9 Off the Beaten Path Activities to Do in Bangkok
When people think about Bangkok, places such as the Grand Palace, MBK, Wat Pho and Chatuchak Market immediately spring to mind. But there are so many other things to see and do in this amazing city. Activities that a regular tourist would never know about or possibly think about doing.
Some people would prefer to stray away from the masses and seek out unusual or off the beaten path things to do. Here are 9 off the beaten path things to do in Bangkok.
1. Visit the abandoned Sathorn Unique Tower
Construction started on this tower in the 1990s, but when the builders ran out of money before it could be finished, it was abandoned. And it remains that way! The Sathorn Unique Tower is quite eerie, with many locals even believing that it’s haunted.
The building was 80 percent completed before the construction stopped, so the majority of the floors are still intact. It’s even possible to get to the top of the tower, though it's not recommended due to safety issues. You’re better off heading to the 10th floor of the car park to see the views of the city and the tower from there.
Where: Charoen Krung Road near Saphan Taksin Station
When: All day
How much: Free
2. Wander around an Airplane Graveyard
Since around 2010, a yard started to store junked planes. It has grown into an airplane graveyard that is home to two MD-82 jetliners, a 747 and the nose sections of two Boeing 747s.
The yard is said to be owned by a businessman who sells the parts from the planes for scrap. They have since been stripped of all seats, televisions, interior paneling and overhead compartments, leaving just the shells of the planes.
Three Thai families call the airplane graveyard home, as they say it is much better than living on the street. They have added a few decorations to make them homier, as well as stacked a couple of old tires to use as steps to enter the planes.
Where: Off of Ramkhamhaeng Road near the Wat Sriboonreung ferry terminal
When: All day
How much: 400 Baht
3. Take a ride along the Khlong Saen Saep
Similar to the canals in Venice, it is also possible to take a boat along the Klong Saen Saep. In fact, this is a fantastic form of transportation in the city, as it not only avoids the crowds and the traffic, but is also very picturesque. It’s also a unique way to get around the older areas of Bangkok.
The 72-kilometer canal runs through 21 different districts, with boats running between the Pom Prap Sattru Phai in the west and Bang Kapi in the east. It stops near MBK, CentralWorld, Pratunam, Bumrungrad Hospital and the Phanfa Bridge (near the Grand Palace). This makes it an excellent, non-touristy way to get around.
You can also get off and explore a few off-the-beaten-track places, such as Talad Bobae (garment market), Wat Mai Chonglom (Royal City Avenue) and The Mall Bangkapi (Lad Prao).
Where: Numerous stops along the river
When: 05:30 to 20:30
How much: 8 to 20 baht; depending on distance
4. Dine at the Waterside Restaurant
This is a really unusual, out of the way place that very few tourists know about. In fact, I doubt many of the expats even know that this restaurant exists.
It’s a restaurant, bakery, bar, and karaoke all in one. They serve up some great Thai food and have an extensive dessert menu with everything made at the on-site bakery. There are even a Japanese food kiosk, a crepe making station and a wine bar!
After your meal, finish the night off with a few cocktails or a bottle of Singha, or make your way to the Karaoke to sing your heart out. Most songs are in Thai, although they do have a very small English selection.
Where: Pradit Manutham Alley, Nawamin
When: 17:00 to 01:00
How much: Various Prices
5. Get spooked at the Museum of Death
Officially called the Siriraj Medical Museum, this museum is like something straight out of the movies. You definitely need a strong stomach to be able to look at the parasitic worms, pathological fetuses and preserved organs. The museum even houses the mummified corpse of a notorious serial killer and a massive scrotum that was removed from a man plagued with elephantiasis.
There are five different museums in the Siriraj Medical Museum, each of which displays its very own collection of interesting and somewhat morbid things. It is also home to a separate museum that displays the history of Thai medicine.
Where: 2 Wanglung Road, Siriraj, near Thonburi Railway station
When: Mon, Wed-Sun: 10:00-17:00
How much: 200 Baht
6. Party with young locals
Bangkok’s young university crowd usually head to Royal City Avenue (RCA) at night, and it is the place to head to if you want to drink and party with young Thais. This is Bangkok’s largest entertainment and clubbing area, although it has somehow not become big in the spotlight for visitors.
RCA is a government designated Entertainment Zone that is dotted with live music venues, bars and nightclubs. There is also a cinema, a go-kart track and a bowling alley. In short, it is a great place to have fun and enjoy the company of Bangkok’s younger crowd.
Where: Royal City Avenue
When: Any night
How much: Various Prices
7. Walk around Chinatown
Chinatown is a maze of back alleys, small streets and large avenues. It happens to be one of the largest Chinatown’s in the world and you could literally get lost amongst the street vendors, food carts and hordes of people. But it’s a must!
This is also the best area in the city to tease your taste buds. It is literally bursting with street vendors and restaurants selling an endless supply of eating options. Whether you want barbeque, curry, fried pork or something sweet, you will find it here.
Chinatown is also a great place to shop for cheap souvenirs and gifts. There are street vendors selling everything from antique door knobs to the latest fashion, as well as shop houses that sell toys, gifts and clothes. Be prepared to spend the good part of a day wandering around this historic part of the city.
Where: Yaowarat Road, Charoen Krung Road and everything in between; 10-minute walk from Hua Lamphong MRT station
When: All day
How much: Free
8. Be amazed at the Papaya Vintage Shop
This quirky shop is filled with strange things that look like they could be from a movie set. There is antique furniture, life-size figurines and even old Vespas. Everything is vintage and extremely incredible.
If you are a historian, a movie lover or a cartoonist this place is a must. Although it’s worthwhile to go either way, especially if you’re looking for something unusual to do in Bangkok.
From the outside, the building just looks like an old warehouse. Step inside and you’ll be amazed by everything that fills the place. Things are literally piled up to the ceiling. There is no logic to how things are placed, so you’ll have to explore and look in every crack. You may just find something that you must have!
Where: 306/1 Soi Lat Phrao 55/2 Lat Phrao Rd, near Lat Phrao MRT station
When: 09:00-18:00
How much: Free
9. Take a ride on a Ferris wheel
Sitting right along the Chao Phraya River is the city’s largest Ferris wheel. The 60-meter-high Ferris wheel is part of the open-air mall Asiatique The Riverfront, which is known for its night-market, cabaret shows, restaurants and shops.
A ride on Asiatique Sky is one of the best ways to get spectacular aerial views of the city. You can do this in the evening before dark or at night, be mesmerized by the lights that light up the city after dark.
You can ride the Ferris wheel alone or pay for an entire private gondola. There are 42 in total, all of which are completely enclosed. It is open to all ages, but if you have acrophobia you may want to skip this one.
Where: 2194 Charoenkrung Road, near the Wat Rajsingkorn ferry terminal
When: 17:00-12:00
How much: 400-2,500 baht
