Last time I was in Thailand I stayed with a friend in Khlong Toei and we spent some nights in a slum area at their sister's place, very hospitable area, although they were very surprised to see a farang in the area. They assured me it's fairly safe as long as you don't go wandering out alone at night, but that's the same with anywhere in the world I guess.
I was one of the first adopted children from the Khlongtoey area in the 70s to Australia. Much of the stories I have read and were told match with your experiences. I went back 10yrs ago to get a glimpse of the life I may have had. Thanks for showing me this video Paddy.
I volunteered in the Khlong Toei community (moslty "Lock 4-5-6") for almost 2 years and never once felt out of place or in danger. The people that I've met there are some of the most humble, kind and welcoming people I've ever met. Ironically I actually feel like I'd be more likely to get mugged or scamed at the nearby shopping malls than I would in the slums. BTW, the train actually still runs several times daily; I'd walk along those train tracks every day and regularly have to step aside to get out of the way as it passed.
30 yrs ago when I first visit Thailand, I innocently wandered into Khlong Toei ‘village’ without much looking at review or judgement. I have a nice visit there, alone. Did not get mugged or encounter any unpleasant incidents. It was in daytimes though. I can read, write & speaks Thai now. 🙏
THEY JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT LOOKED DRAMATIC TO SELL!!! NO MATTER WHAT THE TRUTH IS. AS A THAI I FIND SO MANY OF THESE YOUNG RU-vidRS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR SOCIETY. IRRELEVANT AND IRRESPONSIBLE.
Great video - awesome to meet locals with you Paddy! I myself happened to stay in a hotel in Klong Toey my first time in Bangkok for one month, very close to the wet market (i didn’t know about its reputation at the time) I had a positive experience and felt like locals were curious about me and my reasons for staying there. There are definitely parts of the neighbourhood that are worth exploring.
I was staying out there also and walk around there day and late evening but never feel myself in danger yes sometimes someone look on me in a funny way, but i not think it was something bad, i think maybe just because i am a farlang, i like the seven eleven out there on pharam 4, hope its still there. Stay safe Rak Thais RAk Thailand samer
@@miketzai9209 @tildaMath38 : where both of you stayed is not this Klong Toei. Where you both stayed is in the greater Klong Toei district, which has nothing to do with this area. There is absolutely no hotel in this part which Paddy shows and has this reputation. It can be confusing because it is all Klong Toei district - also the richer neigborhoods with hotels, but the Klong Toei part which has this reputation is a specific area. Which Klong Toei is talked about, can be known from context or more specification. Like saying that you stayed in a hotel , the big wet market or mentioning Phraraam 4 road.. is all outside this area.
Loved the music when you were trying to catch the train. It made it sound like an action movie. Thanks, Paddy, for a look inside an area where tourists would probably never go to.
I fell in love with Thailand through the lens of TV shows and series and YT series. And I’ve come to realise that Thailand is very similar to Brazil in many aspects. Your videos are great! Thank you for showing this as well
A lot of land is bring occupy illegally, it become a big debate for a while now when the landowner/authority want to do something with those land but get oppose by the local which could end up delay project for years. Train is another big example.
those people in bangkok slums just want to live there. they refuse to move out though the gov't provided them with new places. it's just more convenient to live right in the center of the city. i used to drive pass that area in the morning and saw a brand new toyota camry parked right in front of an old wooden row house every day.
In my travels through Thailand, I found the people of Isaan to be most hospitable and the friendliest. Despite the region being predominantly farming and having a high poverty rate, the people of Isaan having very strong family connection and if you are welcomed into their home, you are family. If this shanty town community is made up of Isaan folk, then certainly you will find them to be good natured and friendly,
Well because people are farmers and pour dose not mean that they are unfriendly, and i agree with you about the isaan people, but i meet friendly thais everywhere in Thailand, a smile and some thaiwords can make a big defrence. Stay safe Rak Thais RAk Thailand samer
@@rolfpoelman3486 Well there is maybe a little truth in what you say, but its little about being like the water in the bottle, be smooth and flexible it can make many situations better. Stay safe Rak Thais RAk Thailand samer
Very interesting Paddy , my wife is from the Philippines and they have very similar “squatters areas” but it seems like the majority of the people there are just trying to get by and make a better life. Just like the guy that was teaching you his dialect, there are many dialects in the Philippines, and people various regions do not understand each other so the common language among Filipinos is Tagalog.
Philippines shouldn't be compared to Thailand. it's gotta have the speediest parts of any place I've known of . it's bad here but there ,wins the cup for noncey behaviour
it's funny how a lot of westerners like comparing Thailand to the Philippines, the 2 are not comparable at all, it's like comparing the Uk to say Belarus or something!
@@kyogofurahashi I wasn’t comparing the two “countries”, I was stating the similarities in different dialects coming from different provinces, and both having “squatters” areas as they are known in the Philippines.
Everywhere in the world, there are no 100% bad or 100% good places. We should use our instinct when visiting places, knowing which time to visit. Some places ought not to visit at night, places not to visit by ladies alone.
I worked with Italian Thai Construction on a multi product pipeline from Klong Toei to Don Muang airport in 1994. Ate at some of the market stalls and on some evenings sat with the locals for a few beers! Didn't stay too late but never had any issues! All people were kind and friendly. Felt sorry for the people but again, no issues!
Khlong Toei 40 years ago been dangerous as rumer . There used to be a lot of drugs, gangsters, etc., but now it's different. It's even better. The people living in Khlong Toei are as friendly as other Thais, which you can experience for yourself.
Thank you for sharing these stories. Considered that you have truly come to experience our country. I want foreigners to see Thailand from many perspectives.
Sawardee Yes i am farlang and i agree with you, many farlangs only think and speak about the dirty side of Thailand, but they never think about their own country have a dirty side too, further more Thailand is so much more then that, and it will be nice if more farlangs open up their eyes and see Thailand north of krungthjep, i realy like krungthjep, but Thailand have so many pretty places and people, but many farlangs will never know about it, so sad. Stay safe Rak Thais RAk Thailand samer
Sawatdee kha Khun Mike= Hi Mike. I notice that you have acquired some Thai words. Permit me to give you the correct version of these words. Farang= foreigners, Krungthep= Bangkok
I am from Taipei, Taiwan. I have been to Bangkok, Thailand. I think both Bangkok and Taipei are very modern cities. I go shopping in Bangkok Shopping Center every year.
I love Khlong Toei. Our office is close by. Been there many times taking photos of the locals and never once have I felt scared. Speaking a bit of Thai and showing respect gets you a long way. Recommend checking out "Cooking with Poo" as well. She has her restaurant there!
Like 30 years ago My mother (RIP) was a census worker and her area of responsibility in in Klong Toei slum. That was when the Yaba (Speed) epidemic start in Thailand. Truth to be told from my memory, that area doesn' feel unsafe at all. It's like any dense community in Thailand. There are sign of addiction here and there but their community leader tend to shield them away from us visitor (mom and 7-8 years old me!). The only disagreement between my mom and the locals are the fear that our data will be use to evict them.
I was born in Thailandd and now living in California. When I was a child living in Bangkok, my mother used to take me to Khlong Toei market. All good memories. Missed my home country watching your videos. Kup kun kha.
Interesting video about poor town in 🇹🇭 well every country has a dangerous site and i think you are lucky to live in australia you are close to explore all the beautiful countries of Asia that have a different way of living
Very nice - 🎉. Maybe consider doing a follow episode one day on the “bangkok community help” foundation and their work in that area. Some great potential for interviews if you like… let us know if interested
It's an area I have visited , very friendly people . Many middle class Thai people avoid the area. I love the market which has one of the best coffee shops( Phu Chai Kai Cafe) in Bangkok and of course Port FC.
Well i was staying in klong toye area never feel my self unsafe, i was not in the slum but very near. I feel myself more safe in Thailand then in my own country. Stay safe Rak Thais RAk Thailand samer
I live up the road and had no idea it housed so many people! I’d love to go exploring there more. I’ve done the wet market and a little of the community on a food tour with Poo but it’s so vast. Great video!
Things foreigners may not know The people of the slums may appear to be poor from a foreign perspective. Of course, there really are poor people. But most people are not poor. They were employed by everyone except children, old people, or sick people. Most of the people in this slum were middle class. Many are employees of top companies, many are government officials. Being a contractor owning a business And the government takes care of them in almost every way. And here it is safe enough.Although there are some crimes, they don't happen that often. From time to time, a crime scene is found. And everyone in this slum is safe. As long as they don't bring themselves to be involved with crooks. And there is a line between criminals and honest people. Criminals don't deal with people who don't interfere with them. And of course if you or someone messes with them. Those criminals will target you.
9:20 errrmmm, excuse me 💁🏾♂️, my body, my choice, dont try and victim blame here, mate. Its my right to walk where i want, when i want and how i want!!! The people should control themselves not me. Its not my fault they cant control themselves. Hmmmm...Where have i heard this type of reasoning before?
Actually klong toey is not the most dangerous. It just a slum. Doesn't equal dangerous. I used to went there often 6-7 years ago. Police was roam around very often than any other place in bangkok.
I ever walked around this area sightseeing and looking for nice food. I didn't know it has such reputation, I guess that if you don‘t stereotype the area, nothing bad about Klong Toei exist in your mind.
Enough with the clickbait thumbnails. You don't need them. Thailand is the safest place to travel, especially for women full stop. Yiu want real danger, try Manilla or South America. Bangkok is safe.
Hello. Hoping the owner of this video. I am searching for my birth mother, and I believe she lives in this area. Would appreciate any time and assistance you could offer please. Thank you.
This is just the reality. Income distribution there is ridiculously horrible. That's because the current governance and culture supports monopoly. People with power don't care, people that care don't have power. That's just how it is.
You need to know that Malaysia is the richest country in Southeast Asia.. and did you know... the tallest tower in the world is in Malaysia... Singapore is just a small country... what do you expect from a small country, none of the tower buildings are as tall as in our Malaysia
Bangkok people need to realize who makes their city run. They get pushed aside (in almost every city in the world and many of the best areas in thailand) by condo developpers fueled by cheap credit, but these guys need some place to live. I passed this area under the motorway by accident and all I felt is this area feels neighborly. I can't really stand the tourist pubs and posh closed-off areas because it feels all fake.
These areas look far better and more safe than the slums in the US. You wouldn't believe what the neighborhoods I used to live in Baltimore looked like.
"แต่หาแฟนไม่ได้สักที่เลย" This scene reminds me of when I cringed a little watching a video of myself telling a joke and I put a little too much effort in to laughing at my own joke more than anyone else in the room.
An interesting detour off the beaten path, Paddy. As a denizen of lower Suk for more trips than I care to admit, the fact that there was a giant slum just a stone's throw from all that tourist gold was a sobering thought. Further toward Emporium, the side Sois definitely had more Isaan village feel to them but so much has been developed over the last 20 years. Thanks for the video.
What a great video and a great area. Let’s all hope that, if the area is developed, it will be done in a way that supports the Khlong Toei community and its people.
Ive known about this place for a while now but never ventured there as I to heard it was a dangerous place, so thanks for doing a video on Klong Toei so I can see what it looks like. kop kun na cup paddy.🤙👍
I suggest Wat Pathum Wanaram locates on-road between Central World and Siam Paragon is one of the most quiet spot in busiest business district, behind the wat, but U can find maditate your mind as U wish
