What’s the point of coming to Thailand if you’re not going to try out some of the local uniquely Thai experiences? This list details some of the very fun local activities that you can take part in!
10. Bicycle Tour
There’s nothing like seeing the local sites while getting some exercise
While not a uniquely Thai experience, cycling around on a Bangkok bicycle tour will let you see sites that are definitely uniquely Thai! Get away from the busy streets and dive into the real Bangkok and discover hidden alleyways.
Get your chance to explore the many different neighborhoods of the cosmopolitan Bangkok Metropolitan; ride through the urban jungle, pass through some serene greens, go over the many canals of the Chao Phraya and more!
9. Ladyboy Cabaret Show
The third gender is ready to put on a show
Thailand is world renowned for a lot of things, and the krathoey (ladyboy) is one of them! Some of these vivacious ladies are excellent performers and entertainers, and they’re just itching to put on a show!
Drop by a cabaret and be ready to be bedazzled by an assortment of singing, dancing, and all-around extraordinary showmanship! Truly an experience you’ll never forget!
8. Tuk Tuk Ride
Motorized three wheeled chaos that’s geared to take you on the ride of your life
The three wheeled rickshaw, locally known as the tuk tuk is very symbolic of Bangkok itself. It’s loud, wild, chaotic, and just pure fun to be in! Hiring a tuk tuk for a Bangkok tour is one of the most uniquely Thai experiences that you could have, so step in, take a deep breath, and hold on!
7. Thai Cooking Class
Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy all in a single wok…at your home
If you’re not in Thailand to try the local cuisine, then you’re missing out on one of the most essential parts of the uniquely Thai experience. There are Thai restaurants worldwide, but there’s only one country that really gets it right. So why stop at tasting the local fare when you can take it home to your kitchen?
There are many local experts that would happily share their techniques with you should you choose to learn them. Make time for a Thai cooking class and learn the secrets of some of the most amazing cuisine on this planet!
6. Floating Market
A visual feast for the eyes and palate
The floating market is becoming an incredibly rare sight in the modern urban sprawl of Bangkok. All the more reason to reserve a boat tour in the canals and see one for yourself!
The cascade of boats, fruits, and vegetables is perfect for photos, also guaranteed are some amazing food stalls along the canals. Very well worth spending a morning here!
5. German Beer Garden
A raucous place for only the stoutest of revellers
I’m sorry, excuse me? A German Beer Garden as a uniquely Thai experience? Tawandang German Brewery was opened in 1999 to great mainstream Thai success. In a country where alcohol is dominated by local beer companies, Tawandang was one of the first microbreweries to have resounding success.
This establishment has been a mainstay in the local Thai populace for its amazing German fare, and even more amazing German style beers. You can find many a Thai carousing at Tawandang, having something a bit different and yet all too familiar in the Thai cultural experience.
📍462/61 Rama3 Road, Khwaeng Chongnonsi, Khet Yannawa, Bangkok
🕒 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
View on Google Maps
4. Thai Massage
Lay down, close your eyes, and relax as you get snapped in half
After a long day of seeing all of the amazing sights that Thailand is well-known for, why not get all of the knots out at the local massage? Thai massage can be incredibly relaxing, but don’t be fooled, a truly trained masseuse won’t just be kneading sore muscles. Expect to be twisted, manipulated, and have your unaligned joints snapped back into place!
Check out our TOP 10’s for the best Spa’s in Bangkok (Coming Soon)
3. Dinner Cruise
After a long day of adventure, decompress along the “River of Kings”
While this entry is also not particularly a traditional Thai experience, many of Bangkok’s most famous sites (like Wat Arun) happen to be along the Chao Phraya River. What better way to view them than to do so at night when they’re lit up decoratively, and having a delectable Thai dinner on the back of a luxury cruise!
A river cruise down the Chao Phraya is a perfect way to cap off a day of sightseeing…with even more sightseeing! Book a cruise, enjoy your meal, and finish off your night with an outing on this most majestic of rivers.
2. Muay Thai Fight
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat through the “Science of the Eight Limbs”
Muay Thai has become world renowned as an exciting high stakes combat sport. Some of the toughest fighters worldwide partake in this deadly art. If you’re in Bangkok, why not watch where some of the masters of Muay Thai hone their craft and put everything on the line?
You’ll have the option of choosing a few different experiences in what you might want to watch. There are exhibitions where fighters will take it easier just to put on a show for the crowd. Sometimes they’ll even beckon for you to come into the ring and take a few swings of your own! Or you can choose to see pure grit, and mettle as boxers fight for the ultimate prize in winnings, pride, and the glory of the ring!
➡️ Check out the newest Muay Thai Stadium in Bangkok
1. Temples in Bangkok
A cliche` when it comes to traditional Thai experiences, but for good reason
It’s a safe top pick for the traditional Thai experience, not because it’s something that everyone does when coming to Bangkok, but because of the sheer variety of what you’ll get to see and visit.
These temples are more than just a place of worship. They represent a cornerstone in Thai society as locals once received their education there, and they still serve as a place for communal gatherings and activities.
Have your pick at some of the most historical, and richly cultural sites within Bangkok. Each temple is unique, with its own story, background, art, and history.
Everyone who is coming to Bangkok has to see at least 1 temple. You can see our list of the Top 10 temples in Bangkok worth visiting here.
