There’s a LOT to do in Bangkok. The city is enormous and even just visiting the big sights like the Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Khao San Road will take the best part of a one week trip to the city, but, while you’re scoping out those sights, or, if it’s your second or third trip to the city (or if you’ve visited multiple times like me!) and you’ve already seen them and looking for something different to do, here’s a few ideas of some more fun and unusual things to do in Bangkok.
This post was originally published in 2020. It is regularly checked and updated after my trips to Bangkok. The last update was in January 2026 – after I came back from trip number eleven!!!
1. Check out the Cartoon Temple
When you first walk into Wat Pariwat in South Bangkok, you’ll wonder what all the fuss is about. From a distance, it just looks like a normal Bangkok temple – but, get closer, and you’ll realise that the statues lining the edges aren’t quite what you expect.
There’s what looks like a Pikachu, a few superheroes, some monks waving chainsaws, and I’m pretty sure that’s Dobby the House Elf and Fawkes the Phoenix from Harry Potter!
That’s why the temple is known as the Cartoon Temple, or, also David Beckham Temple, as one altar has a carving of the footballer.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links which mean I earn a small commission if you use them to book. This does not cost you any extra.
You can spend hours here walking around spotting all the tiny details, and if you really want your mind blown, every single detail here was carved by hand – they were adding petals to the flowers on a second structure when I was there.
To get to Wat Pariwat, you take the BRT – Bus Rapid Transit – from Sathorn Station. You need to get off at Wat Pariwas. It looks complicated, but it’s actually very eas,y and you can pay with your Rabbit Card.
If you want to see more pictures of Wat Pariwat, or, to get more detailed directions on how you get there, check out my longer post on Bangkok’s Most Unusual Temple.
2. Behold The Enormous Buddha
While the details on Wat Pariwas are tiny, another temple in Bangkok has decided that bigger is better.
At Wat Paknam Phasi in west Bangkok, they have built the most enormous Buddha statue. At 69 metres high and 40 metres wide, it towers over the skyline and dwarves anyone standing underneath it.
And it’s not the only amazing thing at this site – there are statues to which people add gold leaf, a very odd museum and the most psychedelic ceiling I’ve seen in a long time.
Wat Khun Chan, just over the other side of the canal, is also worth a detour as it has some quirky giant statues that you can see from the viewing deck at Wat Paknum. I was soaking wet by this point, and feeling a bit grumpy, so I didn’t head round the corner to see it – but I now have all the regrets.
The best way to get to Wat Paknum Phasi is to take the BTS to Wutthakat, from where it’s a 17-minute walk, or head onto the main road and flag down a cab.
Have a picture of the Buddha ready on your phone, as it took a while for them to work out where I wanted to go when I asked.
For more details on what you’ll find at the temple, and a detailed guide on how to get there and make it fit into your Bangkok itinerary, check out our larger post on the Bangkok’s big Buddha
Read This Next: Wat Pariwat and Wat Paknum Phasi aren’t the only unusual shrines and temples in Bangkok, you’ll find seven more in our guide.
3. Snuggle a Unicorn
Okay, so the plushies are getting a bit grubby, but this explosion in a pastel paint factory is still fun to visit.
There are actually two cafes now – known as site A and B. Having been to both, there’s not really a huge difference between them.
Load up on selfies and sugary drinks and basically be a big kid for half an hour or so.
The address is 44/1 Soi Sathon 8, Silom, Bang Rak – it’s pretty near the King Power Building (see below) if you want to double up your sightseeing.
4. Have Coffee in a 747
If you’re a plane nerd, you’ve probably heard about the Aeroplane Graveyard in Bangkok but, that closed in 2022 – but don’t fret as there’s a new place for plane-themed fun in town.
The 747 Café, where you can sit in the cockpit of an old 747 – and push all the buttons.
The only thing that could have made Mr Differentville happier was if they sold beer (which they do at night when there’s a club underneath the plane).
You pay an entry fee to enter the café, but this is redeemable against a drink.
The 747 café is out by Suvarnabhumi Airport. We combined it with an overnight stay at a local hotel as we had a very early flight, but if you want to come out here from Bangkok, then get on the airport line to Lat Krabang (the stop before Suvarnabhumi), then order a Grab to take you the rest of the way.
The official address is 747 Cafe Aeroplane Cafe, 627 1 Luang Phaeng Rd, Thap Yao, Lat Krabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand. It came up on maps when we did it, but if it doesn’t for you, the Itaewon buffet is right next door.
See more pictures and other details in our longer post on the 747 Cafe.
5. Checkout the Fig Lobby
This 4 Star hotel is one of Bangkok’s coolest and quirkiest places to stay, but even if you’re not checking in, you can check it out as the ground floor has a cute cafe, craft centres where you can try throwing pots, fortune tellers, and some fantastically fun toilets. Even if you don’t need to actually go, head in for a look!
Not surprisingly, the rooms here are stylish and modern – and with different colour schemes depending on whether you want masculine or feminine energies while you sleep.
If you can’t quite decide, that’s okay, you can also book rooms by colour – orange, green, blue, etc.
It’s a seriously fun vibe – and they have some great deals if you’re lucky enough to catch one.
Check room rates and prices here.
My Favourite Hotels in Bangkok
Every time I stay in Bangkok, I try to stay somewhere new, and sometimes I’ve even stayed in two different areas on the same trip – which means I’ve stayed in at least 10 different hotels in the city. Here are my favourites.
Panthumwan Princess. Located right on top of the MBK shopping mall, this is in a fantastic location. We booked one of the corner suites with views for miles – and the pool is the best one I have found in Bangkok. Check rates and availability here.
Fraser Suites Soi 11: I once stayed in a room here that was bigger than the upstairs of my house! Located on Soi 11, it’s right in the middle of everything. Check rooms and rates here.
Casa Nithra: In a cute local area a bit north of Khoa San Road, this is a great hotel if you want a smaller property with a more local feel. Check rooms and rates here.
6. Day Trip to Maeklong Railway Market
Okay, it’s not strictly in Bangkok, but it’s a fairly easy day trip and definitely at the top of my list of quirky things to do in Bangkok.
Most of the day, the market is a not-at-all-interesting-for-tourists local market selling fruit, vegetables, fish and household goods, but eight times a day everything stops as the local train runs through the market – and I mean right through it.
And while that happens, you get the chance to stand on the tracks and get up close and personal with it!
The easiest way to get to Maeklong Railway Market is to take an organised tour.
These pick you up in Bangkok and drive you to the market and back, and ones like this one also take you the nearby Amphawa floating market.
However, the cheapest – and, in my opinion, most fun way to get to Maeklong Railway Market is to travel there on the train – you go through the market on your incoming trip, and then can head into the market to watch it come back out again.
How to do it is a bit lengthy, so for full details on the journey, and a video of what it’s like when the train goes past, check out this longer post on how to get to Maeklong Railway Market.
7. Drink at Bangkok’s Highest Bar
Towering 314 metres over Bangkok, heading up to the top of this innovative-looking building is also one of the newest fun things to do in Bangkok.
The easy bit is the observation deck located on the 74th floor, but if that’s not enough for you, you can take a glass lift to the 78th floor.
Here you’ll find areas with glass floors and an outdoor observation deck that seemingly has no walls (gulp), it is NOT suitable for anyone with vertigo!
There is also a bar up there if you want to say you have drunk at the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok.
The tower is open from 10 am to midnight – the last entry is at 11 pm.
If you want to save time queuing before your visit, you can buy tickets in advance here.
8. Go Play with Some Huskies
If you’ve ever wanted to be climbed on by a heap of very fluffy, overexcited dogs, this is going to be your happy place.
It’s called True Love Neverland, and it’s located in the increasingly trendy Ari area of Bangkok.
Once your session begins, you get time to play with the wandering dogs and have the iconic ‘huskies sitting on your head’ photo the place is famous for. At the end, the dogs run back to their (hopefully air-conditioned) shelter and snacks, which is also quite the sight.
Whether it’s a good idea to have a heap of very fluffy dogs used to ice in the steaming heat of Bangkok does need to be pointed out, but the dogs do seem to enjoy being able to jump all over willing humans.
They offer two doggy meeting sessions a day – and you’ll need to get there a bit early to buy tickets as space is limited (the ticket office opens at 11.30 am).
Find the timing on their Facebook page, which also explains how to get there and age requirements.
Ari can be reached easily on the BTS, you’ll then need to get a tuk-tuk down to the husky house.
When the show is over, there are tuk-tuks outside to deliver you back to the station, but there are fewer rides than people, so I’d advise making a hasty exit so you aren’t stuck there for too long.
9. Check out the Manhole Covers
Yaraowat Road in Bangkok is well known for its delicious street food and cool retro street signs, but there’s now a new fun game to play as you walk along it.
There are 18 themed manhole covers all along the route for you to find.
Wander up and down, seeing what you can spot. There signs on some of the street poles in some locations telling you that there is one nearby, or just keep your eyes peeled.
The manhole hunt runs between Odeon roundabout at the corner of Yaowarat Road to the Iron Bridge at Khlong Ong Ang, at the corner of Boriphat Road. It will take you about 45 minutes to walk up each side of the road – if you don’t take too many detours into shops, alleys, shrines or snack spots!
10. Visit The Death Cafe
There’s also another intriguing cafe near Ari BTS station, called the Kid Mai Death Cafe. It has skeletons and lets you lie in a coffin.
However, it also has a serious message. The team behind it hope that by confronting their own mortality and the potential limitations of the human body, people might make the most of their time on the earth.
See more about it in this article that explains what they’re trying to do (and, note the stuff about actually managing to get a coffee!!). It’s open from 9 am to 7 pm seven days a week.
11. Eat a Puppy Ice Cream
No, not one made from real puppies…but they are scarily realistic. Look at those eyes!
The treats are made by ice cream designers Icedea, who specialize in making ice cream treats in unusual shapes.
Their designs change regularly, so have a look at their Instagram page to see what’s on when you are there – last time I looked, they had a fantastic ‘cats in hats’ collection going on.
Find them in the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre opposite MBK – which usually also has some interesting exhibits and is a great place to get out of the heat.
Last time I went to Bangkok Icedea also had a stand at MBK Food Island, one of the best places to get cheap food in Bangkok. I didn’t see them on this visit, but if you’re going there (and you should if you’re watching the pennies), then keep an eye out for them.
12. Have a Cocktail at Tuba
How I have managed to go to Bangkok eight times and not find this treasure trove of a bar is beyond me. It’s AMAZING.
Run by the same people who run Papaya (see the next entry), it’s full of vintage objects, but you get to have cocktails while you check them out!
There are cabinets full of trolls and other toys. Giant Star Wars characters and mannequins, old gadgets and the odd $15,000 Kaws statue dotted about the place.
The cocktail menu is also pretty exciting. I had The Black Magic, which involves fire, dry ice and a side of charcoal.
It’s located in Ekkamai at 34 Soi Ekkamai 21, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana – but you’ll probably want to get a Grab as it’s a bit far from the station.
13. Get Lost in Papaya
Papaya is Tuba’s sister spot – and it’s like the bar on steroids.
It’s technically described as a furniture shop – but that doesn’t quite cover what you’ll find in this fantastic, unique place.
It’s four stories high and crammed with an estimated one million items, including pretty much any genre of retro item you can think of.
The Boyfriend who loves tat and so took himself off for a pilgrimage one afternoon is currently wandering about behind me trying to describe it but has basically said, ‘it’s a museum of junk, well not junk as this stuff is great’…and then he went off on another five-minute ramble about old televisions, cameras and lamps… to summarise though if you like vintage technology, furniture or nick nacks, you’ll absolutely love it.
Papaya is a bit of a trek to get to – taking about an hour by public transport from Nana.
Top Tip: Get a SIM card so you can find the bus stop and know where to get off. Click here to order one before you leave home.
The other option would be to get a Grab, which, traffic willing, will take about 20 minutes from around Nana or Asok (although much longer if you have to go too far along the Sukhumvit road)
Its address is 405, 1 Sukhaphiban 5 Alley, Tha Raeng, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220, Thailand. Find opening hours on their website.
14. Cook With Poo
No, not literally – I know this is a post on unusual things to do in Bangkok, but even I’m not going to get you to actually make poop Pad Thai!
Instead, Poo is the nickname of Bangkok chef Khun Po,o and Cooking With Poo is the name of her cooking course.
Now, there are a lot of cooking courses in Bangkok, so why am I suggesting this one?
Well, it helps that the name doesn’t get old – but more importantly, Poo is from Khlong Toey, which is bluntly known as Bangkok’s biggest slum, and when you take her class, you directly help the people who live there.
Poo buys from local suppliers during the market tour you take before the class, your lessons are held in her classroom in the slum, she employs local staff and the shop opposite that you get a short wander around at the end is stocked with crafts from local people so every baht you spend really goes to helping some of the people of Bangkok who need it most.
For more details of the day and what you might end up cooking, check out my post on the course here.
15. Practise Your Street Art Hunting
I’m not sure if I didn’t notice it before, or if there’s been an explosion in street art areas in Bangkok, because whereas before I’d just see the odd mural here and there, I found heaps of the stuff on this trip.
If you want to do the same, four of the main areas to check out are…
Chaloemla Gardens (and the surrounding streets). A short walk from the MBK shopping centre, this park is full of murals and tags, including renowned ones like Alex Face. It also seems to be super popular for photoshoots.
Talat Noi: This is one of my favourite areas for wandering in all of Bangkok and should definitely be on your list of things to do in Bangkok. It now seems to have a thriving street art scene along the Trok San Chao Rong Kueak Alley.
Watch your step around here, though. I went down there after a massive rainstorm and nearly stepped in this alley – I don’t even want to know how deep that was, or what else was in there!
Charoen Krung Road. This is rapidly becoming one of Bangkok’s hipster areas, and that and murals, go hand in hand. Wander around the streets by Tropic City bar (another must stop) and see what’s new.
The Canal Bank. I was staying at the Fraser Suites hotel at the bottom end of Soi 11, near Nana, and one day, the fastest way to get where I was going was via Petchaburi metro station – the quickest way to which was via a walkway alongside the canals, and the walls were teaming with murals.
On Ang Walking Street: The newest official street art area, this sees murals along either side of the canal – and, from 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night it also has a night market.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t investigate it other times, though as the back alleys on the east of the canal are very atmospheric.
I think I preferred them to the walking street.
16. Get Your Witch On
Hex Bar is located just off the main drag in Chinatown, but it’s a world away – with a tree as a chandelier and stuffed animals in the doorway.
Open 7 am to 4 pm, then 6 pm to 1 pm (closed day times on Thursday), it’s a coffee and juice shop by day, and a cocktail bar by night, so handy to fit into any Bangkok plan.
As I don’t drink coffee, I went for the Yuzu Soda, which was perfect for a hot Bangkok day. Come here at night, though, and you can choose from a menu of classic cocktails – or, stay on brand with concoctions called things like Obedience – that it’s claimed can make anyone do what you want.
17. Investigate the Sathorn Ghost Tower
This is my favourite building in Bangkok.
I’ve been fascinated by it since the very first day I saw it, probably about 15 years ago, and realised it was finished externally, but completely empty.
Then the difference was more obvious, as the walls looked white, but the cavernous, empty windows gaped open to the sky like big black mouths. Also, there were fewer skyscrapers around it.
I’d get out at Saphin Taksin station, ready to board the boats up the river and gaze upwards at it, wondering its story.
As the years have gone on, the building has been more camouflaged by dirt building up on the outside and the other towers growing up around it, but as its exterior gets more hidden, its story has become more well-known.
Started in the 1990s when Asia was booming, the 49-storey tower, officially called the Sathorn Unique building, was built as apartments, but when the baht crashed in 1997, the developers just walked away. It now towers over the city, all empty and spooky.
Most locals steer clear of the place, not least because a number of bodies have been found there (including of at least one tourist), which adds to its scary image and new name of the Ghost Tower.
Entering it is completely illegal, and as the building is falling to pieces, if you do go in, you could add to the body count.
The owners hope to finish the building one day – part of me would love to see it used, part of me would be sad to see a part of my Bangkok disappear.
Erm, I think I just wrote a love letter to an abandoned building!
18. Check Out the Golden Building
It looks like someone covered the Colosseum in sweet wrappers. This is the Gold Dior Building, and it’s actually a Christian Dior shop in the Chitlom area of Bangkok – and, even if expensive handbags aren’t your thing, it might be worth a look.
Inside, you’ll find a hugely OTT cafe selling beautifully designed cakes. There’s also a colour-coded wall of handbags, which sadly they wouldn’t let me photograph, but that I now want in my house!
19. Drink at Jack’s Bar
This is probably my favourite bar in Bangkok.
Why wouldn’t you love it? It’s cheap, authentic, rickety as heck and located directly on the banks of the Chao Praya river.
The real estate around here is pricey, the hotels are five-star, but Jack’s carries on oblivious to the gentrification. Don’t be fooled, though; it might look basic, but at least one renowned Thai chef comes here to eat.
They have the best Larb Moo Tod – spicy pork meatballs – I have had.
Grab one of the front seats and watch the world float past as you drink beer and eat spring rolls at budget-friendly prices – it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon, evening, or early hours of the morning – the choice is yours.
Jacks is at 62/1 Wat Suan Phlu Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. It’s easy to combine with a trip to Icon Siam (see below) – you can even watch the outdoor fountain if you pick the right seats, the Boat Temple or any boat trip that drops you at Saphan Taksin.
20. Visit the ‘Floating Market’ in Icon Siam
The Icon Siam shopping mall is not just a mall, it’s a mega destination – and it’s the perfect thing to do before a trip to Jacks.
They’ve got a fake floating market on the first floor, which gives you a chance to sample heaps of iconic Thai dishes in air-conditioned comfort. There are shops that actually sell supercars. The restaurants on the 6th-floor balcony have a lovely view over the river – and then, there are the water features (plural).
The one outside the mall is the longest fountain in Southeast Asia at a stretchy 400m. It struts its stuff to music four times a day at 4.30, 6.30, 8 and 9 pm
However, inside on the 6th Floor is another amazing waterfall-type feature that I spent a good twenty minutes staring at. Designed by the same people who did the mega fountain, it falls 15 metres from the ceiling in an ever-changing display of lights and water shapes. It’s mesmerising.
21. Browse The Store That Time Forgot
From one of Bangkok’s newest shopping emporiums to one steeped in history.
If you’re exploring the sights of Bangkok’s vibrant Little India, don’t forget to stop into The Nightingale Olympic – aka the store that time forgot.
Built in 1966, this is Bangkok’s oldest department store – and it still looks like you’ve wandered in from the set of Mad Men! You’ll find the full story of the shop – then and now, in this BBC article.
The store’s stock is a mix of items for sale – lingerie, cosmetics, sports equipment and items just for looking at for history’s sake (basically, if it doesn’t have a price, it’s not for sale).
There’s probably not really anything here you’re actually going to need on your trip, but I wish they had like a hidden fridge of drinks or something so you could at least buy something to contribute to the privilege of being able to look around such a cool old shop.
You’ll find it at 70 Tri Petch Road, Wang Burapha Phirom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok 10200. It’s closed on a Sunday.
22. Eat Brains (and less scary things) on a Food Tour
I said I’d never eat brains – and then I went on the food tour from Food Tours Bangkok around Bangkok’s street food centre, Bangrak.
As part of this we ended up at the Muslim Restaurant on Charoen Krung Road – and one of the dishes they brought out was brains. There’s no picture; they aren’t photogenic! So have a picture of some soup from the tour instead.
Let’s just say, I do not need to try brains again – but I would take the food tour again as it also took us to try the delicious breakfast soup above, amazing coconut cookies and a restaurant with a som tum so good I had to go back and have it a second time.
If you’re a bit nervous about where to eat in Bangkok, I’d definitely recommend the tour to get your confidence up – after all, if you can eat brains, you can eat anything!
Oh and don’t worry, they won’t force you to eat the brains!
This tour is a day time tour, but if you’re looking for an evening food tour, you might want to check out this super fun nighttime food tour by tuk tuk.
Or, the other great street food area in Bangkok is Chinatown, so definitely wander around there during your stay.
23. Visit Khlong Toey Market
This is Bangkok’s largest fresh food and wet market and, if you love food markets, a morning wandering the stalls here is a must-do.
Row after row of tasty-looking fruit – and less tasty-looking insects – are there for you to explore.
It’s pretty easy to get to – just jump on the metro to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and then it’s a short walk – but make sure you wear closed-toed shoes. This is not a flip-flop-friendly market!
I’d also suggest going early in the morning. It gets hot in the inside areas.
24. Meet Some Bangkok Snakes
Close to the dodgy bars of Bangkok’s infamous Patpong district is the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute and its snake farm
It’s open to tourists, but it’s actually run by The Red Cross and its main purpose is to help police, health workers and local people learn about snakes; it also helps create antivenom via its snake milking programme.
Every day, the Institute puts on a snake show for tourists. It’s 2.30 on weekdays, at 11 am at weekends. If you’re interested in snake milking, that happens at 11 am on weekdays.
25. Try 40-Year-Old Stew
The enormous pot of beef soup bubbling at the front of Wattana Panich restaurant has apparently not stopped cooking in the 40 years the restaurant has been open.
They just add to it at the beginning of every day.
The closest station is Ekkamai, but it’s still a bit of a walk up the road. They are open until they sell out so, if you’re going for lunch, aim for the early part of lunchtime so you don’t walk up there and find them closed.
There’s no English menu, but just gesture at someone else’s dish, and you’ll do fine.
26. Find the Backstreet Buddha
I stumbled across this while doing a walk around the backstreets north of Khao San Road, and at 32 metres high and 10 metres wide, it’s pretty huge – and it was here long before the new Buddha was.
Apparently, the statue took 60 years to build.
To give you an idea of scale, this is just his feet.
The temple is called Wat Indharaviharn, and it’s also known for its altar that is said to bless success on people.
This is pretty much off the tourist trail, but the area around here is fun to wander if you want to see a bit of a less-touristy area of Bangkok. If that sounds like fun, check out our mini-walking tour showing you this, and a few other of the less touristy things around Khao San Road.
27. Eat at Gaggan
The original Gaggan restaurant in Bangkok was voted one of Asia’s best restaurants four times.
Famous for mixing Indian flavours with experimental techniques and the most amazing presentation (the dish below is from when I went a while back), the multi-course menu was the stuff of legend.
The place was booked out night after night so, it was therefore a bit shocking when Gaggan announced he was closing it after a few disagreements with his partners.
It didn’t take him long to open up a new site, though – and it’s just as much fun.
You might have a dish shaped like a brain that glows in the dark, you might sing between courses, there’s a disco ball. Oh, and you also don’t actually know what you were eating until afterwards, as the whole menu was described only by emoji.
No one really knows what might happen, except for some amazing food.
It’s located in close to Asok or Phrom Phong stations, and trust me, if you manage to snag a table, you’ll be impressed. The multi-course menu costs 16,000 baht ++
28: Cool Off With an Ornate Lolly
I stumbled across these while taking a quick detour up a side street in Chinatown, and thought they were adorable.
This one was the orange one, and it’s as tasty as it is pretty!
You’ll find the stall next to the entrance of the Wat Mongkol Samakhom on Plaeng Nam Road.
Who Writes Differentville?
My name is Helen Foster and I’m a journalist and author living in Sydney.
My travel articles have been published in titles including The Australian, Body & Soul at the Sunday Telegraph, RAC Horizons, Jetstar magazine and more.
I like the weird, the wonderful and anything that makes me jump and down with glee like I’m about three. That’s what you’ll find here.
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Love this list. Maeklong Railway Market–there’s a similar train in Hanoi that goes right through a residential area. So many intersting things to do on your list. 40 year old stew. Ghost buildings. I didn’t like Bangkok when I went in 2002. Maybe I’ll have to try again.