Bangkok named the 3rd-top destination in the world

[billyboy]

Bangkok has been named as one of the top most three tourist destinations in the world for 2012.

Only beaten by London UK and Paris France acording to a major cedit card survey by issuer.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2...-in-the-world/

Billy.

[Susana]

What I immediately noticed was that all three places mentioned are large cities. It makes me wonder what percentage of visitors to those three places never venture outside the city.

I feel that in all my time living in Thailand and visiting there, that I missed out by not seeing much of smaller towns and rural areas. I've long wanted to go to England, but I don't particularly mind if I miss London. It's like visiting the USA and only going to NYC or LA. Paris, however, has always been on my list.

Really, though, if one wants to see Thailand, it would be good to see a bit of each area, city and rural, mountain and seaside. The same goes for visiting any country, I suppose.

[visionchaser45]

Why anyone would want to go to a big city for a vaction is beyone me. I live and work in one of the biggest, Los Angeles, and a vaction to me is getting away from the city and enjoying a slower pace. Big cities have too much noise, too much traffic, too many people and are not the kind of place I go to relax. Hey, but to each his own. It's just not my cup of tea.

[Susana]

I'm sure many people reading this are thinking of places outside Bangkok well worth visiting. I really like what I have seen of Ayutthaya and would like to explore it further. Sukothai is another area for anyone who appreciates archaelogical ruins. With the help of the internet one can preview locations and decide whether or not to take a better look in person. I read online about a couple who visited wats all over Thailand as their vacation mission and documented what they saw in photos and descriptions. Their own tour guide, in other words, just like many people on this forum have done.

[Betti]

well, living in Yangon now and still 5 weeks away from my first visa run to Bangkok, I have to say that having to visit appeals to me more than ever :-) others say though that now with improving internet connections, and a couple of fancy malls, they are considering a multiple-entry visa, giving them the chance to turn back right from Swampy after getting the stamps. haha not me. however, it is still beyond me why anyone would choose Bangkok if they don't absolutely have to for some reason :-)

[paul_au]

Well I have been to all three of these big cities in the last decade and I can say there is a lot to see in each of them and I would have put them in the same order. Now if your into a marine wilderness adventure, you can't beat the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

[Susana]

Betti, I am hoping that you will be able to find a place in Bangkok, in a convenient location of course, which you will look forward to returning to for your visa runs. I feel sure it is quite possible that you will do so.