Chatuchak Park is a large and pleasant park with plenty of space to sit in the sunshine or in a shaded spot under a tree. Park benches are also scattered throughout the grounds. Located right next to the MRT and BTS stations, there are public conveniences and an array of food vendors just outside the park. A quaint bridge crosses a pond, and fountains add to the lovely scene. It is one of the oldest public parks in Bangkok and is a popular hangout spot for locals.
An especially great place to take kids, the dome of Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is home to several species of butterfly. The winged creatures flit freely around their lush home, the environment created to be as close to a butterfly’s natural habitat as possible. There’s a waterfall, rockeries, flowers, plants, and trees. Sit on a bench and wait for the butterflies to come out of hiding and learn more about a butterfly’s life at the information points. There’s no admission fee.
Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Chatuchak, Bangkok +66 90 918 2222
Another wonderful (and free!) attraction for children in Chatuchak, the Children’s Discovery Museum has many interactive displays and exhibits on a variety of topics. From dinosaurs and the human body to architectural design and a mirror tunnel, there are many ways for curious children to be captivated. The outside play area is ideal for energetic kids and the fountains are a great way to cool down on a hot day.
Children’s Discovery Museum, Chatuchak, Bangkok +66 2 272 4500
Kasetsart University was established in the 1940s and it is one of the biggest universities in Thailand today. It was the nation’s first agricultural university. While it still focuses heavily on agriculture, animal care, and related subjects, it also offers study programs in engineering, economics, and other academic fields. The large campus has several places of interest, including Bangkok Aquarium, the oldest aquarium in Thailand. It is home to a selection of native freshwater fish. One of the more unusual attractions is the Ant Museum, and people interested in farming can visit the Agriculture Museum. This is a great place for people who like discovering offbeat attractions that are away from the typical tourist trail.
Kasetsart University, 50 Thanon Ngam Wong Wan, Khwaeng Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak, Bangkok +66 2 942 8200
The purpose-built Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) contains the biggest display of artworks in the country. Paintings and sculptures and spread over five floors, showing how the arts scene in Thailand has developed and changed over the years. There are pieces that seek to prompt discussions about a range of social, economic, and political issues, as well as those that deal with subjects often considered somewhat taboo in the nation. No topic is off bounds here, with works that relate to religion, corruption, prostitution, nudity, and history.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 499 Kamphaengphet 6 Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok +66 2 016 5666
