The bustling Thai capital of Bangkok is famous for its juxtaposition of ancient and modern, serene temples next door to glass high rises are a common sight. Everybody knows you must visit the Royal Palace, and enjoy the vibrant downtown nightlife, but there are other, less-known sights to see and places to visit that are just as unforgettable as the main attractions
Here are some of the hidden treasures that await the intrepid urban explorer when they venture forth from their luxury resort in Bangkok ready for new adventures!
Benchakitti Park – If you need a break from the concrete jungle then this peaceful oasis is the place to go to feel like you’re miles away from civilisation. The park boasts an actual forest around a large lake with walking and biking trails encircling it. This is the perfect spot for a morning stroll or a picnic under the cool shade of the trees.
Wang Lang Market – This place is the real deal, an authentic, traditional Thai market popular with the locals, it’s rare to find any tourists there at all. Be prepared for some narrow squeezes through the crowds as you wend your way down the long halls chock-a-block with stalls selling local clothing, inexpensive fashion and beauty products, toys, and much more. Show up hungry because the real highlights are the street food carts and local restaurants offering barbecued meat skewers, rice dishes, noodles, and a bewildering variety of traditional Thai desserts you have never seen before!
Kudee Jeen Village – This historic village is a community where Thai people holding three different religious beliefs, Catholic, Muslim, and Taoism, all live together in harmony. As you enter from the river promenade the first thing you will see is the beautiful old Santa Cruz Church built around 1770. The village residential area is a maze of alleys that are fun to get lost in. Visit Baan Kudichin Museum, a house-turned-museum displaying an exhibition on the Portuguese settlers in the ancient Thai kingdom of Siam, the village’s Catholic residents are their descendants. There is a Taoist shrine on the promenade, Kian Un Keng, dedicated to the Goddess Guanyin, with a very peaceful courtyard. The Muslim quarter is called Kudee Khao and is located away from the river across Arun Amarin Road.
We hope you enjoy visiting some parts of Bangkok that usually go unseen by the outside world.