I’ve always been drawn to Bangkok, not just for its food, but for its energy. The city buzzes with life, the traffic a constant symphony of chaos and order (I say this as someone from India, so that’s saying a lot!). And then there are the Thai people! A mix of brusque and gentle, curt and endlessly polite, always ready with a smile and that signature bow.

I can’t get enough of saying Khap Khun Kha with a little bow in return, whether I’m thanking a driver for stopping to let me cross or appreciating someone at a café. There’s a sense of thoughtfulness everywhere you look: in the way tiny family-run eateries are kept spotless, in the attention to detail at hostels and hotels, in the way every interaction feels warm and genuine.

And there’s something else about Thailand that makes it unique, its matriarchal streak. Women here have long held a central role in families, businesses, and communities. Walk through any market or street food hub, and you’ll see women running the show cooking, managing, negotiating, smiling as they serve plates of steaming pad kra pao or mango sticky rice. It’s a society where women are respected and valued, their presence woven into the fabric of daily life in a way that feels both natural and celebrated.

It’s the small things that make Bangkok so welcoming! The smiles, the bows, the hospitality that embraces visitors from around the world. And for me, that’s what makes coming back here such a joy.