Bringing the Best of Bangkok back to Prague
During our recent business trip to the vibrant city of Bangkok, we discovered a treasure trove of delightful experiences that we'd love to bring back home.
We travel to Bangkok to tighten our business relations & form new bonds. However, we also wanted to explore the local market further. To gather insights while enjoying the city's unique charm. To analyze the daily life on these bustling streets.
A City of Contrasts
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is home to over 10 million people. It is an extraordinary and unique place that captivates visitors worldwide. It is known for its lively and energetic atmosphere that never seems to rest. Its heavy traffic of cars and scooters weaving through the streets can hardly be replicated. The city is a fascinating mix of modern and historical elements that blend seamlessly, creating a rich and diverse visitor experience.
Shopping in a Thai Way
Apart from meeting our partners, we have dedicated our time to store checks. We have visited BigC, Tops & Makro stores. All of whom are our clients.
We were particularly impressed by the cleanliness and organization of the grocery stores we visited in Bangkok. The stores surpassed the standards we're used to in Prague, with some notable differences in layout and offerings. For instance, the bakery and dairy aisles were relatively small, while the fruit and vegetable sections were broad, showcasing a vast array of fresh produce. The aisles were neatly arranged, making shopping a breeze.
One thing that was entirely new for us was the premium shopping malls.
In contrast to Europe, where high-end brands are typically found in boutiques along the high streets, Bangkok boasts super premium shopping malls housing brands like Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. These malls also feature premium grocery stores, a relatively unheard-of concept in Europe.
Last but not least, the street vendors or the range of ready-to-eat meals in convenience stores are vastly superior to anything we have ever encountered in Europe.
The Unparalleled Thai Hospitality
Our trip was consistently met with exceptional politeness and hospitality. From hotels and restaurants to retail stores, the level of service we experienced was truly remarkable - a quality we would love to see more of back home.
The Importance of Face-to-Face Meetings
We remain committed to our remote-first & asynchronous approach. However, our trip to Bangkok reinforced the value of in-person meetings. After a month & years of regular vertical calls, meeting our counterpart in person felt nice. Spending a few days in the office with our clients, we understood their objectives and motivations better. It has also allowed us to brainstorm & look at our projects from a long-term perspective.
Last but not least, going out for dinner together tightens the bond & strengthens the sense of camaraderie, making our interactions more fruitful.
Miscellaneous Discoveries
We were also intrigued to learn that Red Bull originated in Thailand. We also found it interesting that many of the top beer brands sport animal imagery in their logos.
Before we embarked on this journey, a friend mentioned Bangkok has some of the best food scenes in the world. He was not lying.
The city's culinary scene was simply delightful. We have visited various international restaurants with multi-course dinners and new-to-us Thai meals. We even stumbled upon the phenomenon of toasted sandwiches in a bag!
The city's advertising scene, especially in the metro stations, was quite prominent, and we were pleasantly surprised to find most signs in Thai and English.
Our trip to Bangkok was an eye-opening experience that allowed us to gain valuable insights into the retail landscape while enjoying the many beautiful aspects of Thai culture. We hope to incorporate some of the best practices and unique elements we observed during our visit into our work, further bridging the gap between our two countries and enhancing our services for our clients.