Don’t trust me as an expert guide to Bangkok. All I can do is give you a peek at a few neighborhoods from the point of view of a curious passerby.
My first impression was that the main thoroughfares here look like a modern city (though with a grittier, less pressure-washed look than you get in the West), but as soon as you turn on the side streets it suddenly looks you might expect Thailand to look.
.Old Town
Old Town (southern part) at night
Khaosan Road
All I did was walk past this famous area in the north of Old Town in the daytime. They say it’s a mecca for backpackers, with mixed messages about whether there’s more artsy culture to it than just partying. I really can’t say.
Si Lom
Si Lom Road was lined with high-rise bank buildings, etc. A bit like a smaller, less polished Midtown Manhattan. The eastern half of Si Lom (near Lumphini Park), north of Si Lom Road, hosts a large night market, including night life akin to New Orleans’ Bourbon St. — massage parlors, loud clubs, etc.
South of Si Lom Road, moving west toward the canal, was a lovely and lengthy day street market.
The western half of Si Lom, past the canal, seemed to have more of a neighborhood vibe. The Kokotel hotel looked great with a double room at about $18 (including a nice common workspace, good cafe, etc.). I didn’t get to explore this side of Si Lom enough. I only got a picture of the library next to the British Club 🙂
Ari
Ari seemed the place to live. At least somewhat leafy, more so than other neighborhoods. Quite a few little cafes for coffee, beer, food. Relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. Porcupine was good coffee stop. Garrison looked like good Irish pub, but closed the day I was there. I didn’t see any Westerners during my walk — Ari is not really on the tourist track as far as I can tell — but the feeling was a bit more cosmopolitan than in other local neighborhoods.
Sukhumvit
I didn’t get any pictures of this long diagonal shooting out of the city toward Cambodia, but it gave me the feeling of heading out to the suburbs, albeit still gritty and urban. Not a very attractive main thoroughfare, but sufficiently dotted with pubs and street vendors and hostels.
I loved Chiang Mai and Pai also — probably even more than Bangkok — but that’s for another day.
Remember: These are the unedited thoughts a total amateur just backpacking my way through Bangkok for a week 🙂
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shakemyheadhollow 
Looks interesting! I don’t see many people.
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Hi PK. That’s probably more a reflection of my style. Don’t worry — there are a lot of people in Bangkok 🙂 . I don’t know what that says about me that I wait for the people to clear out so I can capture the scene — and I probably don’t want to know, lol 🙂
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😁
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Hello Gary, You did a very good job with this travel brochure. Did you eat Thai Spciy, as it will burn your tongue. Had it in Amsterdam and was in pain as Janin and I ate every last drop and crumb. We would hope to go there to eat and visit old stuff ! Have Fun ! Wayne J
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Miss you, amigo. I didn’t go for the true spicy dishes. My admiration and respect to Janin — not so much for getting through the spice, but for getting through it WITH YOU!! 🙂 I hope to be in your parts during the month of June before hitting the road again.
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The thing I remember most about Bangkok was a dog, one of a pack of street dogs, stepping from the footpath onto a busy road to take a crap. It seemed very polite of the dog, and also dangerous – but no one honked it or anything, or seemed in any way surprised.
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