Bangkok named fourth friendliest city in the world

The votes are in: Thai smiles are genuine and Thai hearts are warm. The Kingdom’s capital Bangkok was named the fourth friendliest city in the world in a survey conducted by Conde Nast Traveler as part of its annual Reader’s Choice Awards.

“Bangkok consistently ranks as one of the most visited cities in the world, and it is easy to see why,” the magazine wrote on its website. “The Thai capital has a multifaceted identity that blends history and culture with modern luxury, with high-rise hotels sharing skyline space with ancient temples and Buddha statues.”

Aside from some of the more famous attractions including the Grand Palace and beautiful temples, the magazine recommended visiting “the countless street food stalls backed by smiling vendors.”

Conde Nast Traveler said that its Reader’s Choice Awards for the Friendliest Cities, focuses on “where you felt welcome when you traveled. Did an outgoing local go out of their way to give you directions? Was the city easy to navigate? Did you simply get good vibes from the people around you?”

The vibes were all positive in Bangkok, officially known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, according to Traveler’s readers. Another city in Southeast Asia to make the top ten was Singapore in ninth place.

Readers rated Kralendijk, the capital of the Dutch Caribbean Island of Bonaire, as number one in friendliness. The magazine also ranked the world’s most unfriendly cities.

“Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and that does not just refer to the tourists. Fashions and trends come and go, but one thing Thai people always seem to be wearing is a smile – and here, it will never go out of fashion,” according to the Culture Trip website.

“The friendliness of the people is evident from the get go; taxi drivers will ask where you are from and will make an effort to connect with you, whether it is mentioning a football team or asking about your travel plans. Anywhere you go in the country, there will be people wanting to engage with you, and that is a likeable quality in our books,” the website wrote.

Photo courtesy of: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/