1. Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is a fine place to get an oxygen fix, indulge in some physical activity or just to sit and watch others strut their stuff. Fun activities include paddle boats (30 baht for 30 minutes), and an outdoor gym (30 baht for an unlimited session). Or you can get a free massage on the reflexology pathways, take a tango lesson, meditate, and join a thai chi or aerobics class (all free). Sometimes there are free concerts too, but no matter what, it is always an interesting place to escape from the city buzz.
2. Butterfly Enclosure and Insectarium
The Rotfai Gardens is another great green escape; a picturesque and quiet space with rolling green fields, trees and flower beds. You can spend a lazy day reading in the shade of an old tree, play with butterflies at the enclosed Bangkok Butterfly Gardens and Insectarium (for free), or rent a bicycle for the day (around 30 baht). Do take sunscreen, a hat and some drinking water as it gets hot.
3. Temples & Temple Fairs
Bangkok's temples are beautiful and plentiful. Those that aren't free have a small entrance fee or welcome a donation. The exception is entrance to the most revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which is 200 baht and includes admission into the grounds of the Grand Palace. If you go on auspicious occasions or important Buddhist holidays, you might even be lucky enough to be blessed by a monk. Temple fairs are great fun too, with traditional music and dancing, lots of cheap things to eat and fun activities.
4. Shrines and Spirit Houses
These are free, very interesting and dotted all over Bangkok. The most famous is the Erawan Shrine, next to Erawan Mall at the Rachaprasong intersection. Some shrines are believed to bring you good luck, riches or even love. Others, it is said, can boost your virility and fertility. Or if it's the winning lottery numbers you're after, you're (apparently) in luck too.
5. Bangkok Folk Museum
The Bangkok Folk Museum, a beautiful traditional Thai house filled with exquisite antiques, is a typical Thai middleclass dwelling of 70 years ago. Free.
6. The National Gallery
The National Gallery houses both traditional and contemporary Thai artworks. There is a permanent collection, as well as monthly and annual exhibitions. Admission is a mere 30 baht. Note it is only open from Wednesday to Sunday.
7. Corrections Museum
If you are into history or gore, the Corrections Museum is a fascinating look at the evolution of the penal system in Thailand, including insights into torture and execution methods and devices - all for free. The nightmares that will follow come complimentary too!
8. Thai Boxing (Muay Thai)
A good way to spend an evening. If you take your Thai friend along to a Muay Thai stadium and get him/her to buy the tickets, it's really cheap. Foreigners are sometimes charged five times more than locals.
9. People-watching on Khao San Road
Always a good place to observe the migration patterns of the motley and diverse shades of travellers, Khao San Road also happens to be a cheap place to eat, sleep and shop.
10. The National Museum
Thailand's oldest museum, dedicated to the country's cultural and historical heritage, art and archeology, and with plenty to see and learn for only 40 baht. Free drinking water and chatty curators.
11. Breakdancing at MBK
If you're curious about urban street culture, check out the funky dudes on the skywalk between MBK and the National Stadium BTS station. Join the groupies or dare a head spin? Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
12. The Spectacle of Lottery Day
Watch the pandemonium on Lottery Day twice a month (it usually falls on a Friday) on Ratchadamnoen Road (close to Khao San Road and the Democracy Monument). Even better, get your hands on a ticket to have a chance to win the jackpot, so you won't have to be reading 'Bangkok on a shoestring features' ever again. Wink.
13. Forensic Museum
Come here for a peek of the gruesome and macabre. See the remains of Thailand's most notorious serial killer and stillborn babies. Admission is only 40 baht. Situated nearby to the Forensic Museum are the Museums of Parasitology, Anatomy and Anthropology. The cliché 'not for the faint-hearted' really applies.
14. Suan Pakkard Palace
Princess Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga's private residence before being turned into a museum, this elegant palace is an enchanting visit for 100 baht. It's easy to spend hours here and get completely lost in time.
15. Bakeries at Closing Hour
Many five-star or good hotels have bakeries that suddenly go half-price about an hour before closing time in order to get rid of the day's produce. Be sure to scavenge at that hour for the yummiest late-night pastries. Oh, most bakeries at Tops supermarkets do the same. Closing times vary though.
16. Food Tastings
Supermarkets are always having food promotions and tastings, especially on weekends. One that regularly goes all out is the supermarket at Central Chidlom. You can taste so many different things that lunch won't be required.
17. Royal Thai Air force Museum
The Royal Thai Air Force Museum hosts some rare and antique war planes among other historical wonders. Get some like-minded friends together for free explorations in this specialised field.
18. Thai Massage
You don't have to go to a lush (pricey) spa for a traditional Thai massage. Little massage shops are all over the place, and it's very possible to get a good hour-long massage for as little as 200 baht.
19. Free Haircuts
If you're in desperate need of a free new hairstyle, many academies of the scissors are always looking for 'model heads' to experiment on. There is one at Siam Centre and another in the Din Daeng area. Risky, perhaps? Look at it this way: All you stand to lose is your hair, and it can always grow back. And a big hat can safe you from 'losing face' in public.
20. Royal Barges Museum
If you are inspired by the graceful silhouettes and impeccable detail of Thailand's ceremonial barges, a visit to the Royal Barges Museum may be worthwhile. Admission is only 30 baht.
21. Meditation at Wat Mahatat
One of Bangkok's oldest temple compounds and a prime meditation centre, resident monks lead 'Vipassana' (insight meditation) sessions here three times daily. Classes are free, but a small donation is customary.
22. Stamp Museum
Like little flags referring to their points of origin and marked to their probable fate, these often overlooked entities carry a lot of history. Venture into the forgotten world of stamps at the Stamp Museum. Admission is free.
23. Fortune Tellers
Astrology, palm and card-reading, as well as face and foot readings are some of the methods employed. A small fee is charged. Look for diviners behind Wat Mahatat, on Sanam Luang or meet the famous Thai gypsy on her fold-up chair in the evenings on the corner of Silom and Convent Roads. She's so colourful that you can't miss her. Just don't aim a camera in her direction - there's not enough water in the Andaman Sea to wash you clean of the tongue-lashing that's sure to follow!
24. Community Yoga
Elementary sessions are hosted at Elements Yoga Studio at the Vanissa Building in Soi Chidlom on Saturdays and Sundays at 13:30. You can make a donation according to what you can afford.
25. Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC)
You can sit here for hours and listen to soothing jazz numbers at The Jazz Lounge. The TCDC is an impressive facility that traces the origins of creativity and design from Thailand and all over the world. Two exhibition spaces are free to enter, but you need to be a member to visit the library.
For the next 25 ways to do Bangkok on a bare shoestring budget, click here. |
