Formerly the epitome of the elderly Asian metropolis, in recent
years Bangkok has gone under the knife and emerged
as a rejuvenated starlet. Her wrinkles haven’t totally been
erased, but you might not notice them behind the everexpanding
public-transport system, air-conditioned megamalls
and international-standard restaurants.
But don’t take this to mean that there’s no more ‘real’
Bangkok. The Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew still sparkle
just as they did more than 200 years ago, and the
BTS (Skytrain) has had little impact on the shophouses of
Banglamphu or the canals of Thonburi. To really experience
the Bangkok of today, it’s necessary to explore both of these
worlds. Take the MRT (Metro) to hectic Chinatown or the
klorng boat to the chic Central World mall, and along the
way we’re certain you’ll fi nd that the old personality and
that new face culminate in one sexy broad indeed.