Top 10 Off the Beaten Track Bangkok Experiences

Bann Bat, literally 'house of monk's alm bowl', is the last existing place in Bangkok that still hammers out – by hand – the brass bowl that Buddhist monks carry with them during the morning alms round. The Baan Bat community has been producing these bowls since the late 18th Century, today less than five households still make a living selling their craft. Tucked away in a narrow backstreet south of Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), it looks no different from any other backstreets of Bangkok, where old, non-descriptive buildings fail to give any hints to what’s hidden down the alley. But step inside and look very closely – you will notice stacks of unfinished brass bowls lying about and constant banging noise echoing through the air.

A community of pottery-making Mon people, a small minority group believed to have been the first inhabitants of Thailand, sought refuge on this unspoilt manmade island in the 18th century. Located smack bang in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, they’re still here along with their unique identity and take on Buddhism.

Once upon a time, Bangkok was famous for longtail boats, tree-lined canals and floating wooden houses – the ‘Venice of the East’. But then cars arrived, bringing with them rowdy roads and torturous traffic. The once mighty khlongs had been usurped. For many tourists today they warrant little more than a guidebook footnote. Our little secret: they’re wrong. While dirty and smelly, many still overflow with glorious life. Thonburi’s offer glimpses of bygone Bangkok, while Khlong Saen Saeb’s boats are part-extreme sports, part-public transport. Don’t miss.  Read More...

Forget Chatuchak Weekend Market. For second-hand junk and, more importantly, the unrefined buzz of a Bangkok flea market that runs all night long, hit Klong Thom. It’s not really a place for splurging money (not unless you’re after spare car parts, or a used stereo) but will certainly hit the spot for those after a raw, exhilarating market that’s not even remotely touristy. It runs from 17:00 on Saturdays, and runs non-stop into Sunday.  Read More...

The sweaty brow and sauna-like temperatures are a giveaway. Well now its official: Bangkok is the hottest town on earth. Yes, Mexico City may have more sunshine, and, true, Abu Dhabi does have higher peak temperatures. But, according to the World Meteorological Organization, only Bangkok reaches average annual highs of 32.7 degrees Celsius and lows of 24.1 degrees. As anyone who has woken up swimming in their own sweat during the hot season can testify, this is because Bangkok doesn’t cool down that much at night. Welcome to a true melting pot.  Read More...

To many visitors Bangkok is merely a vast, flat, ill thought-out expanse of steel and concrete interspersed with little shimmering moments of beauty, like temples. “Where are the parks?,” is the common refrain. “Has Mother Nature been chased out of town?” Thankfully, no. There’s Lumpini Park: a big, welcome slice of green slap-bang in the centre of the city. But the real secret, which few discover, is that it’s not the only one. From the dusty splendour of Sanam Luang, to the lush lawns of King Rama IX Park, the city actually does greenery rather well. Read More...

Don’t let its location, just around the corner from the brash chaos of Khao San Road, fool you. Phra Arthit Road is cut from different cloth entirely. This sleepy street is all shade-giving trees, hole-in-the-wall restobars and cute shophouse cafes. Dreamy art students and discerning backpackers come for the quality grub, drowsy vibe and absence of a throng. There are some interesting King Rama V-era houses worth seeing, and the small park – with its ancient white fort and views onto the river – is a great place for some rare solitude. 

Swedish, Thai, oil, foot, hand or naughty. Bangkok has long been a Mecca for massage-heads. But have you tried a blind massage? Nope, this is not some kinky treatment involving a blindfold but rather a 100% non-sleazy encounter with the able hands of a visually impaired local. It’s common knowledge that the blind compensate for their lack of visual acuity with touch and sound. Here they put this to good use, as they squeeze, click and compress you into a state of complete bodily submission. Wonderful and beneficial for all involved. Read More...

The Thai capital has no shortage of sobriquets. There’s Bangkok, the Big Mango, the Venice of the East. However, locally none are as popular as Krung Thep, which translates as ‘The City of Angels’. This is the abridged version of the capital’s full ceremonial name – the longest in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Translated, it reads as one long line of superlatives – a poem almost. Locals take great pride in being able to recite the whole thing.