Bangkok Little Discoveries
Bangkok is full of so many great activities you could never find time to do them all. But you could do some of them, or try a new one on each trip. Maybe you’ve been to most of the temples, taken the river cruises, shopped at the malls, or thought you’d already experienced much of the amazing city? If so, we’ll give you four experiences that may surprise you. Our little discoveries that we love. These are places we’ve tried and hope you will like too. For example,there’s a fabulous temple community located by the canal where you hardly know you’re in the huge Bangkok metropolis. It’s where you can meet the people who live and work there,who can sell you crafts, coffee, delicious foods, and where you can even make your own art using materials that they have ready.There are a lot of places for food in this peaceful community. There’s a place where you can learn how to make Thai desserts like at “Grandma’s House.” Shopping for souvenirs is easy in this community and we are glad to get out of the Bangkok traffic and walk around this pleasant area.
The Artist House Bangkok is packed full of colors and people who love art. It’s a beautiful place where you can make art and jewelry right by the canal. You can buy (for a small fee) everything you need to make a painting right there, or pick out beads for a necklace or bracelet. Staff at The Artist House Bangkok are friendly and on hand to help you complete your artwork. Or you can admire the unique gallery in this centuries old house. It’s also fun watching the longtail boats pass by and taking pictures. We sat by the water at the front of The Artist House and found a cute little table while charging our phones and enjoyed fresh sugar cane juice.
Local art work and
photography are featured and displayed here and there is a puppet theater Location: Khlong Bang Luang Artist House, 309, 28 Phet Kasem Rd, Khuha Sawan, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok. You get to Baan Silapin by the MRT to Bang Phai Station, then walk 1 km northwest to Soi 28 You pass Wat Kamphaeng Bangchak and Wat Thong Sala before reaching the gallery. You can also take a motorbike taxi. We saw that many people do this transport. Closes 6 pm
Nattaporn Ice Cream is also a “find” that we really love, especially on a hot Bangkok afternoon. Sitting around a table outside, we tried many flavors, our favorites being Thai tea, coconut, green tea, and coffee ice cream. It is a fun family-run place on a side soi and the perfect place to chill. Located at 94 Phraeng Phuthon Rd, San Chao Pho Sua, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. Closes 5 pm
32Bar X is another happy, hidden spot especially for chocolate lovers. It’s a quaint, cool hangout and the owner is super friendly. The staff give you free chocolate samples to determine which craft chocolate you want for your cold or hot beverage.The cacao comes from at least nine different Thai cacao-growing regions and this tiny, air-conditioned cafe is perfect on a hot day, especially with plenty of chocolate to eat and drink. Located in artsy and historic Talay Noi. Find it on 294 Soi Wanit 2, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok. Closes 7 pm 66 63 898 9891
Body Care Works Soi 18 is off
Sukhumvit and well-worth taking the time for what’s called the complete “head to toe” beauty and cosmetic spa experience. A Vietnamese and Korean style spa, it is one of our favorite discoveries.How can you not love having everything done in one place: scrubbing, massage, nails, hair washed, really everything you’d love for a pleasurable happy body care treatment?
The spa even does nose waxing, deep ear cleaning, body massage, foot massage, and body scrubbing, cucumber facials, all kinds of professional body care treatments. Men especially love the hot towel facial shave! I think we were there for about three hours making a recent YouTube video showing Jason getting the full treatment. It is called “Sir, You Just Lay Down & Let Us Do Everything. (Best ASMR to 100% go Sleep!”) Bangkok, Thailand.”
Location 3 30 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Bangkok. Closes 10 p.m. Tel 66 2 124 5246.
We hope you like our short list of Bangkok things to do after you think you’ve almost done it all, or are just looking for a few things you would enjoy. Carla Marie Rupp and Jason Rupp are freelance travel journalists who share stories and YouTube videos.
You can contact them at [email protected] and [email protected]. They’d love to hear about places you like in Bangkok and could even share some of your tips in a future travel story.