MUSEUMS

Bangkokian Museum

The Bangkokian Museum, also known as the Bangkok Folk Museum, is a stunning representation of what life looked like in the capital in the early 20th century. All of the artifacts and relics found inside the home once belonged to the middle-class Thai family who used to reside in the house. Throughout the museum, visitors will find information on what family life was like in the home post-war. Admission is free.

The National Gallery and National Museum Bangkok

The National Museum Bangkok is a massive collection of artifacts whose origins date back thousands of years ago. King Rama V founded the museum in 1887, and at the time, the Royal Museum was in the Concordia Pavilion on the grounds of the Grand Palace—it later moved to its current location. The Fine Arts Department was founded in 1993 after the Thai regime went from being an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one.

Siriraj Medical Museum

The next museum is the Siriraj Medical Museum, which is a hodgepodge of not one but six different museums. Each one has its own theme, but one underlying factor seems to remain constant: the gruesome yet informative artifacts in each one. The museum sits on the grounds of the Siriraj Hospital, established by King Rama V in 1886. It is the oldest medical institute of Thailand.

King Prajadhipok Museum

This three-story museum, built in 1906, is made up of the personal items of King Rama VII, which is why the museum is named the King Prajadhipok Museum. He became the first king to rule as a constitutional monarch, and the museum came to be because the king wanted a place to store all of his personal belongings.

Museum of Siam

The Museum of Siam, which officially opened in 2008, sits inside a now-converted 19th-century European structure—what was once the Ministry of Commerce. The museum is currently under construction until further notice; however, there is an exhibit set up in lieu of its temporary closure.

National Museum of Royal Barges

The National Museum of Royal Barges houses a number of gold-crafted barges that have been used to carry members of the royal family at some of the biggest celebrations and ceremonies held in Thailand. These barges are spectacular works of art, with elaborately carved details throughout, colorful exteriors, and a different animal acting as the figurehead on each boat.

Baan Kamthieng House Museum

The Baan Kamthieng House Museum offers visitors a glimpse of what life is like in rural Thailand. The Lanna-style home is similar to one visitors might see in the city of Chiang Mai, where this kingdom flourished. Instead, it is found off the busy BTS Skytrain Station Asok. Each display features information as to what it is visitors are seeing. This quaint museum is under the operation of the Siam Society, whose job is to promote and preserve Thai culture.

The Erawan Museum

Before Lek Viriyabhun opened the Erawan Museum in 1967, he actively collected antiques and studied Thai culture in his free time. He even went as far as to travel around to different provinces in Thailand in order to find artifacts. He wanted to preserve all that he had collected somehow, and that is how the Erawan Museum came to be. Unfortunately, the museum did not open until after he died in the early 2000s. The most memorable of all the things in the museum is the 250-ton elephant that sits on the grounds of the museum.

Jim Thompson House Museum

The Jim Thompson House Museum was the home of American entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who played a huge role in making Thai silk popular around the world. He went missing in 1967 during a hike in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia; however, his house remains and is one of the most famous museums in Bangkok. The six Thai-style homes that make up this museum are constructed with teak purchased from areas across Thailand.

Bangkok Dolls and House Museum

The Bangkok Dolls and House Museum opened in 1957. Contrary to its name, the museum houses dolls from all over the world; however, the majority of the dolls are Thai, crafted by local Thai artists.

PARKS

Rama IX Park

Rama IX Park is Bangkok’s largest park and is home to stunning gardens, a lake and a beautiful botanical garden. This popular park is roughly 15 kilometres from the centre of the city and has an entrance fee of 10 baht. Like many parks in Thailand, you’ll often see locals practising tai chi or partaking in group aerobics classes.

Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden

Another stunning park in the centre of Bangkok, this park is huge and includes a botanic garden. Nature lovers can explore on foot or hire a bicycle and discover the stunning gardens. Luckily Bangkok is flat so a leisurely ride is in store.

Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park or the “green lung” is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful and well-known parks. It is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a picnic or exercise. The park covers an impressive 500.000 km² and is home to varied plant and animal species. This natural sanctuary right in the middle of the city is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Bangkok.

Romaneenart Park

Looking for a place to cool off? Romaneenart Park has several fountains which keep the park beautifully “air-conditioned.” Wander around this grand park, make use of the outdoor fitness park or simply relax with a book.

Benjasiri Park

Benjasiri Park or the “Queen’s Park” has dozens of magnificent sculptures and a splendid fountain in the centre. This park is a great place to play basketball, tennis, roller skate or swim in the outdoor swimming pool.

Phutta Monthon

Phutta Monthon is roughly a 45-minute drive outside of the city but well worth the trip! This large, tranquil park has a stunning 52-foot tall statue of Buddha. The park also has sites representing Buddha’s four main life events. Wander down tree-lined roads, relax on grassy fields or enjoy a picnic next to the park’s pond. For added fun rent a bike and explore the park in style.

Santi Chai Prakan

Santi Chai Prakan, also known as Phra Arthit Park, is a lovely riverside green space close to Khao San Road. This place is not ideal for people looking for a place to exercise and is more suited for those who want to relax. Grab a book and a refreshing drink and make use of the Thai style wooden sala.

Chatuchak Park

Chatuchak Park is centrally located and offers a fantastic oasis. The park has a serene pond with fish and ducks, the perfect place to refresh mind, body and soul. There are also tennis courts, soccer fields and outdoor aerobic classes.

Sanam Luang

Located just outside the Grand Palace this is the perfect spot to rest your feet after exploring Bangkok’s main attractions. This green space was formerly used as a crematorium space for high-ranking members of the royal family including kings and queens.

MARKETS

Chatuchak Market

It is the biggest weekend market in the world, covering more than one km, consisting of a whopping 15 000 booths selling just about anything you can imagine from every corner of Thailand! And it has been in Bangkok for decades. A tourist attraction in itself, the Chatuchak market draws more than 200 000 visitors a day! The market is divided into 27 sections, and you can find things like wood carvings, clay handicrafts, local souvenirs from every part of Thailand, Buddhist amulets, wooden furniture, handmade decorated flowers, ceramic wares, Chinese wares, garden plants, stones, trendy fashions, silk, hill-tribe outfits, paintings of local painters, fluffy dogs, handbags, shoes, jewellery and fashionable Thai design of all sort – All at a cheap prize! It really is spectacular!

Pak Klong Talat Flower Market

Though the market is open 24 hours, it is busiest before dawn, when boats and trucks arrive with flowers from all over Thailand. Here both consumers and wholesale buyers come to buy flowers and vegetables. Many local florists come to the market early in the morning to stock up on flowers to sell in their shops the following day. Also, the poor who make a living out of stringing and selling flower garlands on the streets, buy sacks of jasmine and marigold flowers here.

Klongsan Market

Here you will find everything from trendy clothes, shoes, jewelry, jeans, accessories…..Yep, basically everything you might need for a new look! Few tourists know about this market, which is a lucky thing because that means they are likely to be charging Thai prices.

Klong Toey Fresh Market

The Klong Toey Market supplies Bangkok with half its fresh food. This market also sells wholesale and retail appliances, and you will find all kinds of meat, fish, seafood, fruits, vegetables, herbs, but also clothes, shoes, clocks etc.

Bangkok Farmers Market

The Bangkok Farmers Market is not only a market but a whole organization working together with and for organic farmers all over Thailand. They have built a platform and community in Bangkok, with a focus on Healthy Living, and bringing people together. They also do Yoga and give back to the communities through education, charity work, and community programs in Thailand.

Every first and third weekend each month they arrange Farmers Market at a particular place/ shopping mall in Bangkok, where farmers, food producers, and artist come together to sell their organic products like fruits, vegetables, food, drinks, beauty products, clothes, jewelry and so much more!

Pratunam Market

This is kind of an indoor market, but there are also booths out in the alleys and streets around Pratunam. At this Market, you will find clothes, shoes, and accessories like jewelry, handbags and sunglasses, everything at wholesale prices. You can basically find all the knick-knacks you can ever imagine! It sure is a shopping bonanza!

Dalat Rot Fai

This is apparently the second largest market in Bangkok, after Chatuchak Market, and sells all kinds of cool and trendy clothes and things. This is not a market that sells typical Thai souvenirs (wood elephants and Chang Beer tank tops), but more hip things that are trendy and popular in Thailand. Here they also sell second-hand clothes and handmade handbags, plus the market has many cool cafes.