Top Ten Things to Do in Bangkok

Top Ten Things to Do in Bangkok

Posted by Mark Philip

Image by Deror Avi sourced from wiki media commons

Bangkok, as the capital city of Thailand, is certainly well-known for a few things.

Among these are likely to be the seemingly endless traffic jams and congestion, along with the noise, chaos and humidity – not to mention the shopping malls, markets, and nightlife, along with vast, flavoursome choices of exotic food, to name but a few.

Bangkok is certainly an interesting and exciting city, with many bizarre-seeming, often conflicting elements that leave many a visitor scratching their heads in puzzlement, with others often coming back for more.

With a population going on for ten million, all walks of life seem to be entertained in this city. And although there do often seem to be a particular bunch of stereotypical things on many a tourist’s ‘to do’ itinerary, Bangkok is actually a lot more diverse in some of the attractions and activities that it has to offer than merely temple tours and hi-so shopping malls.

So with that in mind, let us now look at some of the other options of activities available in Bangkok for the visitor who might be looking for something other than the standard ‘rose garden tour’ or day out trawling around temples that they may already have seen before.

1. Flow House

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What? Never considered Bangkok as the place to catch a wave or two? Well welcome to Flow House Bangkok, which has an artificial wave machine as a focal point.

A great way to cool off in the tropical humidity of Bangkok, this is an activity suitable for individuals, couples or whole families to have fun and maybe try something for the first time.

Seasoned surfers may even enjoy the novelty of this urban activity termed ‘flow riding’ – something of a hybrid mix of surfing and wake boarding, on a ramp that is inflatable. The wave is simulated via a jet of water that is pumped up and over it to create the impression of a perpetual breaking wave.

Experienced are allowed straight in, while children might try with a body board to begin. Guidance is offered by the staff if required (via a rope) and they are on hand to help and encourage if necessary. Indeed this is a novel and popular thing to do in the heart of the city of Bangkok.

Location: 120/1 A-Square, Soi Sukhumvit 26, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 11am to 10pm

Phone: +66 (0)99 083 8787

2. Zanook Wake Park Bangkok

Continuing along the lines of the water theme, wake boarding is also on offer as an activity in Bangkok along with surfing.

There are actually a number of wake boarding parks in and around Bangkok, but Zanook Wake Park is one of the capital’s busiest. This is basically a lake with a floating, inflatable playground in the centre of it.

Image by Starjeunesse sourced from wiki media commons

Again, a suitable activity for either experienced or novice wake boarders, Zanook Bangkok offers something exciting to do in Bangkok involving cooling off in the water, relatively close to the old part of the city. To help you get your bearings in terms of location, it’s close to the Bang Wa BTS Skytrain Station on the main Silom Line.

Location: 77 Thanon Bang Bon 3, Bang Bon, Bangkok 10150, Thailand

Open: Monday–Friday from 11.30am to 9.30pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9am to 9.30pm

Phone: +66 (0)2 104 9053

3. Flight Experience

Another experience for those feeling a little adventurous and looking for something to do in Bangkok that is a little outside of the usual expected itinerary, Flight Experience Bangkok is a simulator that provides the feeling of flying a jumbo jet.

Again, this activity is great for all ages, and especially families with kids having aspirations of becoming pilots, or just those who love planes. Apparently research has also shown that it can go some way to the alleviation of the fear of flying.

Image by Superjetinternational sourced from wiki media commons

Flight Experience Bangkok is so realistic that its cockpit has actually been featured in local film and TV as a stand-in for the real thing.

Location: Gateway Ekkamai Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, 22 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Phone: +66 (0)2 048 9922

4. Art Galleries

Bangkok actually has a small but vibrant contemporary art scene. This is represented by a pocket of art galleries, some private and some commercial, that facilitate visual insights into the Thai capital.

Local and regional artists are either responsible for or represented by most of the city’s galleries. For those with an interest in activities with artistic leanings, a day of gallery-hopping, could be just the ticket when looking for things to do in Bangkok, although there is no central focal point as such for Bangkok’s galleries, which are spread out all over the city.

There are a few art complexes in the city like the Queen’s Gallery that promote both established and up-and-coming regional and city-based artists from Thailand. In fact, a wide range of contemporary art, design, music, theatre and film is provided by The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC), which this complex is linked to.

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In a more traditional and historic vein is The Bangkok National Gallery, which specialises more in work by Thai artists from the 17th century onwards, and is also host to more permanent exhibitions such as that containing works by famous and beloved Thai kings such as King Rama VI and King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

5. Cooking Classes

It’s safe to say that the culinary arts of Thailand are a point of interest for most budding cooks around the world. And everyone who has ever visited their local Thai restaurant has wondered just how some of those delightful-looking dishes come into being exactly.

So why not learn directly from the source, and take a class in Bangkok with local Thai cooks who will elicit various insights into the different base ingredients and techniques that comprise real Thai cuisine.

Image by Deror Avi sourced from wiki media commons

Many classes in Bangkok provide some form of certification, and some may include a visit to a local market, so that you can see witness first-hand how many of the the ingredients are chosen and bought.

Other one again may utilise a combination of theoretical learning and practical application in the kitchen, giving you the confidence to trust in your own results.

This wonderful way of spending time doing something in Bangkok will allow you to return home with a new skill and impress your friends.

Examples of Thai cooking schools offering classes to foreigners include:

The Pink Chili Cooking Class https://www.cookingschoolbangkok.com/

Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy https://www.thaicookingacademy.com

6. Cycling

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In all honesty this is not something that is highly or even usually recommended in Bangkok as a means of transport. However, in the right context and setting, cycling in Bangkok can allow you to take a detour off the standard well-beaten tourist trail of inner-city markets and malls.

This is an altogether different way to connect with the city that is impossible to experience through other transportation modes, including walking.

If you head out of the central city area towards, the quieter, more suburban, more traditional (and cycling friendly) regions of Bangkok such as Thonburi, you are more likely to discover less-likely places of interest to the common tourist and surprising beauty in the form of orchards, quiet village areas, and the occasional ancient temple.

It is even possible to take a tour on a Saturday night in the historic region of the city which comprises areas around Rattanakosin Island, which includes temples such as Wat Pho, and Wat Suthat.

Or if you consider yourself more of an early bird than maybe a Sunday morning tour around the canals of Thonburi is more your thing. One thing is for sure, this kind of activity certainly provides a different insight into the city of Bangkok, allowing the discovery different aspects of Thai life. Some cycling tours may involve a short ferry ride to the starting point.

Check out these tour operators for more information:

Just Nok Bike Tours https://www.justnoktours.com

Bangkok Bike Tours https://www.gobangkoktours.com

Co Van Kessel Cycling Tours https://www.covankessel.com

7. Ice skating

When considering things to do in the humid tropical heat of Bangkok, along with surfing and wake boarding, a round of ice-skating might also come as a welcome retreat.

There is a surprisingly high number of Ice-skating rinks in Bangkok, which may provide a nice alternative to the afternoon heat, and are obviously also a great way to utilise quality family time, unlike many Bangkok pursuits which can sometimes be less than family friendly.

Image by Odinoat sourced from wiki media commons

Most Bangkok ice rinks are located on the higher levels of the city’s expansive shopping malls, so if you are inclined towards a bit of shopping then perhaps the two pursuits could be combined.

Some of the ice rinks in Bangkok are even Olympic-sized. Lessons are available in some of the mall rinks, or if you are ready and willing to the ice like a pro, simply hire out your skates, pay the fees and away you go!

Find an ice rink in many malls such as Siam Paragon and Central Rama 9,
Or check out:

Sub-Zero Ice Skate Club

Location: 1239 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Phone: +66 (0)2 391 1944

8. Go Karting

Another action activity in Bangkok is go-karting. Again there are more go karting tracks than you may believe, but an easy one to find is Easy Kart Bangkok at one of the city’s prime entertainment venues (usually for nightlife) Royal City Avenue – otherwise known as RCA.

An exciting thing to do in the otherwise slow-moving chaos of Bangkok, go-karting is accessible to different age groups and all levels of experience from rank beginner to would-be-professional.

Image by Ashlack sourced from wiki media commons

At Easy Kart they electronically record and display the lap times for those feeling competitive, and you can even get a print out of your lap times afterwards if you are so inclined. This particular place has a viewing deck above the track for viewing, making it an ideal way to spend some time in Bangkok with friends or family.

Location: 31/11 RCA Plaza, 2nd Floor, Rama 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320, Thailand

Open: Daily from 1pm to midnight

Phone: +66 (0)2 203 1205 ext. 24

9. The Snake Farm

When in Siam, the land of mythical, snake-like creatures such as the ‘phayana’, why not pay a visit to the Snake Farm?

Image by Tapperfrank sourced from wiki media commons

This place was actually opened with the intention of finding and producing anti-venom serums for victims of snake bites in Thailand. It has, however, also become an attraction in Bangkok in recent years.

Here you can get the opportunity to see some of the many poisonous snakes that re rife in the country, from cobras, pit vipers and banded kraits, to name some of the more well-known varieties.

Thankfully there won’t be too much danger involved as all snakes in this vicinity have their venom extracted. There is plenty of information and the option of a close-up encounter with some of these would-be-killer varieties of snake.

There are also live shows featuring snakes which provide more insights into the role of the snake farm, which is actually situated within the grounds of Chulalongkorn University.

Location: Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, 1871 Thanon Rama IV, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Open: Monday–Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9.30am to 1pm

Phone: +66 (0)2 252 0167

10. Sea Life Ocean World

Undoubtedly the finest that Thailand has to offer, Ocean World in Bangkok is a huge three-storey aquarium under Siam Paragon shopping centre. This is a huge and highly impressive aquatic wonderland and one of the largest in the SE Asian region.

Image by Felixtriller sourced from wiki media commons

There is an extensive range of over 30,000 different varieties of aquatic creatures from various regions in the world, and some of them are rather exotic-looking to say the least. Be prepared for the somewhat over-the-top entrance fees that go with the territory of Siam Paragon though if taking the whole family.

Location: B1-B2 Floor, Siam Paragon Building, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm

Phone: +66 (0)2 687 2000