Teri Burgos-Gutierrez, Corporate Trainer

Teri, a wife to a dentist, and mother to 3 adolescent sons, trains professionals and writes textbooks in Speech. She can be reached at gutierrez_teri@yahoo.com

WHY BANGKOK IS BOOMING

“Travel and change of places impart new vigor to the mind.”
- Seneca

It was indeed a relaxing and culturally-inspiring weekend visiting Thailand with my husband and sons Chuck and Nikki. The intention was to visit Dr. Boon Vanasin, the Chairman of Piyavate Hospital, who we met at the Worldwide Health Conference in Taipei last May. We also had the unforgettable opportunity of spending time with the Vanasin family who represented the typical hospitable, warm, and very friendly Thai family.

 The trip ended with my family drawn to the irresistible mixture of breathtaking natural beauty, the magnificent temples showcasing the country’s strong sense of social hierarchy and respect for the monarchy, palatable and irresistible cuisine, awesome hospitality and generosity of its people, and a nostalgic historical trip through the ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms that not too many countries are so blessed with.

Venice of the East

Bangkok has opened its doors to local and foreign tourists who are attracted to its ancient traditions, glittering Buddhist temples, gleaming skyscrapers, an array of street markets, high-rise shopping malls and infrastructures, modernized transportation system, and an enthusiastic energy that mirrors the city’s fantastic economic growth the past few years.

What amazes Bangkok’s numerous visitors is that despite its rapid growth and modernization, this capital city continues to live iits deeply-rooted cultural, historical, and spiritual ground. Tourists walking through its busy streets will encounter a  diversity of races, creeds, and beliefs. This city pictures a modern paradise where East meets West and where the past gracefully, harmoniously, and beautifully blends with the present.

Dining in Bangkok offers an extraordinary culinary experience from a truly romantic dinner cruise at the Chao Phraya River to the affordable and easy-on-the pocket hot bowl of soup from the boat people selling their merchandise with such authenticity and simplicity.  It is no wonder then that Bangkok has been named the Venice of the East!

The splendor of the city can also be attributed to its people in whom I noticed the following:

• The spirituality of the people who honor even the simplest visitor with great awe
• Their respect for the monarchy, their leaders, and each other
• Thais are well-disciplined yet energetic, sophisticated but determined, and are visitors-friendly.
• People are work-oriented, dedicated, and industrious.
• Respect and reverence for their leaders
• They forecast the future with modernization in health care and wellness programs along with the urgency to enhance and develop their communicative skills especially in the English language.