Bangkok is a bustling international city. It is one of the most visited cities in the world. Some go for the nightlife, some for the cultural attractions, and some visit as the gateway on their way to other parts of Thailand.
After you have seen the main attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Lumpini Park, and browsed in the countless malls and markets, you might like to find some more out-of-the-way destinations to round out your understanding and appreciation of this great city.
You’ll need a place to start and end your day, so why not relax at an affordable 4-star hotel in Sukhumvit. It’s centrally located and an excellent hotel.
Erawan Museum
The Erawan Museum is a ways from the city center and can be tricky to get to. The best way to get there is to order a Grab taxi. The highlight is a 29-metre-tall bronze statue of a three-headed elephant. In addition, you are treated to three storeys containing antiquities and priceless collections of ancient religious objects.
You can see collections of Chinese vases from the Ming and Qing dynasties, precious antiques and arts including ceramics and European pottery and relics and statues of the Buddha from several different eras. The walls are decorated with paintings depicting the cosmos.
The accompanying grounds and gardens are well maintained with a variety of statues and other objects of interest.
Wake Boarding
On the other end of the spectrum is wakeboarding. This is a great activity for bachelors and other on-the-go types. If you’ve always wanted to try this extreme sport but didn’t want to break the bank this is your chance.
There are several water parks near Bangkok. The Zanook Wake Park is smaller than the popular Thai Wake Park, but it’s located closer to the city center. Wakeboarding is one of those unusual things that you don’t associate with Bangkok, but it’s a fun thing to do and since Bangkok is almost always hot, it’s also refreshing.
Sathon’s Hidden Markets
Sathon is known for its high-rise office buildings and office workers. Hidden away are alleys that are almost always packed with locals looking for top-notch food or a bargain. The food you find is cheaper and tastier than what you can find at a restaurant 10 metres away. It’s a true hidden gem that will get you away from the constant honking of horns and into a place where you can get a delicious meal for a dollar or two.
Soi Arab
This is a true hidden gem in the middle of Bangkok. Soi Arab is the complete opposite of its neighbour, Soi Nana. Nana is on every list of places to visit in Bangkok filled with restaurant chains and entertainment venues.
Soi Arab is a calm series of streets with palm trees and touches of the Middle East. You can enjoy a real shawarma kebab made with love. You can wander the back streets and find Middle Eastern restaurants, and avid football fans.
Thailand is easy to get to, and the visa-on-arrival program has recently been expanded to include more countries.
