Why do I see some people prefer Bangkok over Manila?

Matius Teguh Nugroho

 

a boy who loves traveling, writing, and riding trains. 6y

Why do I see some people prefer Bangkok over Manila, though I visited both of them and I found Manila is more elegant, advanced, and better planned?

Originally Answered: Why do I see some people prefer Bangkok more than Manila, though I visited both of them and I found Manila is more elegant, advanced, and better planned?

More advanced and better planned? I’d like to give you 2 questions first: which part of Bangkok did you visit? which part of Manila did you visit?

Bangkok has a better rapid transit systems, consisting of 2 Skytrain lines and 2 MRT lines. The trains and the stations are modern, clean, comfortable, and reliable. I can not say LRT and so-called MRT in Manila are reliable. The trains and the stations are not comfortable. Some stations, like at Buendia have too-narrow platform. Katipunan is the only literally underground station in the Manila LRT / MRT system, while the whole MRT Blue Line in Bangkok is underground. There is no airport train in Manila, while Bangkok has an Airport Rail Link.

Did you land or fly from Suvarnabhumi International Airport? It is way more modern and sophisticated than Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Bangkok is also served by a very extensive bus network. Some buses are new, modern, elegant with aircon. Some buses are old without aircon, but still comfortable and well-treated.

Bangkok has many interesting tourism attractions. It is home to majestic Grand Palace and awesome temples, while Manila has old Spanish catholic churches. Well, western tourists are more interested at Thai Buddhist temples, something new and rare for them. Bangkok is also a shopping and food paradise! The cost of living is low, though.

Bangkok is well connected to the nearby cities in northern or southern Thailand by rail and buses. I think connectivity is something Manila (and Philippines) is lack of, even Filipino themselves admit it. Northern Thailand offers serene mountainous cities, even travelers may continue the journey to the nearby Laos. Southern Thailand is gifted with white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and turquoise looking sea. Yes, this kind of natural attractions are available in Philippines too, but as I said earlier: connectivity. From southern Thailand, travelers may continue the trip to Malaysia and then Singapore. Bangkok is also served by bus and (indirect) rail service to Cambodia.

Yes, Manila has modern business districts such as Makati, filled with elegant skyscrapers. But we are speaking about tourism, aren’t we? Skyscrapers and business districts are not interesting for them. I’m Indonesian, not a Thai nor Philippines, so I guess my answer is neutral enough for you. Thank you.