Categories > Guides and Tips
15 Unique and Unusual Things to Do in Bangkok
- Venture into the canals of the Chao Phraya River
- Visit Pattaya’s Sanctuary of Truth
- Be amazed by Bangkok’s Airplane Graveyard
- Check out the Bang Kwang Prison
- Experience the macabre Human Body Museum
- Relax and unwind at the Double Dogs Tea Room
- Visit the shrine of the Goddess Tuptim
- Marvel at the works of the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
- See the history of Thai Medicine at the Siriraj Medical Museum
- Take a detour at the Papaya Vintage Shop
- Be amazed at the statues of the Erawan Museum
- Enjoy the shows at the Scala Cinema
- Bask in the colours of the Pak Klong Talad Flower Market
- Experience rural vibes at Ko Kret
- Watch some puppet shows at Baan Silapin Artist’s House
Bangkok is full of things and experiences for you to enjoy. You’ve probably heard of the more common ones like bar-hopping and eating a romantic dinner while cruising along the Chao Phraya River.
But did you know that you can do a lot of unique and unusual things in Bangkok to make your trip here more memorable? We’ve listed down some of them to give you an idea of some exciting things to do in this capital of Thailand.
Venture into the canals of the Chao Phraya River
One of the most common things tourists do when in Bangkok is to cruise down the Chao Phraya while taking in the sights or feasting on their dinner buffet. However, there is a certain portion of the river that you need to visit if you want to experience the past.
The khlongs or the branching canals of the Chao Phraya offer a glimpse of the history of the city before the expressways and skyscrapers were built. Here, you’ll see traditional houses on stilts made from teak wood.
Pro tip:
- Take a photo of some of the teak houses you’ll see along the Chao Phraya so you can compare how they look versus the traditional houses in other regions of Thailand.
You’ll note these differences and distinctive styles in the materials used and the structure which are commonly influenced by the environment and religious beliefs of that particular region.
Visit Pattaya’s Sanctuary of Truth
Address: 206, 2 Soi Naklua 12, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +6638110653
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Cost:
- 500 THB for adults
- 250 THB for children
The Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya (guide to sanctuary of truth, Pattaya) near Bangkok is one of the most unique temples in Thailand. It’s a must visit especially if you want to experience the traditional vibe and feel of the biggest wooden temple in the country.
As you enter the temple grounds, you’ll be greeted by its intricately decorated and adorned facade. It’s truly jaw-dropping if it’s your first time to see a gigantic sculpture of a 4-faced Brahma, one of the first highlights of the temple’s exterior.
You can then explore the interior of the museum which has 4 halls along with a central chamber. Each chamber features unique structures that represent different tenets of Buddhism– they’re a sight to behold and one that you shouldn’t miss.
Pro tip:
- Aside from the museum’s grounds and halls, you can also experience other activities at the Sanctuary of Truth. This includes visiting the nearby 3D art exhibit and the viewpoints around Pattaya.
Be amazed by Bangkok’s Airplane Graveyard
Address: 15, 1 Ramkhamhaeng 125 Alley, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok 10240, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +66924948459
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost:
- Around 200 to 300 THB per person
One of the most fascinating locations you can visit in Bangkok (or anywhere really) is the city’s aeroplane graveyard. Located in the eastern portion of the city, you’ll see the old steel shells of aircraft that have been decommissioned by the Thai government.
You’ll see various types of aircraft here ranging from Md-82s to Boeing 747. If you want to delve deeper, you can always enter these crafts interiors to marvel at the technical advancement that these once glorious machines flaunted above our skies.
Aside from their interiors, you’ll also see the different strewn parts of these planes such as fuselages, wings, and debris. It’s haunting and awe-inspiring considering that you get to witness the deterioration of these jets right in the middle of a thriving city.
Pro tip:
- When entering the shells of these downed aircraft, be extra careful! There are pointy edges on the surfaces of these planes that you might get minor injuries (scratches, small puncture wounds, etc.) if you walk right into them.
Check out the Bang Kwang Prison
Contact Numbers: +6625250484
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Closed on Saturday and Sunday
The Bang Kwang Prison has been referred to as the Bangkok Hotel and you may have heard of it in various movies or books. It’s one of the country’s largest penitentiary facilities and if it’s a hotel, then some may check in but they never check out.
Doom and gloom aside, you can actually visit this prison to see what life is like behind bars. You also get to see the day-to-day operations of Bang Kwang Prison along with the efficient but strict rule of law imposed by the wardens and jail guards here.
You might feel pity for some who got incarcerated for minor crimes such as petty theft. However, there are some hardcore prisoners here jailed for more serious offences such as homicide– a hair-raising but extremely unique activity you need to try out in Bangkok!
Pro tip:
- Due to the strict and hectic schedule of the prison, don’t expect to be allowed to visit and explore the prison grounds for extended periods of time. You’ll only get around 30 minutes to check out and see what life is like behind bars.
Experience the macabre Human Body Museum
Address: 34 Henri Dunant Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +6622188635
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Friday and Monday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Instead of giving you a model body made from other materials, the Human Body Museum in Bangkok decided to display real dissected human bodies for you to marvel at and stare at. Yes, we wrote “bodies” since there are 14 of them on display here.
There is good reason though as to why these bodies are dissected and on full display. The museum is located in Chulalongkorn – one of the best medical universities in Thailand which you can visit to learn more about human anatomy.
If this unusual and macabre tour is something you want to sign up for, then you’re in luck as the Human Body Museum will let you in free of charge during their operating hours.
Pro tip:
- If you happen to visit the museum with locals, you might notice that they don’t get too queasy. This is because Thais aren’t easily affected by blood and gore as evidenced by the amount of graphic pictures shown in local newspapers.
Relax and unwind at the Double Dogs Tea Room
Address: 406 Yaowarat Rd. Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +66863293075
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Located in Yaowarat, the centre of Bangkok’s Chinatown, you’ll see the Double Dogs Tea Room. The area surrounding the establishment is full of food carts selling noodles and other Chinese street food along with some fruits and trinkets.
What makes Double Dogs Tea Room stand out though is that aside from the air- conditioned and calming interiors, it offers some interesting Buddhist books in one corner for you to pick and enjoy reading while sipping on your tea.
Their tea and snack items are also heavenly and we highly recommend that you order their Chinese Yin Zhen and Chinese Oolong Tea if you’re serious about calming your weary body and mind while touring Bangkok.
Pro tip:
- You can get better value for money if you order their pot instead of single-cup-sized teas. Single cup ones cost around 65 to 80 THB while a pot can serve around 3 people and will only cost you around 140 to 200 THB.
Visit the shrine of the Goddess Tuptim
Address: 166/1 Wang Lang 2, Siri Rat, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Contact Numbers: N/A
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The shrine of the Goddess Tuptim is somewhat of an oddity. If you visit this site, you won’t find ornately adorned temples or Buddha statues.
Instead, you’ll see statues and carvings of phalluses with ribbons decorating each one. You might be wondering “Why, though?” and the answer is quite simple– Tuptim is a fertility goddess and is believed to help people get pregnant and conceive.
You might also spot a local or two offering lotus buds or incense sticks to the shrine. It’s actually their way of asking the Goddess Tuptim for either fertility or prosperity.
Pro tip:
- You can also take home one of these phallic symbols as they are sold in the nearby markets as an amulet of protection and good luck.
These figures supposedly have a good track record so if you want good luck, protection, or even a newborn baby, you may want to give this one a shot.
Marvel at the works of the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
Address: 1871 Rama IV Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +6622520167
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Sunday
Cost
- 200 THB for adults
- 50 THB for children
Managed and run by the Thai Red Cross, the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, this site offers guests the chance to learn more about snakes. Here, you’ll learn that these reptiles shouldn’t always be feared but also appreciate their unique lives.
You’ll feel like you’re in a zoo dedicated to snakes if you check out this snake farm and you can watch live specimens behind glass displays.
You can also stay and watch the shows that feature the process of how snake venom is extracted to create antivenom serum.
Pro tip:
- If you visit in the afternoon, you can watch the venom extraction show and also get the opportunity to handle some of the tame and trained snakes. The handlers will assist you here to ensure your and the animal’s safety.
See the history of Thai Medicine at the Siriraj Medical Museum
Address: Thailand, Bangkok, Thanon Wang Lang
Contact Numbers: +6624196363
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you’re queasy and uneasy about seeing medical deformities and human body parts, a trip to the Siriraj Medical Museum might make your stomach turn. It’s definitely a unique and unusual place to visit when you’re in Bangkok and one that is truly unforgettable.
Located inside Siriraj Hospital, this museum houses preserved organs, infants, and dissected cadavers that you can check out and stare at as you pass its eerie halls. You might spot a medical student or two but they’re most likely finishing their homework.
There’s also a section in this museum where you can see preserved human organs as they are infected by parasites and other diseases. If you’re into such things, then this museum is going to be a great learning and eye-opening experience for you!
Pro tip:
- One of the most interesting cadavers on display here is that of Si-Ouey, the first known serial killer in the country.
His mummified remains are located in one of the glass stands of the museum for you to take photos of and be mesmerised with (if that’s the right word for it!).
Take a detour at the Papaya Vintage Shop
Address: 405 Sukhaphiban 5 Alley, Tha Raeng, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +6625398220
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Here’s another spot in Bangkok that you need to visit if you want something unusual to do in the city– the Papaya Vintage Shop. It would be an understatement to call this location a “store” as it’s definitely more than just that.
You can purchase various trinkets from this vintage shop and they’re not just ordinary items. These items on display have their own histories and if they can talk, you’ll probably listen for hours to the stories they have to tell.
If you’re up for some collector’s items such as tabletop pieces, furniture, and other unique stuff, then this is the place to be in Bangkok.
Pro tip:
- We recommend visiting this shop more than once as you can see new vintage items added each time. You just might find the trinket you want on your next visit!
Be amazed at the statues of the Erawan Museum
Address: Tambon Bang Muang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +66886959307
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost:
- 400 THB per person
You’ll surely miss out on a lot if you don’t visit the Erawan Museum when you’re in Bangkok. It holds the distinction of having the biggest and the first hand-carved sculpture in the entire world– that of a three-headed elephant.
Once you explore the museum, you’ll be treated to its unique layout, dividing the building into three distinct floors. Each floor represents heaven, earth, and the underworld and each level has something unique to offer you.
The top-most floor represents heaven and is loaded with Buddha statues while the second floor representing earth has tons of antiques and art pieces for you to enjoy. The first floor represents the underworld and contains the museum founder’s artefacts.
Pro tip:
- To make your tour of the Erawan Museum grounds much more enjoyable, we recommend renting an e-bike to ride around on.
They rent them out for 250 THB for the first three hours and an additional 100 THB per hour in excess of the first three.
Enjoy the shows at the Scala Cinema
Address: 184 216 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +6622512861
Operating Hours:
- N/A
Scala Cinema can give you a vintage and old-school feel of what it’s like to watch a movie in a theatre in the 1960s and 1970s.
It’s more modest than the more modern cinemas located in the Siam Paragon Complex across the road but this is where we think you’ll appreciate Scala Cinema’s charm. It offers bargain-priced popcorn and seats along with that retro feel you can only get here.
You’ll also notice that almost everything about the theatre has been preserved to keep that authentic feel of being in another era. From the building to the ticket booth, you’ll surely want to visit this retro theatre for its old-school cool.
Pro tip:
- Scala Cinema is a unique part of Thai culture and history that you need to check out if you’re a history buff.
Standing onsite, you’ll almost immediately notice the different vibe around the cinema’s area as the retro feel of the structure is totally in contrast to the modern high-rises and skyscrapers surrounding it.
Bask in the colours of the Pak Klong Talad Flower Market
Contact Numbers: N/A
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pak Klong Talad Flower Market can literally be called the centre of flower power here in Bangkok. Here, you’ll get the chance to see various flowers sold and arranged in bulk.
It’s impressive to see truckloads of these vibrant and colourful flora all sourced from across Thailand where you’ll see lilies, orchids, forget-me-nots, and roses.
The scene here can be quite chaotic especially as suppliers and customers try to haggle and get the best rates for these flowers. However, you can just take this all in and enjoy these scenes in the flower market as they unfold.
Pro tip:
- You’re not limited to the flowers for sale on this market. Look around and you’ll also see other trinkets and pieces with a flower theme– perfect if you’re looking for that souvenir from one of the biggest flower markets in Thailand.
Experience rural vibes at Ko Kret
Address: Ko Kret, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
Contact Numbers: N/A
Operating Hours:
- N/A
Located to the north of Bangkok about 20 kilometres away, Ko Kret (guide Ko Kret Bangkok) is an artificially created island that you need to explore if you want to experience something unique.
It has a very rural atmosphere with a busy weekend market and stalls for you to check out and tons of temples you can visit.
The most unique aspect of Ko Kret though is its one-of-a-kind Mon pottery which features unique and intricate designs you won’t find anywhere else in Thailand.
Pro tip:
- The largest temple for you to check out in Ko Kret is the Wat Pak-Ao with its 10-metre tall leaning chedi. It’s not easy to miss though as it’s located just behind the ferry which you can easily visit when you’re in the area.
Watch some puppet shows at Baan Silapin Artist’s House
Address: 309 Soi Phetkasem 28 Khuha Sawan, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Contact Numbers: +66848807340
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Now this one is for the kids and the kids-at-heart– Baan Silapin Artist’s House! It’s a celebration of everything traditional and unique about Thai culture presented to you and your kids through the interesting exhibits displayed here.
You can check out the paintings, portraits, and drawings displayed around the Artist’s House. Afterward, you can then proceed to the gallery cum gift shop to look at some of the unique handcrafted trinkets on sale here.
The most interesting part of your trip to the Artist’s house though, are the puppet shows they regularly have on location. These traditional Thai puppet shows aim to share with you and the other guests the beauty and importance of the country’s local culture.
Pro tip:
- Before going straight to the Artist’s House, you can grab a quick meal or snack at some of the restaurants lining up the road leading to the site.
There are riverside restaurants and food stalls here that can serve you delicious local cuisine at an affordable price!
