It can be frustrating when you wake up to cloudy days when you're on holiday, but Bangkok has plenty of options to keep you busy even when it rains. If you're feeling energetic, check out some Muay Thai boxing training, or challenge your pals to your own version of the Grand Prix.
Anyone who loves to shop will have already heard how fabulous Bangkok's malls are, but they also offer plenty of family fun, including ice rinks and bowling. Siam Paragon even has one of Asia's largest aquariums in its basement! There's so much fun to be had indoors that you'll soon forget about the bad weather.
Get a spa treatment
Getting pampered with a massage while in Bangkok should be a rite of passage. There are massage shops set up on practically every street, so you're never more than a quick dash away if the heavens open. But for that little touch of luxury, every 5-star hotel has an in-house spa at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay back home, so there’s no reason to even reach for that umbrella. Thai massage has been exported to every corner of the globe but, in our opinion, the original is still the best… we’ll leave it for you to decide.
You can’t really walk down a street in Bangkok without coming across a massage parlour. They are as ubiquitous as 7-Elevens. Massage shops are usually spread over several floors. On the ground floor, you’ll find a row of chairs and footstalls where you can get a foot massage. Upstairs, there’ll be a series of mattresses separated by curtains for Thai massages. You put on a pair pyjamas (provided by the place) so the massage therapist can bend and stretch your limbs easily.
Since there are so many in the city, it would be impossible to pick out a selection of the very best, so it’s more a case of common sense. Often smaller hotels will be able to make recommendations too. Most massage shops will speak basic English and prices will be advertised outside the shop. On average it costs around 200 baht to 300 baht for an hour-long Thai massage.
Try all the fun stuff at CentralWorld
Bangkok is truly a world-class shopping destination, with a mix of international fashion brands and a wide range of local fashion designers making shopping a popular rainy day activity. There's no shortage of shopping malls to choose from, but the biggest of them all is CentralWorld, a mega-shopping complex connected to the Chit Lom and Siam BTS stations by a sheltered walkway. As well as a comprehensive selection of high-street and high-end fashion and eating options, there's a 15-screen cinema, Kid’s Zone, and even an ice skating rink!
Location: 999/9 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 640 7000
Go underwater without getting wet at SEA LIFE Ocean World
In the basement of Siam Paragon shopping mall, you'll find one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia – SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World. There are plenty of creatures to check out, from scary sharks to jumping jellyfish. Take a ride on the glass-bottomed boat or discover the plants and wildlife from the rainforest, including spiders and snakes.
A trip to Siam Ocean World can be combined with a visit to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in the nearby Siam Discovery Mall, and these 2 tickets can be bought together at the counter for a discounted price.
Location: B1-B2 Floor, Siam Paragon, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 687 2000
Forget your diet and stuff your face with cake!
When it’s grey and miserable outside, sometimes all you want is a nice cup of tea and a delicious piece of cake in a cosy café. Why not turn it into a challenge and try a variety of the best and most unusual cakes and desserts in Bangkok?
Whether you are working your way through the large chunk of honey toast with friends and family at After You, getting a chocolate overload at The Sukhothai's Chocolate Buffet or digging into a delicious slice of crepe cake at Secret Garden, there is nothing better than sweet treats to cheer you up on a rainy day.
Travel the world in one place at Terminal 21 Shopping Mall
At Terminal 21, shopping is only one small part of the experience. This mall has a 'one floor, one city' design that allows visitors to travel the world one escalator at a time. The boulevards of Paris, ornate lanterns of Tokyo and the towering Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco are all displayed, along with other cities including London, Istanbul and Rome. Terminal 21 must take the accolade of the most unique concept for a shopping mall in Bangkok, in Thailand, and perhaps in all of Asia.
Location: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Art in Paradise Trick-Eye 3D Museum
Art in Paradise, the very successful interactive attraction which started in Pattaya, is also available in the Esplanade Shopping Mall on Ratchada Road in Bangkok. Known by locals as the Trickeye Museum or 3D Museum, Art in Paradise is great fun for couples, friends and families to spend a few hilarious hours, especially on rainy days. Esplanade Mall is located on the outskirts of Bangkok, but the MRT station is right in front of the mall.
Location: The Esplanade Mall, Ratchadapisek Rd, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 660 9130
Get a dose of culture at BACC Gallery
An engaging and thought-provoking way to spend an afternoon is at The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre. This striking cylindrical building with a spiral staircase lining the outer wall in a Guggenheim-esque fashion is the highlight of Thailand’s art scene. It has an ever-changing roster of exhibits ranging from sculpture to photography and every creative discipline in between. It’s a popular hangout for students (maybe because it’s free), local artists and tourists, with a few shops and cafés with a faux-bohemian vibe.
Location: 939 Rama I Rd, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10am to 9pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +66 (0)2 214 6630
Fly a jet plane
A simulation flight is an extra-special gift for everyone, from young children who dream of being pilots to those who have a passion for planes. According to research, it can even help those who are scared of flying to find their wings. The experience feels so realistic that the cockpit in Bangkok has even been used in films and TV shows, and although it isn’t a bargain, it still costs significantly less than in Australia or Europe.
Location: Gateway Ekamai Shopping Mall, 2nd Floor, 22 Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10am to 9pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 048 9922
Drive fast at EasyKart
A high-octane experience zooming around a fairly technical track can be enjoyed in any weather at EasyKart indoor go-kart track in RCA Plaza. The great thing about go-karting is that it can be enjoyed by kids as young as 7 and as old as 70, and with different karts available, both beginners and experts will be in for a memorable ride. Other facilities include a chill-out area with sofas, a viewing deck, and a pool table for those who can’t handle it in the driver’s seat.
Location: 31/11 RCA Plaza, 2nd Floor, Rama 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320, Thailand
Open: Daily from 1pm to 12am
Phone: +66 (0)2 203 1205 ext. 24
Cook up a storm
If you can’t stand the rain, get in the kitchen! Taking a cookery class is a popular activity throughout Thailand, where food is such a distinctive and enjoyable part of life. There are many cooking classes in Bangkok, so it’s up to you how hands-on you’d like to be. Some classes take guests through the entire process – from sourcing ingredients at the market, through to sitting down and enjoying the fruits of your labour. Other classes arrange everything so all participants have to do is turn up and start cooking.
