Bangkok is definitely the most crazy overwhelming place I've ever been. While Singapore is a very Westernized city in southeast asia (feels very similar to big city America), Bangkok is definitely not. It's a huge Asia city, with lots of people, lights, sounds, smells, fashion, food, motorbikes, buses, pollution, shopping, and religion. It is a city that is used to tourism, but as a tourist it's a place to always be a bit weary and careful. Looking back, I'm so glad we went and visited, but I was also happy when we were leaving to the next place. It's an overwhelming and exhausting city. But spectacular, amazing and unique.
We stayed in a great location in the city - in a big shopping area and next to the University. The area was called Siam Square, and very popular with the Bangkok teens and twentysomethings. That was fun to see their energy and lifestyle. Fashion is a huge industry there so tons of great small boutiques, or huge shopping centres. Also any kind of spa, massage, and foot treatments are around every corner and super cheap. Even botox, hair colouring and other beauty treatments available at walk in centers. While I would not even question eating any food off the street in Singapore, I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole in Bangkok. They cook things like deep fried squid on a stick - yikes!
95% of people living in Thailand are Buddhists. It's a lovely religion that believes in reincarnation and having a successful afterlife. It's the fourth largest religion in the world. All over the city and country we were reminded of the Buddhist religion. There are spirit houses at each home/hotel/office, which protect the buildings from evil spirits. And there are Wats (Temples), which you could say are akin to churches, where you go pray to Buddha and get a blessing from the Monks. Depending on your prayers, you burn incense sticks, offer flowers, offer food/drink or gold leaf to Buddha.
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