Exploring Bangkok – 5 Fun and Wacky Things to Do

Think of Thailand’s capital, and authentic floating markets, jewel-encrusted temples, and sky-brushing hotels come to mind. And they should. But the city’s draw is also the street food stalls hiding in the smallest sois, side-streets branching off main roads. Exploring Bangkok, you’ll catch enticing scents of sticky desserts and spicy noodle dishes. 

Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis zoom past below the rolling BTS SkyTrain, an elevated public transit system that’s one of Bangkok’s effective modes of transport, aside from others like the MRT humming quietly below ground. The weather is hot and muggy, yet beneath the chaos and heat, there’s an inexhaustible array of fun things to do in Bangkok. Here are five top attractions to explore in this metropolis brimming with life, all included in the TAGTHAi City Pass.

1. Feel Like Walking in the Air at King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Sitting enthroned at 314 meters above the city, King Power Mahanakhon is Thailand’s tallest tower in the heart of Bangkok. The eccentric building looks like a tile-matching Tetris game, waving at you from every angle, ensuring you don’t forget to drop by when in Bangkok. 

The fun begins when you get on the hydraulic glass elevator, one of the world’s fastest video-themed lifts. Get off at level 74, and you’re treated to panoramic views of the metropolis at The Observatory, an observation hall great for snapping pictures. Yet, no question, the flagship attraction sits four stories higher.

Getting off on the 78th floor, you’re moments away from becoming one with the City of Angels, the capital’s local name Krung Thep. Chill-out music like DJ Maretimo’s Una Historia de la Mar Siesta Stories Mix sets the scene as you arrive on the 360-degree observation deck, where unbroken views of the urban sprawl and the sun setting over the Chao Phraya River await.

You can climb to the highest point at 314 meters, enjoying one free drink as you pluck up the courage to join the people on the glass tray. The aptly named The Peak bar featuring a theater-style terrace serves tasty sundowners. Once ready for the adrenaline rush 310 meters above the ground, line up and look forward to what comes next. Walking on the hair-raising glass deck – the only thing between you and the void below – will knock your socks off.

Don’t like ticket lines? You can skip the queues with your unique TAGTHAi QR Code, giving you access to numerous fun things to do in Bangkok.

 

2. Jump on a Chao Phraya River Tourist Boat

Hopping on and off the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is a super convenient way to explore the riverbank, a world away from the traffic chaos. Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise along sights like the pyramidal Wat Arun, the glass and Chinese porcelain-covered Temple of Dawn that towers 70 meters above Chao Phraya River.

An English-speaking guy points out the landmarks so you won’t miss anything. Unlike other boats, the tourist ship isn’t crowded, providing seating for everyone. Plus, there’s a toilet on board.

Ideal for families and solo travelers alike, stops include Oriental Pier at ICONSIAM, a Bai Sri banana leaf-shaped shopping center with eleven floors. If you get off here, pop in for organic mango and spicy shrimp dip with crispy catfish at Baan Khanitha The Heritage. This Thai restaurant in the heart of Bangkok’s largest riverside mall on ICONSIAM’s fourth floor is included in the City Pass, offering unforgettable views of the Chao Phraya River. 

Tha Chang Pier is near the Grand Palace and its golden stupa, and Khao San Road, the backpacker mecca of Thailand, beckons a stone’s throw from Phra Arthit Pier.

Both one-way tickets and an All-Day Pass are available for the Blue Flag Tourist Boat. Oh, and the route is extended to Asiatique in the evening. Asiatique is an open-air mall with a night bazaar and giant replica warehouse complex that combines the city’s best shopping centers and street markets. Enjoy exploring Bangkok!

3. Enjoy Bangkok Old Town Sightseeing on a Tuk-Tuk

Besides market vendors hauling heavy merchandise, Thai people use tuk-tuks once in a blue moon, likely because the motorized three-wheel taxis aren’t metered. They’re fast, loud, and thrilling!! Picture feeling the warm wind tousling your hair, catching the heady scents of jasmine and tangy smells emanating from street kitchens. 

Tuk-tuk rides are adventurous and less suitable for the faint of heart. But let’s face it, they’re part of the Bangkok experience.

One thing is certain: you’ll get a taste of Thai history by riding a tuk-tuk around Rattanakosin Island, snuggled against the Chao Phraya River. Rattanakosin was built in 1782 when King Rama I moved the Siamese capital from the Thonburi side to modern-day Bangkok. Today, you can visit religious sites like the sprawling temple complex of Wat Pho, loved for its 15m-tall and 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf.

Be sure to check out other glittering temples and attractions, too. You can flag tuk-tuks down anytime, anywhere. From the Grand Palace and Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, the marble temple, to Chinatown and the National Museum, or the Yodpiman Flower Market open around the clock, Rattanakosin is the perfect answer to what to do in Bangkok today.

As an aside, just a few kilometers south of the Old Town, Chinatown is great for a stop when your stomach rumbles. The Seafood Cafe & Restaurant serves mouth-watering scallops, crabs, fried prawns, fish soups, and more. 

4. Decode Thainess at Museum Siam

Housed in a neoclassical building characterized by dramatic columns, blank walls, and wooden floorboards, Museum Siam takes you on a journey to bygone eras. Step inside, and you’ll be staring at a grand, wooden staircase creaking at a mere glance. Once the Ministry of Commerce, the museum rediscovers the kingdom’s cultural origins through its “Decoding Thainess” exhibition, spread across 14 rooms on two floors. 

Think grassroots wisdom showcased humorously in the “Thai Only” room with household items Thais no longer need, stowed away in cabinets – the Thai way of solving problems bizarre in logic. The Thai Witthaya room recreating the atmosphere of four epochs, with long-forgotten schools, classrooms, and textbooks is equally enchanting, as are the works of art depicting the evolution of Thai characters in the Thai Deekrot room, including the Garuda eagle, Thailand’s national emblem.

You can also play a game with 27 dice, divided into three categories: nation, religion, and king. All dice have their own symbol. . Opening boxes containing pamphlets that explain stories in the Thai Tradition room is just as fun. Finally, exploring Bangkok by traveling to preferred scenes in times gone by, clad in a dress you’ve chosen yourself, you’ll come away with a souvenir to write home about.

5. Unwind at Saffron Sky Garden

Surrounded by pockets of green, Saffron Sky Garden on Banyan Tree Hotel’s 52nd floor is another place to be. Sip a cocktail in the lounge and enjoy canapés like Nue Yang Jeaw, grilled beef tenderloin with roasted chili dips and pickled cherry tomato. Soaking up the views of the cityscape to chill-out music warbling in the background, aloft at Bangkok’s highest outdoor garden and lounge bar, you’re practically guaranteed to recharge your batteries.

Saffron Sky Garden is yet another of the many benefits included in the City Pass, which perfectly rounds off an exhilarating TAGTHAi time. If you don’t know what to do after exploring Bangkok, Chiang Mai is worth visiting, too. Take a read.