Bangkok's 10 Best Kept Secrets

It doesn’t take long to realize why Bangkok is a cultural bonanza for offbeat travelers. This vibrant city exhibits eye catching attractions that offer an unusual traveling experience. A well renowned destination for gourmet, cultural and historical odysseys, Bangkok gives you a peek inside a whole new world. If you’ve already been amazed by the ancestry of the Grand Palace or are tuckered out from a day’s worth of shopping at the Chatuchuk Market, The Culture Trip reveals a few secrets to add to your travel list.

1. Celebrate Golden Moments at the Golden Buddha

Shrine

Pure Golden Buddha statue at Wat Traimit temple in Chinatown, Bangkok, Thailand

Celebrate Golden Moments at the Golden Buddha

The Golden Buddha welcomes travelers as they set off the beaten track while visiting Bangkok. What makes the Golden Buddha unusual is the fact that the statue is the largest ever constructed from pure gold. Weighing five and a half tons, the statue is around three meters tall and is the hidden glory of Bangkok’s Chinatown district. Once you’re done gazing at the beautiful statue of Lord Buddha, you can assemble your offerings alongside the locals who hum their daily prayers at the shrine. Officially known as Phra Phuttha Maha Suwan Patimakon, the statue is laid out inside the Wat Traimit Temple that is constructed with golden exteriors.

Address and telephone number: Wat Traimit,, Thanon Mittaphap Thai-China, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand, +66-2225-7612 – 4

2. Forensic Expedition at the Pathology Medicine Museum

Museum

Bangkok showcases one of the most macabre exhibitions of all times at the Forensic Medicine Museum that invites curious minds to observe a plethora of ancient pathological remains that have been safeguarded for centuries. Come visit the Pathology Museum, featuring a number of preserved chambers containing genetically impaired babies. For those who have medical idiosyncrasies, this is a playground of scientific exhibits that also features a large collection of appalling parasites. This isn’t an activity for sensitive people, especially since the museum reveals a morbid collection of embalmed bodies of Thailand’s most notorious convicts.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am to 4 pm

3. Walk with Flowers at Pak Khlong Talad

Market

Walk with Flowers at Pak Khlong Talad

For an absolute floral experience, enrich your olfactory senses as you step inside Bangkok’s biggest flower market: Pak Khlong Talad. Nestled in the Old City, the Flower Market stretches across the Chak Phet Road near the Memorial Bridge with local merchants eager to sell fresh collections spewing with aromatic scents of different varieties. Indulge yourself as you pick out a bundle from the aesthetic spread of orchids, roses, daisies, carnations and more. While you’re out visiting Wat Pho, make a detour and step inside this enchanting market where you can pick up floral related items, souvenirs and popular flowers sold in packs of 50 to 100.

Address and telephone number: Chak Phet Road, Memorial Bridge, Bangkok, Thailand, +66-2225-7612 – 4

5. Entwine Your Steps at Erawan Museum

Museum

As a majestic three-headed elephant nestled atop a gargantuan pedestal welcomes visitors in, you can take a step back and admire the grand interiors of the Erawan Museum in Bangkok. The museum is a towering expansion which is 29 meters high and is cast in pure green-hued copper. Hundreds of travelers tumble onto the steps of this museum while roaming past Eastern clad antiques, Western inspired psychedelic décor and the religious icon, Erawan, the Hindu elephant. Situated in Samut Prakan, the museum is a gigantic architectural work that houses exquisite art collections.

6. Muse Fables at the Artists House

Muse Fables at the Artists House

One of the most unique setups in Bangkok is Baan Silapin, also known as the Artist’s House, that comprises of an old wooden hut accessible only through a Khlong. While most Thai traditions are wearing out, Artist’s House recollects the ethnicity of the culture and showcases an array of unique exhibits in this beautifully restored foundation. While most tourists speed past this secretive hut, a few are successful at finding Baan Silapin which is owned by Khun Chumpol Akkapantanon. Step aside from the rushing traffic at Thonburi and wheedle your Khlong through back alleys as you come across the Artist’s House, famous also for traditional puppetry shows and galleries.

Address and telephone number: 313 Phetkasem 34, Khuha Sawan, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160, Thailand, 02-868-5279, 089-125-3949

7. Playing with Reptiles at Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm

Zoo

Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, Bangkok

Playing with Reptiles at Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm

Catch a glimpse of Bangkok’s most exciting zoo, Samutprakaran Zoo, which unravels a crocodile farm that was established back in 1950 and has become the largest of its kind in the world. Originated by Mr. Utai Youngprapakorn, the crocodile farm focuses on the research and rehabilitation of crocodiles. The entertaining feature of the farm is the live shows it hosts in its 300 acre area where 100,000 crocodiles are being protected. Enjoy watching their deranged performers as they plunge inside an arena with crocodiles showcasing various antics.

Address and telephone number: 555 moo 7, Taiban, Amphur Muang, Samut Prakan, Bangkok 10280, Thailand, +66-2703 4891

8. High Tea at Double Dog Tea Room

Tea Room, Tea

Whether you’re wandering the streets of Suan Luang for a walking meal of chicken satay or waiting in a queue of eager customers for a meaty treat of steamed sea bass, Bangkok will never disappoint a true foodie. But if you’re tired after extensive hours of sightseeing and are looking for some solace, step inside the eclectic Double Dog Tea Room for a blissful retreat. Let your taste buds revel in the exotic flavors of a variety of teas, blended and presented with a unique feel. Nestled on the high streets of Chinatown, this traditional tea house offers a ceremony of delicious tea served in ceramic pots and home made buns.

9. Embracing Destiny at the Amulet Market

Market

Right next to Wat Mahathat is Bangkok’s biggest Amulet market that presents a fantastic expanse of religious charms, exotic talismans and ancient amulets. If you’re visiting on a Sunday you’ll come across the old faithful, followers who study the traditional amulets, their belief in keeping with the knowledge that it will ward off evil and bring good fortune. Hundreds of merchants offer an incredible variety of amulets, each encompassing a sacred purpose and charm that signifies luck, misfortune, gaiety, fertility, health etc. You can also buy traditional medicine at the Amulet market, composed of natural herbs with their own unique healing properties.

10. Mysterious Island of Ko Kret

Mysterious Island of Ko Kret

The secretive life of a tribal community is always intriguing for those who travel for anthropological interests, so it isn’t a surprise that the island of Ko Kret has become another doorway to tourism in Bangkok. Located 20 kilometers north of the main city, the island secludes centuries-old temples and is home to a native community that shows excellent craftsmanship in clay wares. As you step inside the countryside, Ko Kret is an ethnic civilization that houses the Wat Poramaiyikawas, a sacred pilgrimage site that symbolizes Mon ancestry. The Ko Kret community retains much of its traditional characteristics through Mon artistry –earthen clay pots forged on the island.

Address: Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Bangkok, Thailand

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.