But what ever the complaints, most probably most of the residents and visitors will still agree that Bangkok is a fun place to be and to live.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
