Bangkok, the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand since 1782, had long been known by foreign merchants as a dynamic port on the way to Ayutthaya. One of the largest ASEAN cities, it is determined to face the future with innovative projects such as One Bangkok, an integrated district focused on environmental sustainability and smart-city living. Most notably, Bangkok attracts millions of visitors every year as a starting point to explore Thailand.

But how promising is the city in terms of urban sustainability, business, and tourism attractiveness? How influential is it worldwide, according to leading rankings and indices?

Let’s take a closer look at:

  • Bangkok’s competitiveness and financial performance
  • Its city brand strength and global reputation
  • How appealing it is for talent, visitors, and locals

Economic Competitiveness

The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Bangkok 86th, dropping fifteen positions from the previous ranking. It currently sits between Gibraltar (85th) and Tallinn (87th).

According to 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, Bangkok ranks 145th, a drop of one position from the previous ranking.


City Brand Strength and Reputation

According to Brand Finance’s City Index 2023, Bangkok ranks 47th globally with a score of 66.6/100, sitting between Auckland (46th) and Dallas (48th).

Resonance’s 2023 World’s Best Cities Report ranks Bangkok 39th overall and: 15th for restaurants and 5th for shopping.

Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks it 45th, a drop of two positions from the previous edition of the report—now almost on par with Lisbon (44th) and São Paulo (46th). It ranks 105th in the firm’s Global Cities Outlook.

The Global Power City Index ranks Bangkok 38th. In terms of function-specific performance, the city ranks 35th in Economy, 41st in R&D, 12th in Cultural Interaction, 20th in Livability, 45th in Environment, and 35th in Accessibility. Bangkok also ranked 7th for Variety of Workplace Options. Lastly, it positioned 38th among Highly-skilled Workers, 35th among Corporate Executives, 44th among Residents, and 14th in the Tourism sector.


How Attractive Is It as a Place to Live, Work, and Study?

The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Bangkok 124th, whereas the same firm’s Cost of Living Ranking sees it at 105th, a jump of one position from the previous ranking. The cost of living survey reports that factors such as currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods and services, and instability of accommodation prices are key to determining the cost of expat packages for employees on international assignments.


Urban Sustainability

The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Bangkok 72nd overall, sitting between Kuala Lumpur (71st) and Beijing (73rd). Bangkok’s sustainability pillar rankings are: Planet 92nd, People 58th, Profit 73rd.


Last updated in January 2024. More city profiles here.


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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Bangkok’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.