Bangkok off the Beaten Path: 10 Non-touristy Things to Do

Off the beaten path, non-touristy, unusual, unique, if those are what you're looking for in your Bangkok stay, I am happy to take you on a little walk away from the well-known temples and sights people see when visiting this cosmopolitan city.

Of course, the top tourist spots in Bangkok are definitely worth visiting too but if you are a bit like me or have been to Bangkok before, I'll show you some destinations that will surprise you.

This is not a page in your usual travel guide, this is for the ones who like quirky adventures, cool shopping and exploring the city through different modes of transportation – like roller skates or by bicycle. Even more adventurous activities like surfing in the middle of the city and learning Parkour à la action movie star, can all be found in quirky Bangkok.

1. Marvel At Thai Architecture At The Jim Thompson House

What better way to introduce a different side of Bangkok than through a legendary person. James H.W. Thompson is the former owner of the Jim Thompson House. He founded the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company which first placed Thailand on the map for quality silk products.

For his achievement and contribution to the Thai community, he was nicknamed the “Legendary American of Thailand” and was awarded with the “Order of the Elephant,” a prestigious award given to foreigners who have made a great impact in their country. He was a beloved individual in Bangkok when he mysteriously disappeared during a holiday with his friends at Malaysia's Cameron Highlands just after his 61st birthday. Today, his spirit still lives on at the Jim Thompson House in the heart of Bangkok, surrounded by a small tropical oasis.

The Jim Thompson House isn't actually just one house. It consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-design buildings. The main house consists of the master bedroom, 2 guest bedrooms, the Benjarong porcelain room, a study, a drawing room, a dining room and a terrace that faces the boat landing by the canal.

Other structures in this complex are the Silk Pavilion, Gold Pavilion, Painting Pavilion, Spirit House, office, and library. The Jim Thompson House is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily. Admission tickets with complimentary guided tours are worth 150 baht for adults and 100 baht for students.

2. Visit Caturday Cat Café Or Neverland Husky Café

Caturday Cat Café does take its cat-themed café seriously from the enormous cat mascot out front, the wandering cats by the entryway, the cat-themed faucet to wash your hands before you enter, and of course, the cute and cuddly cats roaming the inside.

Come in the morning and they are very willing to play with you! Whereas lunchtime is nap time and many cats laze around the place. You can even buy some cat snacks for the kitties. And of course, you can have your fill too of yummy hot or cold drinks and snacks for reasonable prices. I saw the Rainbow Crepe Cake with Strawberry Sauce go over the counter many times!

There are adorable cat images on the wall, colorful murals, and decor. See their Facebook page for gorgeous photos and videos of the café and its furry inhabitants.

If cats are not so much your thing, no worries, there is a place for the human's best friend too. Drop by TrueLove @ Neverland, a dog lover's café that is home to 25 Siberian Huskies, 1 Japanese Akita, 2 Australian Shepherds, and 1 MoMo. The entrance fee is 350 baht inclusive of a free cake and beverage and of course, one-hour playtime with the doggies.

Playtime isn't available the whole day so do take note of the following interaction time. The café is open daily and the visiting hours are 11.30 am to 12.45 pm and 2.30 pm to 3.45 pm. Get a glimpse of the awesome doggie life at the café through their Facebook page. It operates on a first come first serve basis, you cannot reserve a spot.

3. Explore An Airplane Graveyard

When you think of airplanes, it's most likely as a mode of transportation to get you from one adventure to the next, right? But just like all things, airplanes don't last forever either. So what happens to airplanes when they aren't flying anymore? In Bangkok, you can see many of those decommissioned planes spread out on a field where they are stripped of all the useful parts and what's left behind of its former glory is wreckage and debris.

Exploring the airplane graveyard in Bangkok might never have been on your bucket list but it sure is a pretty cool and different thing to do in Bangkok. You can even climb inside the plane and see the leftover debris for yourself.

But more than the actual “dead” planes to notice are the families that call those airplanes their humble homes. We may not have thought of airplanes as more than just flying metal cages but to see old airplanes as the most basic means of shelter is really a change of perspective. Additionally, exploring the airplane graveyard, this little adventure gives us a great opportunity to show empathy and speak to the local people who live here. A simple meal or pre-loved clothes are just a few simple ways that you can show affection to these families. Just be wary, there have been reports of them demanding money to enter as well.

4. Browse Siam Discovery For A Different Shopping Experience

Dare I say that Bangkok=Shopping. But when you land at the Siam Discovery shopping centre, this is certainly a different experience to have in Bangkok as it is a radical offbeat concept. Unlike the usual grouping by brands, Siam Discovery's retail concept is entirely led by lifestyle and the overall shopping experience.

Different brands come together to envision different lifestyle concepts such as the digital lab, his & her lab, street lab, play lab, and creative lab. The laboratory design is evident in the lab-inspired decors and installations in the form of molecular structures, flasks, test tubes, and beakers.

A lot of the furniture and fixtures enhance the place with a geometric style. Chic and classy do not even cover the beauty of this mall. When wandering the floors, it feels like walking through someone's house as the goods are naturally laid out instead of being piled up as we know it from traditional stores.

You can read my full guide to the best shopping in Bangkok here.

5. Catch A Wave At The Flow House

You might know how much I love surfing and miss it when I travel away from the ocean. If you have a little surfer heart living inside you too, your dream to catch a wave in the concrete jungle of Bangkok can actually come true! And there's no need to ride hours to the beach as you can now catch the waves at The Flow House.

No matter if you are a complete first-timer, there are instructors at The Flow House to help you out. Wave sessions are hourly so arrive earlier than your reservation time so you won't miss the full hour. Flow House is open daily and there's a beach club and bar as well for those who don't ride the waves you can just chill. On Monday to Friday, they are open from 2 pm to 11 pm. On Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, they are open from 10 am to 11 pm.

6. Cruise The Smaller Channels Instead Of The Chao Phraya River

While some might argue that a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River is a popular thing to do in Bangkok and it is lovely, I'd say opt for the smaller canals or “khlongs” that reveal a more authentic side of Bangkok. Instead of haggling with boat drivers at the tourist piers who would normally overcharge you and won't even give you any info, cruise by traditional Thai houses and see the real Bangkok life.

Other than the well-educated guides, a plus when joining the Pandan Canal Tour is that your carbon footprint is radically lessened because their boats run on natural gas, unlike the common longtails that contribute to noise and air pollution.

They offer pick up and drop off at your accommodation, a rare inclusion in riverboat tours. Then the choice is yours, you have different tour packages or you customise your very own itinerary depending on what riverside landmarks or interesting sights you want to focus on. A few sites you can see include the different temples, an orchid nursery, floating markets, flower markets, and so much more.

7. Join The Bangkok Roller Derby Every Tuesday

I don't know about you but I love to go inline skating in another city and have joined a few meetups in other cities already. With the Bangkok Roller Derby, you can experience this points-based contact sport firsthand and meet other people from all over the world. They meet every Tuesday from 8-10 pm.

If you're a beginner, you can have an early warm-up at 7.30 pm at Imperial World, Lad Phrao. No need to fret if you don't have the necessary equipment. There are skates and pads that you may rent. It's the perfect occasion to get active, sweat a little and make friends from all around the globe. Keep up to date of announcements and other details through their Facebook page.

8. Paddleboat Through Lumphini Park

After seeing all the grey concrete and the shiny facades of the city, the hustle and bustle of cars, people, and tuk-tuks, a patch of green surely will be a welcome sight. Lumphini Park is one of the largest park spaces in the city.

It comprises of more than 142 acres of greens, playgrounds, and an artificial lake at the center. Access to Lumphini Park is free of charge. Other than just enjoying the change of scenery, you should also take advantage of a leisurely paddleboat ride.

You have a choice of the white duck and swan paddle boats, a regular one, or a rowing boat. It all cost 40 baht an hour. The pretty swan boats aren't even the best part!

While on the water, keep an eye out for curious wildlife such as turtles, catfishes, birds, and best of all, the big monitor lizards. They are the size of teenage crocodiles but don't get scared if they head your way. They are not necessarily a threat, even though I won't blame you if your heart beats a bit faster.

9. Take A Parkour Class

And I thought my ninja dream would only just be a dream. But that was before I came across Bangkok Parkour. If you've ever marveled at action movie stars jumping from impossible heights or climbing up rails in one swift move and pretty much displaying awesome body strength, at Asia Parkour you can find out how far you can go. Their classes cater to all levels of ability and different ages.

Become fit, focus on the theory and techniques, and train for some awesome moves. It's all about coordination, social skills, teamwork as well as building physical and mental strength. The drop-in fee includes a 1-hour training for 550 baht.

10. Go On An Evening Bike Tour

Cycling around in the daytime is a cool way to explore Bangkok and other cities around the globe. But how about an evening bike tour through Thailand's capital? Because night is actually the time when the city wakes up and the climate is mild and the sun is not as burning. It's a perfect way to see the sights in a different light, literally. With Grasshopper Adventures you can explore the city under the light of the moon and stars. Meet-up time is at 5.30 pm in the Grasshopper Adventures Shop near Khao San Road. There are some great places to stay around here too!

When the clock strikes 6 pm, the 3 to 4-hour tour will take you around town, along the river and show you the hidden spots. One of the advantages of having a night tour is that all the tourist spots are free of crowds and are lit up gloriously in bright lights.

The night bike adventure will lead you to the backstreets of Bangkok, on a ferry crossing over the Chao Phraya River, then on to Wat Arun which is the Temple of the Dawn and on to the beautiful and bustling flower market.

Wat Pho temple, one of my favourites in Bangkok, lies just past the Grand Palace and is the last stop before the night market. The bike tour costs 1,250 baht and is truly worth every penny, I would do it over and over again!

A city as alive and unique as Bangkok sure has a lot of cool stuff to put on your itinerary. From fancy to crazy, from unusual to puzzling, Bangkok has a few great things to do when you want to go off the beaten path.

Without a doubt, these 10 things will give you a very different experience that makes what Bangkok truly is. And it's not all shiny temples and palaces!