The Beginning of a Short-Term Life in Bangkok
I had a thought upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Seeing the incredible number of tourists from all over the world, I was reminded of Thailand’s popularity.
Thailand has a different kind of energy than Hong Kong, with a very international flavor.
I love Bangkok’s unique mix of metropolitan and retro vibes, different from Tokyo.
Not only Tokyo, but also major Japanese cities like Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya simply scrape old buildings and build new ones.
In contrast, even in Bangkok, a metropolis lined with ultra-modern malls, many buildings from the good old days remain.
Scenes reminiscent of Japan’s Showa era, such as restaurants and cars, are everywhere, reminiscent of old movies.
It feels as though a serene world has unfolded, as if time has stopped.
It seems to me that Japanese society, obsessed with new things and trends, has lost sight of important values.
I believe Japan should learn from the example of Bangkok, a metropolis that recognizes the value of both the new and the old, and coexists with each other.
I believe these broad insights and perspectives are a common perception not only of things but also of people.
Of course, I understand that there are all kinds of people, but my impression of Thai people is that they are mostly very gentle.
This is also evident in the way they always clasp their hands to express their gratitude to the buyer after making a purchase in a store.
When I first visited Bangkok, I was very impressed by this gesture of clasping hands.
