Bangkok offers much more than typical tourist attractions. For unique experiences, consider visiting the Chocolate Village, swapping Muay Thai for MMA, or exploring the khlongs. You can also fire guns at the Bangkok Shooting Range or participate in a Thai massage workshop. For a luxurious massage experience, consider the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, which offers a range of treatments, including traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy massage and specialised therapies.
Our Bangkok insider says there’s never been a better time to leave the clichés behind and experience the city as it truly is – chaotic and overwhelming, yes, but also incredibly nuanced, sophisticated and vibrant. Read on for unique and fun things to do in Bangkok.
Jump to:
Meet Our Expert
Anna Fhaumnuaypol, Digital PR Manager at Minor Hotels, has generously shared her favourite spots – whether for impressing visitors or slipping away for a personal escape. The Bangkok-born and bred PR professional is a self-described foodie with a keen radar for meals that offer serious bang for your baht. She believes the best experiences are worth braving Bangkok’s heat – and trust us, she knows which ones truly are. Between her relentless pursuit of the best reflexology sessions and head-and-shoulder massages in town, Anna's busy scouting Sathorn's coffee scene, one flat white at a time.
Get Artsy and Make Your Own Stuff
Sure, shopping is a fun thing to do in Bangkok, but wouldn’t it be cooler to make the things you take home instead of buying a mass-produced item? Bangkok’s emerging workshop cafés transform passive consumption into hands-on artistic expression, attracting crafty locals and visitors alike.
Whether you're designing your own Benjarong porcelain – hand-painted ceramics once reserved for the Siam Royal Family – at Stella Art Café (BTS Phrom Phong) or making your own herbal inhaler in a serene courtyard of the hip Taiban Café (MRT Hua Lamphong), these creative spaces turn souvenirs into personalised keepsakes that won’t just gather dust.
For an activity that adds to your skillset rather than to your luggage, try Spice Spoons cooking school at the leafy Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. Master everything from street food to desserts – your confidence boosted by detailed recipe cards emailed to you.
Less Elbows, More Fun: Swap Muay Thai for MMA
Muay Thai is a Bangkok staple, but if you crave something with a little extra kick (and grapple), check out ONE Friday Fights at Lumpinee Stadium, where MMA takes centre stage. A must-do for anyone looking for an evolved fight night, the hybrid combat sport brings together top fighters whose slick moves go beyond traditional Thai boxing.
Follow Anna’s tip and turn your fight night into a full-on Bangkok getaway with a deal from Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel, which includes accommodation and a ringside seat at an MMA match. The hotel is located in the city’s most happening district, so after the match there is plenty to keep you entertained close to home.
Hit the Khlongs
Bangkok’s floating markets are beloved, but their popularity comes at a price. For a more intimate experience away from the crowds, Anna recommends the Klong Guru canal adventure from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort – a private tour that takes you into the city’s lesser-known khlongs (canals), where Bangkok’s true magic unfolds.
Glide through quiet waterways, uncovering hidden temples, elegant teakwood houses and secret enclaves where local life beats strongest. It’s a serene escape – so peaceful that even your loudest exclamations of wonder won’t disturb the giant water monitors lazily basking along the banks.
Alternatively, hop aboard a public khlong taxi on the Khlong Saen Saeb, Bangkok’s bustling waterway. Sharing the ride with daily commuters is an affordable, lively way to glimpse the city’s lesser-seen corners. For a cultural stop, visit the excellent Jim Thompson House Museum, perched along the Saen Saeb canal. Admire its heritage architecture, cool down in pristine gardens and browse exquisite Thai silks.
Rooftops with a Twist
It’s a well-established fact that Bangkok’s mesmerising skyline is best enjoyed with Champagne shimmering in your glass as the city glows seductively below. But instead of settling for the usual rooftop views, go where the skyline comes with a serious attitude.
For a unique thing to do in Bangkok with someone special, don’t miss sunset at SIN. Perched atop Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel, SIN is where the city’s fashionable crowd comes to play. Swing by for the daily ‘Sinful Sunsets’ Happy Hour – sip on Champagne, slurp down oysters and take in the greatest show on earth: the shimmering sun melting into the Chao Phraya in a blaze of gold.
On the other side of the river, Tichuca Rooftop Bar brings the tropics to the sky. Perching its jungle paradise high above a residential area, the photogenic spot blends nature and nightlife with a light touch. Meanwhile, TRIBE Sky Beach Club channels luxury resort energy by day, with an infinity pool, sleek sun loungers and a curated soundtrack of house and electronic beats. As night falls, it transforms into a high-energy party scene.
For a thrill of a different kind, head to the 75th floor of King Power Mahanakhon, where the I-Tilt experience lets you hang over the city – literally. Suspended at a daring 65-degree angle, 296 meters above Bangkok, this is skyline immersion at its most exhilarating.
Thonburi: Spirituality Without the Crowds
While Bangkok’s grand temples need no introduction, its lesser-known sanctuaries offer just as much beauty – without the crowds. In Thonburi, the serene Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, watched over by a towering Buddha gazing peacefully at passing boats, has recently gained fame after its appearance in HBO’s hit show The White Lotus. Despite the spotlight, it remains an oasis of calm.
Just nearby, The Artist’s House is another canalside retreat, set in a 200-year-old house where you can sip coffee, escape the heat and soak up the quirky charm of its lived-in wooden walls. Although hardly a hidden gem, this popular spot deserves to be on your list of unique things to do in Bangkok, Thailand if culture is your jam.
Emerging from Thonburi’s meandering canals into the shimmering expanse of the Chao Phraya River, crisscrossed by ferries, you’ll want to linger longer to soak in the magic of it all. Get in on the action with a floating dinner on Manohra Cruises. Departing from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort at 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm, the elegant riverboat takes you past illuminated temples as you dine on elevated Thai fare.
Bangkok's Trendiest Hotspots: Bantadthong and Song Wat
While Chinatown still holds its charm, Bantadthong and Song Wat have lately taken the crown as Bangkok’s trendiest districts. Bantadthong is nestled near Chulalongkorn University, its streets pulse with young energy, packed with stylish cafés, late-night street food stalls and buzzing bars.
While a handful of art galleries have sprung up, including GalileOasis located further north near Ratchatewi, Bantadthong remains, at its core, a foodie haven. For iconic eats, head to the renowned Bantadthong street food market, where Jeh-O, a Michelin Guide-recognised favourite, serves up its famous Mama Noodles Tom Yum, Thai-style salmon sashimi salad and signature crispy pork. If Jeh-O is overflowing with hungry crowds, try any of the countless wok-fired stalls, hotpot spots such as CQK, and dessert joints such as Nueng Nom Nua for Thai Shokupan and fresh milk drinks, all lining both sides of the street.
Finally, top off your meal with playful cocktails that celebrate Thainess at the effortlessly cool mixology institution, Find the Photobooth.
Selected as one of the World’s Coolest Neighbourhoods by Time Out, Song Wat perfectly balances old traditional Chinese shophouses – selling spices and herbal medicines – with new life with its trendy cafes and art spaces.
From speciality coffee at Local Boys Coffee to vintage finds at home décor shop Oyster & Things, from Michelin-starred dining at Potong by Chef Pam – featured in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – and cocktails at Opium on the fourth floor, to authentic and well-loved street food at Lim Lao Ngow Fishball Noodle, Song Wat seamlessly blends the old and the new through recent regeneration efforts. This historic neighborhood offers endless discoveries along one of Bangkok’s oldest streets, where every corner tells a story of meaningful transformation whilst honouring the Chinese community that shaped its character.
Where to Watch Drag Shows in Bangkok
Thailand’s traditional puppet shows are beautiful, but if you want something with more flair, head to House of HEALS. Owned by Pangina Heals, the first Thai contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race and the force behind Drag Race Thailand, the spot is as fierce, fabulous and unapologetically Thai as its founder. Even Blackpink’s Lisa made an appearance – so you know it’s the real deal.
For a more avant-garde theatrical experience, Lost & Found is your go-to spot. The shows at this former riverside bunker blend fashion, art, theatre and drag and often star famous Thai artists in a celebration of Bangkok’s expressive and inclusive culture – where everyone has a place.
Chocolate Ville
Sometimes, bigger really is better. Bangkok may be famed for its mega malls, but if you want the scale without the shopping spree, head to Chocolate Ville, where dining goes XXL.
This sprawling restaurant complex nudges Bangkok closer to reclaiming its past title as home to the world’s biggest restaurant – once held by Royal Dragon Restaurant, which had room for a staggering 5,000 diners.
Chocolate Ville’s wholesomeness appeals to a wide audience, not just those with kids in tow. Food-motivated adults will appreciate the strategic distribution of steaks, pizzas, pasta and Thai snacks around a faux European village, complete with bridges, cobblestone streets and a quaint lake. Essentially a theme park masquerading as a restaurant, Chocolate Ville doesn’t sell chocolate, just a European dreamscape where to walk off those calories – so if you’re craving its namesake sugary treat, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Anna recommends Kad Kokoa for single-origin chocolate locally sourced from different provinces across Thailand, which you can find at many of its branches, including their first shop in Sathon in a handsome Northern-style house. Don’t forget to visit. It’s a unique thing to do in Bangkok!
Traditional Thai Massage
Revitalising for both body and mind, Thai massage (Nuad Thai) is as much a wellness ritual as it is a cultural experience. Once reserved for royalty and nobility, this ancient practice is now recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, bringing centuries-old techniques to modern-day relaxation.
Often referred to as “assisted yoga,” Thai massage blends acupressure, Ayurvedic traditions and yoga-inspired stretching – without the use of oils or lotions, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. As you lie on a floor mat dressed in loose-fitting clothing, the therapist expertly guides your body through dynamic poses to enhance flexibility and relieve tension.
For the ultimate wellness retreat, pair your Thai massage with a luxurious day spa experience. Whether you choose the serene riverside escape at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort or the lush urban oasis of Anantara Spa at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, you’re in for a truly rejuvenating journey.
In addition to fun things to do in Bangkok proper, the city serves as a launchpad for out-of-town escapades – like a multi-day river cruise with Loy Pela Voyages to Siam’s old capital, Ayutthaya. With everything from yoga and cooking classes on board to guided tours during stops, this round-trip journey that includes stays in Bangkok hotels is as unique as it gets.
