Why We Couldn't Love Bangkok: The Reality Behind the Glamour

My girlfriend and I are digital nomads. We work as freelancers and don’t have a permanent home, staying in Airbnbs and moving countries every 2–3 months.

When moving to Bangkok, we knew that things weren’t perfect. There was air pollution and bad traffic, and it’s a developing country, and we were prepared for that.

However, we didn’t expect such dramatic social inequality. It is a major downside of Bangkok that I feel is barely mentioned on social media.

The illusion of development

If you search for Bangkok on social media, you will see many influencers, usually from the UK, hyping it up and calling it the greatest city in the world.

They show the luxury parts of Bangkok — the restaurants, malls, gyms and condos — and paint a picture that it is a great up-and-coming country, soon to be developed and first-world.

I assumed this also meant that things were looking up for the average Thai, that a brighter future was just around the corner.

We realized this is far from the truth. All those luxuries are enjoyed by less than 10% of Bangkok’s population: the elite — rich Thais and foreigners. Similarly, all those nice places cover only around 10% of Bangkok’s surface area.

The reality of Bangkok is quite different. The majority of the city is dirty and polluted. This is where most working-class Thais live.

The shiny developed Bangkok is not real, it’s just a playground for the rich. I don’t see how it could be sustainable. None of these luxuries would exist if not for the underpaid workforce.

As I’m living here and enjoying these luxuries, I can’t shake the feeling of guilt.

When I pay for a nice dinner, I’m very aware it costs more than the waiter earns in their entire day of work.

What makes a great city?

I guess it comes down to what your criteria for a ‘great’ city and a developed country. Is it the shiny new skyscrapers? Or is it about the life of everyday people living there?

I had this conversation with a friend, regarding civilizations of the past. He argued they were great because of the architectural wonders they built. I disagreed because they were built off the backs of slavery — it wouldn’t have been done without it.

Besides the question of the workforce, another important criterion for me is how much of the city is made for the public — for the good of society.

I’m talking about things like public parks and gardens, playgrounds for children, beaches and forest trails, public toilets, cycling paths and walkable roads.

In other words, how well can you live without spending money? How well can the elderly live? How easy is it to get around the city? To access clean air and water? To get an education so that you can eventually earn more?

Perhaps I sound like a communist. Maybe I am one, but I find it selfish and foolish to not pool our resources for the betterment of society.

Why visit a country?

When I move to a new country, I want to experience the culture there.

Every culture excels in something and fails at something else. I want to see what they are better at, and perhaps adopt some of their habits. So I want to mingle with normal people and “do as the Romans do”.

In Thailand, this doesn’t seem possible. The majority of Thais do not have much choice over their lifestyle. They are not able to live as they prefer, and thus cannot fully express their culture.

Despite these difficulties, what continues to surprise us is that Thai people have not turned to scams and crime, as many would in other countries. This attitude is really special and unique.

“But tourist money helps Thailand”

I’m not an economist, but I have a hunch that tourism isn’t good for Thailand. From what I see, most of the money goes into the pockets of wealthy hotel and restaurant owners, not the average working class Thai.

It also perpetuates a cycle where everyone is working a service job and no other industries are being developed. Tourism is just a short-term fix. Perhaps without tourism, things would be better in the long-term.

After living for a month in Bangkok, I can’t shake the feeling of guilt and privilege. Foreigners can enjoy this country much more than locals can. I don’t know how people ignore this and continue calling Bangkok one of the world’s best cities.

A truly great city is one that serves all its people, not just those who can afford it. Development isn’t about skyscrapers or malls — it’s about quality of life, and opportunity.

Maybe the real question isn’t whether Bangkok is developing, but who it’s developing for.