Free Things To Do In Bangkok

I get very excited every time I travel. I get even more excited when I find things I can do for free at my destination. That's why I decided to write a series on ‘free things to do', starting with free things to do in Bangkok.

Get Around Town

Hire a free bicycle from ‘Bangkok Smiles Bikes’ between 10 am and 6 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 7 pm on weekends by just showing a copy of your passport. You can pick up the bike at any of their stations – five in the Rattanakosin area and seven across the river. Remember, you have to return the bicycle back to the station you picked it up from. If cycling is not your passion, then you could follow a self-guided walking tour of the city.

Parks, Parks and More Parks!

Bangkok has several parks where you can just sit and relax. You may even come across some free exercise machines in some of the city's parks:

• Lumphini Park is 58 acres of lush green lawns in the middle of the city with two lakes where rowing and paddle boats are available for rent (not free though!). You can play chess and checkers at specially designed tables and also visit the public library within the park premises. At 6 pm every day, free aerobic classes are held here. December and January are great months to a catch a concert - the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, a rock band or some traditional Thai music. Performances normally start at 5 pm. (Timings: 5 am – 7 pm | Address: Rama IV Road, between Ratchadamri and Witthayu Roads)

• Benchasiri Park is for the art lovers with a sculpture of the commemorative coin with Her Majesty Sirikit on it and other pieces of contemporary sculpture spread across the vast grounds. (Timings: 5 am – 8 pm | Address: Sukhumvit Road, between Soi Sukhumvit 22-24)

• The Phra Nakhon area, which also happens to be the historic district of Bangkok, has many parks, namely Rommaninat Park, Sanam Laung, Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion and Public Park and Saranrom Park.

Explore Chinatown

A visit to Chinatown is a must. Full of small stalls, street food and gold shops, the place oozes energy. If you visit Chinatown during the Chinese New Year around Februar), you will see it in its full glory! Hidden treasures in the Wat Chakrawat Temple complex are the three giant crocodiles, who lie half submerged in a murky pond waiting for their next meal.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Known to be one of the world’s largest open-air markets, Chatuchak Weekend Market is home to 5,000 stalls spread over 35 acres, It opens at 9 am and gets a bit crowded by lunch time. When you’re done window shopping, you could grab some local food and head out to the Chatuchak Park to relax.

Rod Fai Market

A treasure trove of vintage goods, you may just stumble upon interesting and strange stuff like a Superman statue, elephant shaped carrousel car, some vintage cars and other quirky items along with some cheap local food. (Timings: 5 pm – Midnight from Friday to Sunday | Address: Kamphaeng Phet, behind Chatuchak Market)

Watch a Puppet Show

There are only a few places like the Artist’s House in Bangkok where you can watch the dying art of Thai puppetry. Every day (except Wednesday) at 2 pm, you can enjoy watching these delicate puppets being manoeuvred to tell a story. The place itself is great to explore with a 600 year old stupa and life size statues. (Timings: 10 am – 6 pm | Address: Soi Wat Thong Sala Ngarm, Phasi Charoen, near Wat Kuhasawan Temple)

Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

In the middle of a bustling town, the Butterfly Garden and Insectarium sanctuary has over 500 butterflies fluttering around ferns and flowers and a waterfall adding to the natural feel. (Timings: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm except on Monday | Address:  Around the corner from Chatuchak Market, between the Rotfai and Queen Sirikit Gardens)

Temple Hopping

Every neighbourhood in Thailand has a temple. Some do charge an entrance fee for foreigners but if you go early enough, you could try mixing in with the locals before the ticket counter opens. Some of the free temples are Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat (Chinatown), Wat Patum Wanaram (next to Central World Plaza shopping centre) and Wat Indraviharn (Dusit).

Spectacular Sunsets

Watching the sun setting is always a sublime experience. Luckily, it is always free! But to watch it set behind the Wat Arun from across the Chao Phraya River is an experience not to be missed.

Visit the Museums

• The Bangkokian Museum – Undoubtedly Bangkok’s coolest museum and also called the Bangkok Folk Museum, its exhibits depict the typical middle class life during the mid-1950s through a collection of wooden houses depicting those times. (Timings: 10 am – 4 pm from Wednesday to Sunday | Address: Soi Charoen Krung 43)

• The Corrections Museum – A prison that has been converted into a museum demonstrating the different kinds of punishments meted over the course of Bangkok’s history, the Corrections Museum has life size wax figures showing various execution scenes, punishment tools and weapons and photographs. (Timings: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday | Address: Maha Chai Road)

• The Royal Elephant Museum – The royal elephant stable has been converted into a museum, to give an insight into the importance of the national animal in Thai customs, history and mythology. (Timings: 9 am – 4 pm | Address: Dusit district)

• The Bangkok Dolls Museum – An internationally recognised museum with a collection of over 400 dolls, the Bangkok Dolls Museum has on display handmade dolls in traditional and tribal attire.  There is also a section of international dolls. (Timings: 8.30 am – 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday | Address: Street 85 Soi Ratchataphan)

Thai Dancing at the Eawan Shrine

A dance performance at the National Theatre is not to be missed. You can watch one without spending any money at the stunning Erawan Shrine next to Chidlom Sky Train station. The shrine is full of worshipers and is illuminated with candles. The aroma of incense fills the air and traditional Thai music plays in the background. Interestingly, these dances are a form of prayer to attain the blessings from the almighty for happiness in romance!

Art Exhibitions

The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is the best free exhibition centre in Bangkok. Find out what exhibition is on while you are in town and you might just end up enjoying yourself without spending a Baht!

Watch Thai Boxing

Catch a Thai Boxing match outside the MBK Centre, Siam District every Wednesday at 6 pm.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available at Central World Plaza, Siam Discovery Centre, Erawan Centre, and plenty of other malls, restaurants and cafes across the city.

Enjoy these ‘cheap thrills’ when in Bangkok next! It would be great to add to this list, so send in your comments if you do find some more interesting free things to do in Bangkok.

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