Get lost in a museum
Museums are not all travelers’ cup of tea. That being said, the capital is home to a few that will impress visitors with their wide range of artifacts, information, and interesting finds. One of these is the National Museum Bangkok. Founded in 1887 by King Rama V, the artifacts found inside the museum’s massive grounds date back thousands of years ago. Another interesting yet disturbing museum is the Siriraj Medical Museum, otherwise dubbed as the ‘Death Museum.’ Its artifacts are seemingly more gruesome than visitors would find anywhere else in the world. The Museum of Siam, National Museum of Royal Barges, and the Jim Thompson House Museum are all noteworthy, as well.
Go to the cinema
Bangkok is home to some of the most impressive movie theaters in the world. Paragon Cineplex in the luxurious Siam Paragon is equipped with an IMAX theater and 4D movie experiences with 10 different special effects. Scala Theatre located just across the street from Siam Paragon does not look like it has aged since it was built, offering movie-goers a different type of cinema experience with its vintage vibe. Whatever type of cinema experience you are on the lookout for, Bangkok’s theaters are eager to please.
Grab a coffee
Coffee connoisseurs will be happy to hear that Bangkok’s caffeine scene is a thriving one. With delicious brews found across the city, coffee drinkers will not be disappointed with the vast selection of cafes to choose from. There are coffee shops open late, should night owls want to head to places like Too Fast to Sleep and 24 Owls Café and Bistro. Those looking for a comfortable shop to curl up and enjoy the rain with a novel in tow should check out places like (un) FASHION Café near the BTS skytrain station Ekkamai, with plush benches and plenty of windows to watch the storm pass.
Go shopping
Shine that baht, as the shopping in the capital is some of the best in the world. Bangkok is equipped with everything from luxurious, high-end shopping malls to indoor bazaars of sorts, all of which are indoors. Those looking for designer brands should head to places like Siam Paragon, Central World, and Emporium. Those travelers on a budget should instead visit places like MBK. Anyone looking for something other than clothes may instead opt to visit Pantip Plaza, where you’ll find thousands of electronic items and accessories for affordable prices.
Take a cooking class
A trip to Thailand is not complete without taking a Thai cooking class. While a visit to the market may be off the table on a rainy day, much of a cooking class is spent indoors anyway and is a noteworthy experience regardless. There are many cooking schools in the capital, including Blue Elephant, Silom Thai Cooking School, and May Kaidee, just to name a few.
Indulge in a spa day
There are seemingly one too many places to get pampered in the capital. From the seedy massage parlors adjacent Soi Cowboy with massages starting at only ฿100 to the most luxurious of venues, the city has it all. Those looking for something a bit more high-end may opt to visit AWAY Spa or the Banyan Tree Spa. It is here visitors will find modern treatment rooms and the most professional of masseuses. City-goers can also explore the many sois (streets) and they will surely stumble upon many cheap massage parlors that will not break the bank with their assorted available treatments, from Thai massages to oil massages and even milk massages. Ruen-Nuad Massage Studio is another noteworthy massage studio in the city.