Thailand’s sprawling, bustling, never-ever-sleeping capital is a city that raises strong emotions in people. But despite visitors’ love/hate reactions, there’s no place like it on earth. The world’s hottest metropolis steams with energy, its many millions of residents seemingly in constant motion. Unless, of course, they are stuck in one of the city’s infamous traffic jams.
This is the best plan: When you arrive in Bangkok, go ahead and embrace the chaos. Wade into the crashing waves of humanity at the markets. Climb into the back of a tuk-tuk and allow the sensory overload—aural, visual, and even olfactory—to wash over you. But make sure to find a little peace, too, at the temples and on the river.
