Singapore and Bangkok (Thailand), each place has its own identity and appeal.
Car
Singapore, in particular, is a city-state that stands out among other Asian urban centres. Its government is committed to sustainable development, with efficient transport networks and an environmentally conscious population, making it an oasis of calm in the hustle and bustle of Southeast Asia.
Crowded street in Bangkok, Thailand
Singapore and Bangkok are stark contrasts in terms of car ownership. In Singapore, owning a four-wheeled vehicle is considered a luxury because of the high taxes, fees, and auction costs. The Singapore government also imposes strict regulations such as banning vehicles older than 10 years.
Bus Experience in Singapore
Bangkok, for one, has a vibrant “car culture.” Cars are easy to come by and cheap—around $27,000 for a new Toyota Altis. This has helped fuel the proliferation of four-wheelers on the Thai capital’s crowded roads. Between January and February 2023, more than 68,000 new cars were registered in Bangkok, according to Statista, a statistics website. The number of cars in the Thai capital alone, by the end of 2022, will be around 4 million for a population of 10.5 million.
Singapore’s charms are hardly in dispute. Singapore is famous for its tourist attractions such as the Sky Wheel, Night Safari and Flower Gardens. This city of less than 6 million people, according to June 2023 statistics from the website population.gov.sg, also has other attractive tourism products such as Duck tours across the river. In fact, they bought some amphibious vehicles used during the Vietnam War, repainted them and just used them!
Orchard Road - a tourist attraction in Singapore
Bangkok also offers visitors a unique experience with historical and cultural heritage such as the Grand Palace and large shopping centers centered around Siam Square. Not far away is the ancient city of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand.
Thai Market
Singapore allows public gambling with 2 very large casinos, which are also 3 times larger than the famous Bellagio in Las Vegas - USA. Tourists only need to show their passports but locals are more restricted such as having to buy a high-priced annual membership card - 2,000 Singapore dollars or paying 100 dollars each time they enter.
Bangkok does not legalize gambling, only has vibrant street life and affordable prices. The price of a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok on November 8, 2023 is less than 1.9 million VND with AirAsia.
Whether you are drawn to the elegance of Singapore or the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, both places offer unforgettable experiences, at least for me. I have been to both places once a year, except during the COVID-19 years.
(According to 24h, November 18, 2023)
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