Unique things to do in Bangkok
For those of you who have come to Thailand many times before, I’m sure we constantly find ourselves going back to the same set of experiences that give us joy: the incredible variety of street foods and endless list of night markets to visit.
While the Land of Smiles never fails to constantly surprise us with new cafes and night markets, we have collated a list of 8 unique things to do in Bangkok whilst you’re here. Not too late to be a trendsetter right?
So if you’re tired of cafe-hopping or shopping, read on to find out more about these unique ways to make your time in the capital more memorable and exciting, beyond that perfunctory Chatuchak run of course.
1. Skydiving Thailand Bangkok
This one’s for all our adrenaline junkies out there. There’s no need to pack your bags to head out to countries like New Zealand or Australia for some world-class drop zones. From ฿8,300 (~USD236), you’ll be able to go sky-diving right in the heart of Bangkok – and also in Pattaya and Chonburi – with Skydiving Thailand.
As the whole process is supervised, there’s no need to fear even if you’re a beginner. All you’ve gotta do is jump and get ready to take in the beautiful sights of the city from a completely different perspective. We’re talking having a literal bird’s eye view.
If you’re afraid of taking the leap on your own, you could also book an appointment with your friends and go for group dives together. We’re pretty sure this makes a 10/10, once-in-a-lifetime bonding activity.
As Maverick says, “Don’t think. Just do.” Yep, it’s time head over to their site and make your booking now.
Skydiving Thailand Bangkok
Address: 50/988 Moo 2 Bueng Yitho, Thanyaburi, Bangkok 12130
Opening hours: 7.30AM – 5.30PM, Daily
Telephone: +66 9 0885 8882
Google Maps | Website
2. Chang Chui Flea Market: Visit an abandoned plane
I know we said we are trying to move away from the usual night market shenanigans… but you’ve got to check this one out. There are night markets, and then there’s Chang Chui Flea Market – set up inside and around an abandoned plane.
Other than the usual street stalls set up around the night market, there’s also a fine-dining restaurant within the plane itself. Honestly, with the fully stacked interior with crystal chandeliers, mahogany furniture and renaissance era statues, any interior designer would be blown away once they’ve set foot in here.
Like other impressive night markets we’ve been to, Chang Chui presents itself with artistic flair. You can find graffiti on the various container walls here along with art galleries, live music and workshops for you to take part in. So other than a full belly and lots of photos taken within the grungy set-up, you could very well walk away with some self-made art pieces too.
Chang Chui Flea Market
Address: 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Bang Phlat, Bangkok 10700
Opening hours: 11AM – 11PM, Daily
Nearest train station: MRT Sirindhorn
Google Maps
3. Catch a glimpse of Bangkok’s Ghost Tower featured in The Promise
Full disclosure before I continue: I’m a film junkie and I do love a good horror film. And boy, has Thai cinema perfected the art of horror flicks – mostly by pairing real, tangible fears with the unknown. Magnifique. Imagine my excitement when I found out that the set of the Thai horror flick The Promise was an actual building in the capital?
Built more than a decade ago – and abandoned after the financial crisis in 1997 – here’s a pic of Sathorn Unique Tower AKA Bangkok’s Ghost Tower.
The building was initially meant to be a condominium complex. Since it was abandoned while the project was nearing completion, the ruins that remain include fully constructed rooms, balconies and pillared walls – now filled with graffiti art accumulated over the years.
While it is definitely eerie to visit alone, especially if you’ve just caught The Promise – which was filmed at the building itself, Sathorn Unique Tower actually promises excellent views of the sunset. So instead of heading to yet another rooftop bar, perhaps this could be your pitstop for the evening.
Note: The building has been closed for a while, though it has not deterred tourists from visiting it over the years. Should you decide to visit the building, we’d recommend keeping a distance and to make sure that your safety is the top priority.
Sathorn Unique Tower
Address: PG88+W38, Charoen Krung Rd, Yan Nawa, Sathon, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening Hours: *Enter the vicinity at your own discretion*
Google Maps
4. Good Noodle Bangkok: a cafe with more than 70 types of instant noodles
While there are always new cafes popping up in every city, when Good Noodle Bangkok finally hit the streets, it blew up the internet. As a struggling millennial prone to pulling all-nighters, Good Noodle Bangkok is like a dream come true for the instant noodle connoisseur that lives within me.
The store is fully stacked with over 70 different types of instant noodles along with side ingredients you can purchase – one serving at a time – to make your ramen experience a fancy sh’mancy one.
From only ฿6 (~USD0.20), you can get a full meal here. Splurge a little more and you can get to try different types of ramen from all around the world. Honestly, this place truly re-defines budget dining, all while retaining that sense of nostalgia from ‘instant noodle weeks’ back in my university days.
TL;DR 100% would recommend for you guys to check it out if you’re feeling peckish in the afternoons.
Good Noodle Bangkok
Address: B Floor, Union Mall, 54 Ladprao, Jomphol, Chatuchak District Bangkok, Thailand 10900
Opening hours: 11AM – 9PM, Daily
Nearest Train Station: MRT Phahonyothin Station or BTS Ha Yaek Lat Prao Station
Google Maps | Good Noodle Facebook | Instagram
5. Watch a Thai boxing match at Lumpini Stadium
Next on our list is the culturally rich and entertaining experience of watching a Thai boxing match when you’re in the home country itself. Over the years, Muay Thai has become an accessible and popular sport internationally – inviting fans of the sport to come from around the world to train in Thailand.
Even if you’re completely new to the sport and art of Muay Thai, every match is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. So on your next visit to the bustling city of Bangkok, be sure to book yourselves a ticket and head down to Lumpini Stadium to catch one of the matches live.
Who knows, perhaps Muay Thai will be your thing next?
Thai Boxing at Lumpini Stadium
Address: 6 Ram Inthra Rd, Anusawari, Bang Khen, Bangkok 10220, Thailand
Opening hours: Tuesday, 6PM -10PM | Friday, 6PM – 10PM | Saturday, 4PM – 12AM
Telephone: +66 8 2993 5754
Google Maps | Expedia Booking Site
6. Siam Laser Games – laser tag with your friends
Now, this one’s for the group squads on vacation. If everyone’s tired of the shopping and eating, it probably wouldn’t be too shabby an idea to head to Siam Laser Games to work off those extra calories.
Once you enter the arena, you’d find an elaborate set-up resembling an operations centre of a top-secret agency. NGL, the place definitely gave me Mission Impossible or Battlestar Galactica vibes with all the LED lights and techy set-up.
Once your team is all geared up, be sure to grab some pictures with your squad at the designated photo spot. With the full suit and immersive arena, all that’s left for you to do is to bring your game face. Be sure to make a booking before you head down in order to avoid disappointment. We’d reckon you’ll have a whole lotta fun in the arena.
Siam Laser Games
Address: Novotel Siam Square Soi 6, Basement Floor ปทุมวัน Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening hours: 12PM – 9PM, Mon – Fri | 10.30AM – 9PM, Sat – Sun
Telephone: +66 8 7635 8989
Google Maps | Siam Laser Games Facebook | Website
7. Go-Karting with EasyKart Bangkok like an F1 driver
As we approach the end of our list, it was pretty easy to decide which activity to go with in order to literally end with a bang: go-karting with EasyKart Bangkok.
As the Formula 1 Grand Prix gradually makes its way to Asia, fans of the extreme sport will be able to get a taste of the action here – whether it’s in the form of the cars zooming around the circuit or highly competitive racing with your friends on the track.
So if you’re looking for excitement and fun with a touch of competition, EasyKart Bangkok could be just what you’ll need to add some flair and speed to your trip. Ready? Now get set and go!
EasyKart Bangkok
Address: RCA Plaza | 31/11 RCA Plaza, 2nd floor, RCA Alley, Bangkapi, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10320, Thailand
Opening hours: 1PM – 9PM, Mon – Thurs | 1PM – 11PM, Fri – Sun
Telephone:+66 2641 4252
Google Maps | Klook Booking Site | Website
8. Havana Social: visit a hidden speakeasy in Bangkok
Last but not least on our list of things to do, uncovering Bangkok’s not-so-secret secret nightlife in the form of their hidden bars like this one here. Enter Havana Social – a speakeasy with a pre-revolutionary 1940s Cuban aesthetic.
In order to enter the bar itself, you’ll have to key in the secret code of the day – which you can retrieve from the bouncer – into the telephone booth you’ll spot right by the entrance of the bar.
Once you’re in, you’ll be greeted by dim and warm lighting, vintage furniture and paintings from the 1940s tastefully decorating the rugged walls of the bar. Of course, other than its thoughtfully designed interior, Havana Social also sports a delectable menu of cocktails you can indulge in during your visit.
Since it’s a Cuban-themed bar, we’d definitely recommend that you try a rum-based drink whilst you’re here. For ฿260 (~USD7.52), sip on their skillfully prepared Cuba Libre – a rum-based cocktail topped with fizzy Coca-Cola cubes. If you’re in search of something different while on a night crawl across this city of lights, then be sure to hit up this bar for a night to remember.
Havana Social
Address: 41, 3 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: 6PM – 12AM, Daily
Telephone: +66 8 0467 7409
Google Maps | Havana Social’s Facebook
Things to do in Bangkok
If you’ve stayed with us this far, we hope that you’ve found a few places to add to your bucket list while in Thailand.
While cafe-hopping and shopping for trinkets at night markets never gets old, we hope that you’ll be able to be a trendsetter for your friends who might be planning a trip to Bangkok soon. With you firmly in charge of the itinerary, we bet there’ll be tons of surprises in store, besides the street food, massages and glitzy shopping districts.
More TSL articles on travel tips for Bangkok:
- 12 themed cafes to visit in Bangkok
- 8 hidden bars in Bangkok you must visit
- 9 Bangkok night markets to visit
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): Skydiving Thailand, Siam Laser Games, EasyKart, uk.hotels