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Photo Essay: Bangkok During The Pandemic

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Bangkok is one of my favorite cities, for many reasons. I love the kind people, the delicious food, and the affordability. Your dollar goes far in Bangkok and during my recent trip I was happy to see a renaissance beginning in a city and nation that was largely shut down for so long. This photo essay captures Bangkok during the pandemic, a moment in time in which the hustle and bustle was just a bit more muted than usual. Even so, the sights, sounds, and smells of Thailand’s capital city are always a sight to behold.

Bangkok Pandemic Photo Essay

Cityscape of Bangkok at sunset, showcasing modern skyscrapers and muted urban atmosphere during the pandemic, reflecting a quieter moment in the bustling capital.

Street scene in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring a red taxi, a food vendor with a colorful umbrella, and pedestrians crossing a wet street under an elevated structure, capturing the city's muted hustle and bustle.

Street scene in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring a food vendor with a customer, pedestrians, and a mix of modern and traditional architecture, reflecting the city's muted hustle and bustle.

Black and white street scene in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring empty sidewalks, closed shops, and power lines overhead, reflecting a quieter urban atmosphere.

Black and white street scene in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring muted activity with pedestrians walking, parked cars, and storefronts, reflecting the city's unique atmosphere amidst reduced hustle and bustle.

People wearing masks waiting in line outside a popular dessert shop, Custard Nakamura, in Bangkok, showcasing the city's vibrant street life during the pandemic.

CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok illuminated at night with a large Christmas tree, surrounded by traffic and greenery, reflecting the city's vibrant atmosphere during the pandemic.

Vibrant mural featuring a blue tuk-tuk and colorful taco imagery, with "Live Mos" and "Chidlom" text, set in a cozy dining area with wooden benches and tables, reflecting Bangkok's lively food culture during the pandemic.

Elaborate shrine featuring a seated deity, adorned with flowers and colorful decorations, illuminated at night in Bangkok's vibrant urban setting.

Statue of a deity in a temple setting, adorned with flowers and surrounded by decorative offerings, capturing the spiritual essence of Bangkok during the pandemic.

Miniature sculptures and offerings at a spirit house near a car park entrance in Bangkok, surrounded by lush greenery and a sign indicating the parking area.

Colorful Thai figurines and an elephant statue among a collection of decorative objects, reflecting Bangkok's cultural vibrancy during the pandemic.

Black and white image of a busy Bangkok street scene, featuring motorbikes and cars at a traffic light, with a pedestrian crossing in the foreground, capturing the muted hustle of the city during the pandemic.

Motorcycle delivery riders waiting at a traffic light on Ratchadamri Road in Bangkok, showcasing the city's vibrant street life during the pandemic.

Erawan Shrine in Bangkok adorned with vibrant marigold flowers and offerings, bustling urban backdrop, reflecting the city's cultural richness during the pandemic.

Interior of a Bangkok shopping mall featuring a large, intricate dragon sculpture suspended from the ceiling, surrounded by elegant architecture and natural light streaming through a glass roof.

Interior view of a Bangkok café featuring vibrant orange trees, outdoor umbrellas, and patrons dining at tables, reflecting the city's unique ambiance during the pandemic.

Interior of a Bangkok shopping mall featuring a vibrant decorative sculpture of a mythical bird, lush indoor greenery, and artistic railing designs, reflecting the city's unique blend of modernity and culture during the pandemic.

Apple Store in Bangkok featuring modern architecture, surrounded by greenery and people, reflecting the city's vibrancy during the pandemic.

Traffic in Bangkok featuring motorcycles, cars, and buses amidst muted urban activity during the pandemic.

Bangkok street scene during the pandemic, featuring a mix of cars, motorcycles, and buses on a busy avenue, surrounded by modern buildings and greenery.

Bangkok city street scene during the pandemic, featuring sparse traffic with motorbikes and cars, modern buildings, and digital billboards, reflecting a quieter urban atmosphere amidst the ongoing health crisis.

Traffic scene in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring cars, taxis, and a traffic officer directing vehicles under an elevated train track, illustrating the city's quieter atmosphere.

Apple Store exterior with distinctive wooden canopy, reflecting surrounding cityscape and greenery, symbolizing Bangkok's vibrant urban environment during the pandemic.

People waiting in line outside the Apple Store in Bangkok, surrounded by greenery and modern architecture, reflecting the city's gradual return to normalcy during the pandemic.

Christmas tree decorated with colorful ornaments and a star atop, located at centralWorld in Bangkok, against a bright blue sky, symbolizing holiday spirit during the pandemic.

Mannequin displaying a black dress with a white collar in a stylish retail store, featuring modern decor and a cozy seating area.

Shopping mall interior in Bangkok featuring a vibrant neon chandelier and clothing displays, capturing the city's lively atmosphere during the pandemic.

Couple exploring a bakery with displayed pastries in Bangkok, showcasing the city's vibrant food scene during the pandemic.

Display case filled with a variety of croissants and pastries, showcasing best sellers and different flavors, in a bustling Bangkok bakery during the pandemic.

Panini stand in Bangkok featuring various snacks including waffles and sandwiches, with a masked vendor behind the counter, showcasing the city's food culture during the pandemic.

Interior view of a modern shopping mall in Bangkok, showcasing multiple levels with shoppers, open spaces, and a variety of retail outlets, reflecting the city's vibrant atmosphere during the pandemic.

People looking at the menu outside Sizzler restaurant in Bangkok, featuring a sign highlighting lunch specials, with indoor dining visible in the background.

Toys "R" Us store entrance in Bangkok, featuring colorful signage, promotional signs for discounts, and a view into the toy-filled interior, reflecting the city's vibrant retail scene during the pandemic.

Welcome to Toys R Us store entrance featuring colorful signage and playful giraffe mascot, with shoppers walking by.

CentralWorld shopping complex in Bangkok, featuring modern architecture and visitors walking in a muted atmosphere during the pandemic.

Busy intersection in Bangkok with colorful taxis, motorcycles waiting at a crosswalk, and a public bus, showcasing the city's vibrant traffic and urban life during the pandemic.

Bangkok street scene during pandemic, featuring muted traffic with colorful taxis, motorbikes, and pedestrians, showcasing the city's resilience and vibrancy amidst reduced hustle.

Bangkok street scene during the pandemic, featuring colorful umbrellas, vendors, and people near a shrine, illustrating the city's resilience and vibrancy amidst quieter times.

Bangkok street scene during the pandemic, featuring a yellow bus, traffic on a busy road, and a partially visible elevated train track, with modern buildings and palm trees in the background.

Bangkok street scene during the pandemic, featuring a mix of pedestrians, motorbikes, and cars, with vibrant umbrellas over outdoor seating, showcasing the city's resilience and muted activity.

Bangkok street scene with colorful taxis, elevated train tracks, and modern buildings, reflecting the city's vibrant atmosphere during the pandemic.

Bangkok cityscape featuring a traditional Thai shrine with ornate architecture, surrounded by market stalls and greenery, reflecting the city's vibrant culture during the pandemic.

Motorcycles navigating a busy intersection in Bangkok, with a partially visible elevated walkway and urban buildings in the background, reflecting the city's muted activity during the pandemic.

Billboard advertisement featuring three women in blue outfits promoting Well U collagen products, with a city street and greenery in the background, reflecting Bangkok's vibrant urban life during the pandemic.

Bangkok road sign directing to Din Daeng and Chao Phraya River, with blue sky and elevated train tracks in the background, reflecting the city's urban landscape during the pandemic.

Railway tracks flanked by informal housing and greenery in Bangkok, illustrating the city's unique blend of urban life and nature during the pandemic.

Street vendor stall in Bangkok featuring fresh vegetables, fruits, and local goods, with a customer browsing, reflecting the city's vibrant market culture during the pandemic.

Wires crisscrossing above a bustling Bangkok street with colorful rooftops and a vibrant billboard, capturing the city's unique urban landscape during the pandemic.

Empty street in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring a green and yellow taxi, shops with closed shutters, tangled power lines, and a billboard, reflecting the city's muted atmosphere.

Golden-framed portrait of the Thai king surrounded by decorative flowers and plants in Bangkok, reflecting the city's cultural reverence during the pandemic.

Construction site in Bangkok with workers in hard hats and safety gear, engaging in building activities amidst a backdrop of urban development and electrical wiring.

Construction site in Bangkok with workers and machinery, featuring a large "Q" sign and modern buildings in the background, illustrating urban development during the pandemic.

Bangkok BTS skytrain station with a train arriving, featuring advertisements on the platform and a green exit sign, capturing the city's muted vibrancy during the pandemic.

People wearing masks on a Bangkok subway, some seated and others standing, engaged with their phones, reflecting the city's subdued atmosphere during the pandemic.

Billboard featuring a portrait of the Thai king in ceremonial attire, surrounded by yellow background and Thai flags, symbolizing national pride during the pandemic in Bangkok.

Statue of a soldier in uniform at a memorial, surrounded by modern skyscrapers and greenery in Bangkok, reflecting the city's blend of history and contemporary life during the pandemic.

Taxi driver wearing a mask, navigating Bangkok streets at night, with hand sanitizer visible in the foreground, capturing the city's muted atmosphere during the pandemic.

Giant corgi sculpture at Chanthaburi Creative Park, illuminated at night, surrounded by parked scooters and colorful neon lights.

Colorful neon star-shaped light installation in Bangkok at night, symbolizing the city's vibrant atmosphere during the pandemic, with nearby signage in Thai.

Nighttime view of a lively street entrance in Bangkok, featuring a large illuminated sign in Thai, surrounded by parked scooters and lush greenery, capturing the city's vibrant atmosphere during the pandemic.

Nighttime scene in Bangkok featuring vibrant market stalls, shoppers, and an airplane structure overhead, illustrating the city's unique blend of culture and resilience during the pandemic.

Giant green and red statue with a playful expression in a vibrant Bangkok night market, surrounded by colorful decorations and open shop signs.

Nighttime scene in Bangkok showcasing a vibrant street market with illuminated food stalls, people browsing, and a vendor tending to plants, capturing the city's lively atmosphere during the pandemic.

Night market in Bangkok featuring a large airplane structure, with colorful stalls selling clothing, illuminated by string lights, and visitors exploring the scene.

Empty airport terminal in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring check-in counters, digital advertisements, and staff in reflective vests, capturing a quieter moment in the bustling city.

Interior of Bangkok airport featuring self-check-in kiosks, large decorative statue, and signage for international departures, highlighting the city's recovery during the pandemic.

Empty airport corridor in Bangkok during the pandemic, featuring blue walls with messages about inconvenience and a banner stating "Life Beyond Boundaries."

Empty airport terminal with "Transfers Desk" sign in English and Thai, reflecting Bangkok's quieter atmosphere during the pandemic.

Empty airport terminal in Bangkok with signs for Transfers Desk and gates F1-F6, reflecting a quieter atmosphere during the pandemic.

Empty airport terminal with rows of black chairs spaced apart, reflecting pandemic-era social distancing in Bangkok.

Empty rows of blue and black chairs lined along a moving walkway in an airport, reflecting the muted atmosphere of Bangkok during the pandemic.

Interior of Bangkok airport during pandemic, showcasing modern architecture, empty walkways, and sparse travelers, reflecting the city's muted atmosphere amidst recovery.

Traditional Thai pavilion in Bangkok airport with palm trees, showcasing cultural architecture amidst a modern travel environment.

Woman gazing out of a large glass window at Bangkok's airport, with a table and sanitizer in the foreground, capturing the muted atmosphere during the pandemic.

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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12 Comments

  1. JoeMart Reply

    It’s so therapeutic seeing the sights from previous visits. I’m glad you fulfilled one of your passions while in town.

  2. Acura Reply

    wonderful photos, hope I get to go someday.

  3. Stuart Reply

    Beautiful, Matthew. Amazing the order in traffic compared to pre Covid and often chaos of Bangkok roads.

  4. Nick Reply

    Matt, I hope you went into Custard Nakamura. Their tonkatsu sandwiches among other things, are great.

    Bangkok is almost unrecognizable these days from what it once was.

  5. ChuckMO Reply

    Didn’t know there are any “Sizzler”s” left. Certainly not in STL.

  6. mike murphy Reply

    steered clear of the protests ?

  7. PM Reply

    Beautiful stuff! Can’t wait to go back to BKK and hopefully also visit some of the less touristy bits of Thailand.

  8. weadasmiles Reply

    AWESOME!!

  9. Steven Stills Reply

    I am leaving for BANGKOK on Thursday….I hope. Staying in Thailand for 1 month…
    I used to go every 2 months…before covid….I hate what that virus has done to this world…this will…I hope be the first time back since Xmas 2019…came back mid Jan 2020….
    I have missed that glorious country so much

  10. John Reply

    To people who live in Bangkok, as I do, it’s kind of just life as normal now. Traffic is back, not as bad as before but it’s frustrating again. Malls have people in them. It’s sad that businesses have closed but that’s more Pattaya and other resorts’ stories instead of Bangkok’s. Air travel and some foreigner attractions aren’t even at a slow normal, and bars are disrupted, but daily life is routine, beyond working and schooling from home.

  11. avi Reply

    great photo essay! really makes me miss Bangkok!

  12. Ivan Gutierrez Jr. Reply

    Hi Matt,

    I was surprised to find your pandemic gallery of Bangkok. Pleasantly so. I, like many, made Bangkok my home when airports and checkpoints closed and Hua Lamphong went silent. Nothing to do but eat, drink, take photos and spread yourself all over your empty hotel like it was your villa. Lol.

    I used my Samsung J2 and learned how to finesse every photo. 4,200 photos and videos. Now I have an A03. But I still have to cajole and manipulate (rolling my eyes)

    What camera do you use? How did you create this fancy website?

    I can send you some of my work just ask. 🙂

    Ivan

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