Bangkok is still a great place to visit and definitely to live.
The city is not limited only to tourist, it also welcome those who are looking for opportunities.
I have been working here for over twenty years, and found Bangkok to be both challenging and enjoying.
You can find most things you desire here.
Bangkok is almost like a little New York City but quite cheaper.
Quality housing is not expensive and the same thing can be said about healthcare.
Physicians from top hospitals here get their medical board examination from the US.
These physicians graduated from the local medical universities, which are recognized in the world.
Many Middle Eastern visitors come here for their health care services.
Bangkok also has Blue Cross (under the name of BUPA).
Bangkok also has something for gourmet food lover.
There is a Cordon Blue French Culinary School in the center of town, and it supposedly the third best in the world.
Students from other countries also come to this school for its rigorous program.
For things to do, there are plenty.
Golfing here is inexpensive compared to other countries in the area.
It is a very popular sport for Japanese visitors.
Secondly, Bangkok is only an hour and a half away from Pattaya, a very popular seaside resort town of Thailand.
For those who love beach activities, a drive from Bangkok to Pattaya would be the thing to do.
More on finding a nice place to stay, there are tons of new condos going up near a subway.
So, more new condos mean renting prices or buying prices are not going up quickly.
In some prime areas prices are actually coming down, especially for older units.
Bangkok City limit is expanding eastward toward the new airport, Suvarnabhumi and southward toward Hua Hin (a popular seaside resort), where the atmosphere has more class.
A subway line is also extended southward, allowing more commuters to live further away from the center of the city and still make it to work on time.
Driving in Bangkok is possible but not recommended, unless you have been here for at least six months to a year.
I had to be here for a year before I started to drive in the city.
Believe me it is not like driving in Brooklyn or Palm Beach.
Most street signs are in Thai and they are not well positioned at most corners.
Traffic routing could be different in the morning rush hour versus the normal afternoon time.
And after twenty odd years here I rarely drive into the old section of the city.
It is best you stick to taxi and subway.