10 Things to do in Bangkok when it Rains

Getting pampered with a massage while in Bangkok should be a rite of passage.There are massage shops set up on practically every street so you are never more than a quick dash away if the heavens open. But for that little touch of luxury, every five-star hotel has an in-house spa at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay back home so there’s no reason to even reach for that umbrella. Thai massage has been exported to every corner of the globe but, in our opinion, the original is still the best… we’ll leave it for you to decide. Read More...

Bangkok is truly a world-class shopping destination with a mix of international fashion brands and a wide range of local fashion designers making it a popular rainy day activity. There is no shortage of shopping malls to choose from but the biggest of them all is Central World, a mega-shopping complex connected to Chit Lom and Siam BTS stations by a sheltered walkway. As well as a comprehensive selection of high-street and high-end fashion and eating options, there is a 15-screen cinema, Kid’s Zone, and even an ice skating rink! Read More...

In the basement of Siam Paragon shopping mall you will find the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, with plenty of creatures to check out, from scary sharks to jumping jellyfish. Take a ride on the glass-bottomed boat or discover the plants and wildlife from the rainforest, including spiders and snakes. A trip to Siam Ocean World can be combined with a visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in nearby Siam Discovery Mall, and these two tickets can be bought together at the counter to offer great savings. Read More...

When it’s grey and miserable outside, sometimes all you want is a nice cup of tea and a delicious piece of cake in a cosy café. Why not turn it into a challenge, and try a variety of the best and most unusual cakes and desserts in Bangkok? We’ve selected ten of the coolest cafes around. Whether you are working your way through the large chunk of honey toast with friends and family at After You, playing with the toys at Mr Jones’ Orphanage or digging into a delicious slice of crepe cake at Secret Garden, there is nothing better than sweet treats to cheer you up on a rainy day. Read More...

An engaging and thought-provoking way to spend an afternoon is at The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. This striking cylindrical building with a spiral staircase lining the outer wall in a Guggenheim-esque fashion is the highlight of Thailand’s art scene. It has an ever-changing roster of exhibits ranging from sculpture to photography and every creative discipline in between. It’s a popular hangout for students (maybe because it’s free), local artists and tourists with a few shops and cafes with a faux-bohemian vibe.  Read More...

I know we have already included a shopping mall in our list, but at Terminal 21, shopping is only one small part of the experience. This mall has a one-floor-one-city design that allows visitors to travel the world one escalator at a time. The boulevards of Paris, ornate lanterns of Tokyo and the towering Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco are all displayed, along with other cities including London, Istanbul and Rome. Terminal 21 must take the accolade of the most unique concept for a shopping mall in Bangkok, in Thailand, and perhaps in all of Asia. Read More...

A high-octane experience zooming around a fairly technical track can be enjoyed in any weather at Easy Kart indoor go-kart track in RCA Plaza. The great thing about go-karting is it can be enjoyed by kids as young as seven and as old as 70, and with different karts available, both beginners and experts will be in for a memorable ride. Other facilities include a chill-out area with sofas, viewing deck, and a pool table for those who can’t handle it in the driver’s seat. Read More...

If you can’t stand the rain, get in the kitchen! Taking a cookery class is a popular activity throughout Thailand, where food is such a distinctive and enjoyable part of life. There are many cooking classes in Bangkok so it’s up to you how hands-on you’d like to be. Some classes take guests through the entire process – from sourcing ingredients at the market, through to sitting down and enjoying the fruits of your labour; other classes arrange everything so all participants have to do is turn up and start cooking. Read More...

If you’re the sort of person who starts climbing the walls when you’re stuck indoors, learning a few basic Muay Thai moves will certainly burn any and all unwanted energy, frustration and clean out of the system. Even if you’ve never trained or studied this centuries old martial art, a session with an experienced trainer will introduce you to a few kicks and punches, improve your co-ordination, and give you the workout of your life. Luktupfah is a Thai-English owned Muay Thai camp not far from Sukhumvit that caters to all levels of student. Read More...

“Watch a movie? That’s not creative!” You may well be thinking, but Scala Cinema in Siam Square is a throwback to the golden days: It only has one screen but the ornate domed-ceiling, giant chandelier and art-deco decoration will delight visitors as much as the discount 100 baht ticket price. Thankfully, not everything has been frozen in time with all the latest audio and visual technology installed to show a mixture of the latest Hollywood releases as well as more art-house flicks from Thailand, Europe and beyond. Read More...