Everything most of us know about Bangkok has to do with exotic food, illicit massage parlors, beautiful beaches or thrift shopping. Parodied in cringy films and unjustly reduced to stereotypes, Asia’s “City of Angels” is a unique metropolis where spirituality and hedonism coexist. Today, every corner of this city is abuzz with activity—thanks to a surge in visitors from Russia taking advantage of no sanctions and easy passage as they escape conscription to Ukraine’s killing fields and Russia’s general self-inflicted misery. All this activity is set amidst Thailand’s own volatile political scene, with crippling street demonstrations last year after Pita Limjaroenrat was barred from running for prime minister. That hasn’t stopped the city from rising up the ranks, with a Top 3 position in our overall Lovability index thanks to its #1 rankings for both Facebook Check-ins and Tripadvisor Reviews (to say nothing of its #2 spots in both Nightlife and Shopping). Bangkok’s nightlife remains electrifying, with rooftop bars such as The Penthouse Bar + Grill at Park Hyatt and new speakeasies and other after-dark concepts continuing to redefine the city’s serpentine nocturnal experience.
The city’s investment in high-speed rail connectivity will transform it into a hub of Southeast Asia’s transport network by 2028, making the sweet sensory overload that is Bangkok more accessible than ever. Additionally, the Suvarnabhumi Airport Expansion—set for completion in 2026—will increase annual passenger capacity by 30 million, making the city more connected and accessible than ever.
Bangkok’s urban building momentum shows no signs of slowing, as ambitious development and hospitality projects reshape the city’s landscape. The recent unveiling of the Bangkok Central Park—a sprawling 60-acre green oasis in the heart of the city—reflects a commitment to livability and sustainability, offering cycling paths, a lake and spaces for public art installations. Watch for the city’s #20 Nature & Parks subcategory to improve as a result. Alongside this, the Benjakitti Forest Park Expansion, completed in 2024, has transformed an old tobacco factory site into a lush, biodiverse sanctuary for city-dwellers craving respite from the traffic: both motorized and human.