fawks1976

Just wondering what you all thought about Bangkok and Chiang Mai being named "World's Best" cities?

Wendy Brians
Naples, FL

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain


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Travel&Leisure Magazine, which caters to the luxury travel market, has released its 2010 "World's Best" list, with Bangkok voted by readers as the top city in the world, followed by Chiang Mai.

The magazine said in its press release that it was quite certain there had to be a bit of celebrating going on at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which had been battling hard to bring back tourists following the March-April unrest in Bangkok, although it must be noted that the survey was completed before the mass protests.

Rounding out the top 10 on the "World's Best City" list, after Bangkok and Chiang Mai, are Florence (Italy), San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), Rome (Italy), Sydney (Australia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Oaxaca (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain) and New York City (the United States).

The votes were based on: 1. Places for sightseeing, their beauty and greenery; 2. Arts and culture; 3. Food; 4. Shopping areas; 5. People's friendliness; 6. Value for money spent.

Thailand’s hotels did well too, with the Peninsula Bangkok rising from No 66 in 2009 to No. 7 in 2010, while Thai Airways was voted the world’s eighth best international airline.

Bangkok was previously voted the "World's Best City" by the magazine's readers in 2008, over Buenos Aires and Cape Town of South Africa.

Kathie

I agree about Bangkok - it's my favorite city in the world. I'm not fond of Chiang Mai, so I'd rank it much, much lower.

thursdaysd

I don't agree with either, or with some others on the list. But like all such lists it's so subjective as to be of limited use - except perhaps as a list of places to avoid? My favorite city in the world is probably London, which isn't on the list at all.

BillT

We really love Bangkok so no argument there but Chaing Mai over say Paris- I don't think so.

justshootme

Totaly disagree. I would rate lots of cities much more favourably than Bangkok and Chaing Mai.

I can't belive that Rome is one that list and there's no mention of London or Paris.

dgunbug

Love Bangkok, but Chaing Mai does not belong there.

rhkkmk

bangkok for sure, but chiang mai is one of my least favorites in all the world.... i have never understood what people see in it....i have tried at least 3 times to like it but so far i end up with a zero....

the golden triangle on the other hand is quite nice...

NoFlyZone

I have learned to discount ALL polls based on readers' votes. It is so very easy for one interest group to slant the results. Plus the public tends to view the last place visited (or often the only place visited) as "the best."

Better to rely on listings based on measurable and objective facts.

Hanuman

Both Kathie and Bob are "persona non grata" at our house! Dang is from Chiang Mai!

Kathie

Sorry - don't tell Dang. Dang is delightful. Alas! I don't feel the same way about CM.

simpsonc510

Here's another vote for BKK, but CM should be much farther down on the list (if on the list at all). And I do love both cities.

BillT

Oh Yes I mis-spoke - Chang Mai - its the greatest behind BKK of course! What was I thinking when I mentioned Paris - silly me!

simpsonc510

However.......
when I just re-read the qualifications for voting, yes, CM has culture, and yes, it is a good value for the dollar.

But I'd still rank it lower.

Curt1591

I think the "value for the dollar" aspect plays big in the picks.

There are many great cities, with great scenery, great cultural samplings, and entertainment, but few will give as much bang for the buck!

rhkkmk

dang is the only shining star to come out of CM.... well maybe there is one more.....

take note of where she lives now however...

NeoPatrick

Is it possible that when people say Chiang Mai, they are really talking about it not as a city of itself, but as the center for the whole of northern Thailand?