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Most of us know what it’s like to work a 9 to 5, daydreaming about vacations while faking a smile to fill a tip jar.
Certain places seem out of reach and many of them are in Asia, one of the best places to escape the mundane home and enter a whole new world full of cultural sensations and dirt-cheap prices.
Dozens of destinations might come to mind, like Tokyo and Hong Kong for urban adventures or Bali for an island escape, but Thailand ticks both boxes with vibrant cities and wondrous islands.
Agoda, one of Asia’s most popular travel agencies, has just unveiled the world’s most popular city for 2025, which shouldn’t be a surprise, especially with rumors coming in hot direct flights from the US in the works.
Thailand is all the rage at the moment
Ever talked about something random, followed by a series of related ads, like there’s a spy in your phone?
Well, you don’t have to mention ‘Thailand’, ‘amazing temples’, ‘floating markets’, ‘epic eateries’ or ‘pristine islands’ to make Thailand catch your eye.
Thailand is all the rage right now and is being hyped by several popular publications such as CNN, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, and now agoda.
Oh, and us. You should save the best for last!
The point is, it’s impossible to ignore Thailand’s ride to stardom in 2025, highlighting hidden gems as new alternatives to overtourism, along with completely revamped cities ready to embrace all types of travelers.
Then of course there is the old reliable…Bangkokjust crowned by Agoda as the most popular city in the world for travel in 2025.
Bangkok caters to every type of traveler in the book and never fails. The proof is in the rice pudding as it is most booked destination worldwide next year.
Why Bangkok has soared to new heights
If you’re traveling to Thailand, chances are your starting point is Bangkok. And why wouldn’t that be the case?
Even if you are looking for island bliss in places like Phuket or Koh Samui, despite being a cosmopolitan city, it is the ultimate destination to immerse yourself in Thai culture through several fascinating temples, incomparable floating markets, nightlife and flavors that will satisfy you. soul.
Not to mention the affordable luxury factor, which underpins the data behind the highest booking numbers in the world.
Who wouldn’t want to stay in sky-high four- and five-star hotels at home for your weekly Starbucks budget?
Don’t you believe me? For the sample size, the 5 stars Al Maroz Hotel costs $62 per night in January 2025.
Better yet, despite 9 million people calling Bangkok home, it’s generally considered safe to explore with the convenient subway, Uber, and of course many travelers’ favorite mode of travel. tuk tuks.
Bangkok is the textbook definition of an urban jungle; there’s never a dull moment, whether you’re wandering aimlessly, admiring the sights or tucking into a rooftop dinner while taking in the grand cityscape.
Best of all, Bangkok is connected to pretty much any place you could want to visit on the mainland or on the bucket list islands, so it’s perfect as a stepping stone or as a week-long adventure like I did.
My tip? Be sure to visit Chinatown (also known as “Yaowarat”) and say no to everything that has to do with ping pong. Let’s just say that a ping pong paddle in Thailand is not always just a ping pong paddle…
A haven for digital nomads
Official visitor numbers were also released by Thaigershowing that 32.4 million travelers visited Bangkok in 2024.
While the exact portion of that 32 million is not readily available, a reasonable portion should be made up of digital nomads.
With insanely affordable prices across the board, this is the ultimate playground for not worrying about your salary.
You can easily find a high-rise apartment with great views for $500 or less, and food, especially at markets, is a drop in the bucket.
Thailand launched a digital nomad visa last summer, making Bangkok even more attractive.
Not to mention a thriving expat community and spacious co-working spaces to accommodate the latest trend of remote working.
On the other hand, general tourists can do that now stay 60 days without a visa not at all.
But know that all U.S. visitors now require a travel authorization to enter the country.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
