Things to Do

Old Town Bangkok makes you move like you have all the time in the world. It sits in the Phra Nakhon district, which literally means ‘royal city’. Here, things move at their own inherited pace, not the calculated slow of somewhere trying to be quaint, but the rhythm of a place that’s simply always existed this way. Rattanakosin Island, as it’s also called, sits snugly between the Chao Phraya and a maze of canals. Before Bangkok became the kind of city where ancient temples back onto phone repair shops, this was ground zero. Since 1782, lives have been building up here, one generation on top of another. The density’s part of the charm. This neighbourhood still holds its weight – you can feel it was once the centre of everything.   Photograph: Maksim Romashkin The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun: the big three temples holding down the district, the giant guardians still on duty. Holy ground that hasn't been museumed. There’s a faint smell in some alleys, jasmine mixed with coconut from street snacks that’ve been made the exact same way for decades. Tuk-tuks navigate impossibly narrow passages. They shouldn’t fit, but they always do. Bangkok’s racing ahead naturally, but somehow nothing that shaped this corner ever really disappears. The river flows. The flower market opens before dawn, same as it has for generations. People here just move differently, so you end up flowing through the neighbourhood in an oft-paused, wandering manner. You don’t even realise you’re doing it. What’s it known for?   Photograph: Wisnu Phaewchimplee A spiritual island. Old Town with a time zone of its own, held there by the water. Glass towers shot up everywhere else in the city, but this place didn’t fight it. Didn’t make a big show of staying the same either. Motor shops upgrade their equipment. New coffee spots and international restaurants squeeze in between the old storefronts. All of it peaceful, moving slow, together. Why do locals love it? Mostly because the real texture lives in the mundane rituals: shophouses keeping their original bones while cracks of change let modern concepts in. It’s a place where people hunt down a specific person for that specific something, with no aesthetic agenda, just the ordinary machinery of days cycling forward. Walkability exists here too. You just end up on foot somehow, navigating the area. And that matters more than it sounds, especially in a city like Bangkok, where sprawl keeps pushing everything further apart and highways and high-rises slice the map into isolated fragments. Being able to walk from point A to B without a strategy session is rare. How do I get to the area? First option is to take the MRT and get off at Sanam Chai station, where the design itself references temple architecture, a design choice that telegraphs location before anyone’s cleared the escalator. The boats matter though. There’s something about pulling up to Old Town by river that has this half-awake quality to it, riverside living with clothes airing out to dry, longtail boats and those wake patterns they leave when passing you. Walking then water, or the reverse, either direction opens up the neighbourhood properly.  Chao Phraya Express Boats run on coloured flags: blue for visitors, orange for everyday commuters, yellow for peak-hour runs and green-yellow for selective stops. Anyone can board any line, though blue boats angle themselves towards exploration: B150 unlocks unlimited pier-hopping for the day, or it’s B30 for a one-way shot. Tha Tien, Tha Chang and Tha Phra Athit are among the pier names worth knowing. Taxis and Grab handle the broader streets until the lanes pinch down to barely two people wide. Bicycles are everywhere! Locals navigate by instinct. Rental bikes lean against corners, green Anywheel scooters are lined up in their zones. If you could only do one thing A longtail boat ride through the khlongs while Bangkok’s water neighbourhoods are still rubbing sleep from their eyes. At Tha Tien or Phra Athit pier: you’re looking at B1,500-2,000 per boat. Most operators stick to their 9am schedules, timed for tour groups. But ask around a day early and a few cool captains will meet you in the dark and take you along on their everyday rides.

If getting lost is a prerequisite to good travel, Songkhla disorientates in all the right ways.  Ramvithi Road, where mini-vans drop off travellers from Hat Yai for B34, looks like any main road in Thailand. But as you stroll into the Old Town, you’ll soon be wondering which country, and into which century, you might have stumbled. North of the City Gate, past the golden-domed Banbon Mosque that anchors a community where Thai-Chinese and Muslims live side-by-side, rows of antique shophouses simply ooze charm. The Taoist temples and clan academies signpost the old Chinese quarter, while Wat Yang Thong, a redolent Thai temple complex near the city walls, marks the northern periphery of old Songkhla.  Photograph: Thomas Bird This unique cosmopolitanism is the product of commerce and conquest down the centuries. First established as the seat of the ancient Malay kingdom of Langkasuka, between the 10th and 14th centuries, Singora, ‘the lion city’ as it was known, emerged as an entrepot, attracting traders from India, Java, China and Persia. By the early 17th century, the Sultanate of Singora had taken shape, flourishing until 1680, when a protracted war with the Siamese saw the besieged city abandoned.    Under Siamese suzerainty, a settlement grew-up just across the strait from old Singora, which has subsequently thrived as a hub of fishing, attracting Chinese merchants to its bountiful shores.  Although Hat Yai has surpassed Songkhla in size and prestige, the provincial capital’s heritage and unique location on an isthmus between the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake, lend it a new lease of life as a tourist locale.

We were honoured when Time Out tapped us to curate this definitive guide to Bangkok’s best new bars. Our story is simple: what began as an after-work ritual of sharing drinks organically grew into the Paikapai (@paikapai.official), or ‘Let’s go!’ community. It started as a way to answer friends’ constant questions – ‘Where is that beautiful bar? Are the drinks any good?’ – and remains a way to share the places we genuinely love. Our process is just as organic. We don’t rely on insider tips; our main tool is our own two feet. We walk the city, pay attention to a corner of a soi under construction, and feel the buzz of something new. When it opens, we’re there as regular customers – first and foremost. Even our photography follows this ethos. We always order a drink first, soak in the atmosphere, and only when the artistic mood strikes do we capture the moments we love, simply on our phones. This isn’t a job for us – it’s our lifestyle. Every day brings a different mood, and for each one, a bar is often the answer. It’s in these spaces that we’ve learned the most, simply by observing the incredible ‘diversity’ of people. By watching the focused bartenders, the diligent staff, and the customers’ stories unfold, we’ve realised you’re never truly alone in a good bar. You’re surrounded by friends – some you know, and many you just haven’t met yet. So when assessing a bar for this list, we look beyond the menu. The primary criterion is the atmosphere – does it feel cosy? Is it a place you can truly relax? After that comes excellent cocktails and warm, genuine service, which tie the whole experience together. Right now, the city’s bar scene is electric. We’re seeing a wave of creativity, with bartenders championing local ingredients in Thai gin and rum, and pushing boundaries with cocktails like the unforgettable ‘Fossil Fuel’ at Wasteland. We’ve also seen how great bars can transform a neighbourhood – just look at Soi Nana in Yaowarat, which has blossomed into a global destination. We believe this energy comes from a core part of our identity: Thais love to gather, and when combined with the city’s cosmopolitan vibe, it creates a cocktail culture that’s truly world-class. It’s with this in mind – as observers, customers and lovers of this city – that we share our list. Let’s go! Want to know why these bars made the cut? A dedicated podcast drops in October. Subscribe to our new YouTube channel to be the first to know.

Time Out asked me to write a list of my favourite new cafes, and as I started to put it together, I found myself thinking back on how this all began. For the past eight years, my passion has been exploring Bangkok’s coffee scene. It started simply because I’ve always loved coffee. When I had a full-time job, I'd spend my weekends searching for interesting new cafes. Every time I discovered a place with delicious coffee or beautiful decor, I felt a spark of inspiration and didn't want to keep it to myself. Sharing those moments on Instagram became my way of documenting these small, joyful discoveries. It’s been my personal gallery, and I'm still amazed that so many people have followed along on this journey with me. Over the years, people have always asked me, ‘How do you find all these new cafes?’ There's no one answer. Back in the day, I was part of a group of ‘cafe hoppers,’ and we’d share new spots with each other. I'm also lucky to have friends in the design world who sometimes give me a heads-up about a new project they're working on. For everything else, it’s a mix of my own methods: scouring hashtags, checking my social media feeds, and sometimes, I just stumble upon a new place while I’m out exploring. Visiting so many places has taught me a lot. The most important lesson is that passion is an incredible source of energy. I love talking to baristas and owners, and in those conversations, I always see the dedication that drives them. Whether it’s their love for coffee, their meticulous attention to detail, or the sheer courage it takes to open a cafe in a city as competitive as Bangkok, that passion is what makes a place special. When I evaluate a cafe, the coffee always comes first. That’s the key factor that determines if I’ll go back. It's not just about a delicious flavour; I look at the creativity of the menu and the thought process behind the selection of beans. The ambiance comes second, because I truly believe that great coffee tastes even better in a great atmosphere. I've seen firsthand how a beautiful cafe can transform a neighborhood. The Song Wat area is a perfect example. It used to be a quiet, historic neighbourhood, but now, with over 20 cafes and more on the way, it's buzzing with life. These cafes have shone a spotlight on the area, drawing in new crowds, from young people to tourists. This small change has brought a new energy to the community, and it's inspiring to see. My photography is something I’m often asked about, but honestly, there's no fixed technique. I just feel a connection with a certain angle or moment and I take the shot. I try to capture a sense of naturalness and movement. I look for the perfect timing, like when the light hits the room just right, or a barista is pouring a perfect latte. I love warm, brown tones – they just feel right for cafes. My style is also heavily influenced by the movies I watch, especially the work of directors like Wes Anderson, whose use of symmetry and composition I find really inspiring. So what motivates me to keep exploring almost every day? It’s simple: I have fun. The city is always changing – the light, the colours, the mood of the people. And every time I discover a new corner or a new cafe, it feels like I've found a fresh burst of inspiration for my own life. Bangkok’s love for coffee isn't just a trend; it's a reflection of the city itself. In a place that’s often chaotic and stressful, a cafe is a small space to breathe. It’s a moment of simple happiness. A cafe isn't just a place to buy coffee; for many of us, it’s a safe space to work, read, meet friends, or just be alone with our thoughts. This love for cafes also speaks to a new generation's appreciation for quality and experience. We no longer just drink coffee; we choose it. We choose it based on the origin, the brewing method and the story of the cafe itself. And of course, social media plays a huge role. A beautiful cafe and a great cup of coffee have become a part of our lifestyle that we want to share. This has pushed cafe owners to pay even more attention to every detail – the lighting, the design, and the entire customer experience. I'm excited to share my list with you and hope you find as much joy in visiting these places as I did in discovering them.

The Museum Star 2025 awards have just been launched by the National Discovery Museum Institute to spotlight the venues that truly shine. The winners were chosen not just for their collections, but for their overall vibe – from excellent service to a truly unique and welcoming experience for guests. Only 10 pioneering Bangkok institutions made the inaugural list, giving them a well-deserved badge of excellence. Consider your next cultural outing sorted.  Here are 10 award-winning spots to check out now.

Finding a proper bagel in Bangkok used to be a real mission according to my dad and uncle, self proclaimed ‘bagel scholars’. Now they reckon ‘we're spoilt for choice’, which is great news! New York’s thick chewy bad boys and Montreal’s sweeter rings are everywhere now plus some wildcard geniuses doing Thai fusion.  The bagel situation escalated quickly. You’ve got the OGs who gambled on bagels when nobody even knew if Bangkok cared, the pandemic bakers who got a bit too into their lockdown hobby and never looked back and the Singaporean vets with battle-tested recipes. Here are all the bagel joints you knead to know.

Bangkok’s climbing scene is having a moment and the city’s walls are no longer reserved for hardcore climbers. With a new wave of urban bouldering gyms and sleek rope walls opening across the city, the sport’s appeal is clear: physical challenge, mental focus and a social vibe that spin classes can’t quite touch. Whether you’re a total noob looking for a weekend thrill, on the search for a quirky first date idea, or already chalking up for your next V6, there’s a gym out there for you.  

Planning Halloween already? It maybe a little early, but the nights are drawing in, the air feels cooler, and before long, the season’s most mischievous celebration will be upon us. Thailand may not have the same obsession with ghosts and ghouls as other countries, but Bangkok knows how to throw a night worth remembering.  Soon enough, downtown Bangkok will shift into a carnival of costumes, flickering lights and characters that seem plucked from another world. Streets, bars, galleries and rooftops will offer everything from quirky pop-ups to immersive experiences, leaving little excuse not to get involved. It’s never too early to start plotting your own night of mischief, assembling your coven, or deciding which haunted corners of the city you’ll explore. Looking for something strange, eerie or delightfully absurd? Time Out Bangkok has your back. While we might not carry proton packs, we know where the best thrills are hiding. From haunted bars and rooftop rituals to costume competitions and spooky markets, our ever-growing guide will keep you informed and entertained. By the time the last lanterns flicker and the city’s ghosts retreat, you’ll know that Bangkok’s Halloween is not just a night on the calendar – it’s a festival of mischief, style and just enough fright to make it unforgettable.

Halloween’s creeping up and the city’s got spooky activities lined up for this haunting season on every major soi (full lineup here). But before you reach for the witch’s hat or vampire cape, here’s a thought: why not dress up as Bangkok itself – its beloved faces, its everyday heroes, its homegrown icons? Bangkok has more personality in one street corner than most places have in their entire downtown. It’s colourful, unpredictable and iconic, so wear that energy on your sleeve, literally. Be the one at the party who thought outside the box, or in this case, outside Chatuchak’s costume stalls. Here’s some inspo to get you started: Tuk-tuk  Photograph: TAT Start strong with a local icon. Go DIY by grabbing a large cardboard box, paint it that unmistakable blue and red combo, strap it around your waist. Throw on a short-sleeved button-up (bonus points if it’s slightly faded) and you can optionally layer a vest over it to give that motorbike jacket energy. Khaki or dark blue work trousers keep it authentic. Maybe tuck a mini Bangkok map in your pocket. Finish with worn trainers or sandals and, really important, a neck towel for that ‘I’ve been driving all day’ effect. What you need: Cardboard box, blue and red paint, short-sleeved button-up (any colour, faded preferred), dark vest, khaki or navy work trousers, folded map, neck towel. If Thailand could win Best National Costume at Miss Universe 2015 with a tuk-tuk, we’re betting hard you’ll win best dressed at your Halloween party. Nanno from Girl from Nowhere   Photograph: Girl from Nowhere   Nanno’s unexpectedly became a global horror icon. She’s a Thai high schooler with mysterious powers who some say echoes Junji Ito’s Tomie, so short description: beautiful, manipulative and impossible to kill. The costume itself is easy and can be elevated to sexy. Button up a white shirt, tuck it into a navy or black pleated mini skirt and commit to the bangs and short hair (thick, blunt bangs need to be straight across) – fake it with a wig if you’re not ready for the chop. White knee-high socks, black Mary Janes and you’re there. Add a small bow or ribbon at the collar if you want that Thai school uniform accuracy. What you need: White button-up shirt, navy or black pleated mini skirt, blunt-bang bob wig (if needed), white knee-high socks, black Mary Jane shoes, optional bow. The real work is in the attitude: slow, haunting eye contact. Stand still when everyone else is moving. Walk up to someone in line for drinks and say, with a sweet smile, ‘Sawasdee ka, I’m Nanno. New here at the school. Please take care of me.’ Goosebumps guaranteed. Muay Thai fighter   Photograph: MU Thailand   This one’s been around the block, yeah. But you can still make it sexy, scary or both and call it yours. Wrap your hands in traditional white hand wraps (you can grab these from any sports store), tie on a mongkon headpiece (DIY it with rope and fabric if you need to) and get those satin Muay Thai shorts: red, blue or gold. Go shirtless or throw on a tiny tank top or sports bra, then add fake blood on your knuckles, lip, maybe a bruise under your eye for effect. Finish with ankle wraps. What you need: White hand wraps, mongkon headpiece (buy or DIY with rope/fabric/ribbon), satin Muay Thai shorts, tank top or sports bra, fake blood, bruise make-up, ankle support wraps. Fun fact: Thailand rocked this as their National Costume at Miss Universe 2021, so consider yourself in elite best-dressed territory. Lisa the rockstar   We’re recreating BLACKPINK’s Lisa at her most untouchable in her Rockstar music video, filmed in Bangkok’s Chinatown. You know the one with the famous verse ‘BKK so pretty!’ To pull the look, you’ll need low-rise or baggy straight-leg jeans, a metallic or sequinned star-shaped bra top (craft stores sell iron-on stars if you want to DIY one onto a sports bra) and plenty of hair gel for that wet, slicked-back ponytail. What you need: Baggy blue jeans (low-rise preferred), star-shaped crop top or metallic bra top with star appliqué, hair gel, silver chain necklaces and bracelets, bold black eyeliner, glossy lip gloss, silver or holographic accessories. Pile on those silver chains, go wild with the silver jewellery, add sparkle wherever you can fit it. Platform boots or chunky trainers seal the deal. Hong Thai inhaler View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Bangkok (@timeoutbangkok)   We all know it, we all love it. The little green stick that fixes everything from headaches to heartbreak. A cardboard tube (wrapping paper tube or poster tube) painted green with yellow accents works. Recreate the label with a marker: write ‘Hong Thai’ in bold letters and add the trademark details. Or wear all green clothing underneath (green dress, jumpsuit or matching set) and tie it together with a yellow belt or sash. Wear one on a chain as an accessory or fully commit and go as a giant inhaler (especially timely since the Hong Thai lady just went viral). What you need: Large cardboard tube, green and yellow paint or paper, markers for label details, all-green outfit (dress, jumpsuit or separates), yellow belt or sash, actual Hong Thai inhaler as accessory or the whole fit. Walk around offering to ‘help people breathe easier’. Instant conversation starter and everyone on Thai soil will get it. Moo Deng the pygmy hippo Photograph: SNL Pay tribute to Thailand’s most adorable celebrity. Dress head to toe in soft grey, so this one can be real comfortable (maybe even grey face paint if you’re feeling ambitious). Add rosy pink blush to your cheeks and go heavy with it. What you need: Grey sweatshirt or hoodie, grey sweatpants or leggings, grey beanie or hood, rosy pink blush (lots of it), grey face paint (optional), small ears made from felt or craft foam. The fits are easy to find now that she’s truly famous. Official merch from Khao Kheow Open Zoo includes hippo-patterned T-shirts, pyjamas, stickers and hats. Plus, the money supports the zoo and her friends, so it’s a win all round. Premika from Killer Karaoke Photograph: Killer Karaoke This one’s niche, but it’s fun, especially if you love karaoke culture. Premika’s look is easy: white button-up shirt, navy or black mini-skirt, white knee-high socks, black Mary Janes (basically a school uniform). But necessary is the bright red wig with thick bangs and a fake microphone covered in blood splatters. What you need: White button-up shirt, navy or black mini-skirt, white knee-high socks, black Mary Jane shoes, bright red wig with bangs, toy microphone, fake blood, pale make-up, dark under-eye circles. The backstory makes it even better. Premika dies in her school uniform and her spirit gets trapped in a karaoke machine. When someone plugs it in years later, she wakes up and she’s pissed. The vengeful ghost is determined to find her killer, knowing only one clue: they’re a terrible singer. So she begins a deadly singing test. Anyone who sings off-key or scores below 80? Death. It’s campy, it’s scary and if you can have an excuse to belt out a Thai classic mid-party, even better. The Hangover Part II crew Photograph: The Hangover Part II Perfect for a trio. Go as the crew who lost everything in Bangkok and somehow lived to tell the tale. Person one must go with a baby carrier with a stuffed monkey inside, Hawaiian shirt or casual button-up, cargo shorts, sunglasses and dishevelled hair. Person two will be in a striped polo shirt (wrinkled), khaki shorts, confused expression and one missing shoe if you’re committed. Person three wears a sleeveless tank top or ripped tee, fake face tattoo across the side of their face (use temporary tattoo paper or eyeliner), messy hair, sunglasses and a generally destroyed look. What you need (collectively): Baby carrier, stuffed monkey, button-up shirts, striped polo, cargo shorts, sunglasses for everyone, temporary tattoo supplies or face paint, optional sweat stain effects (water spray bottle plus dirt) and expressions of pure confusion. Add that universal ‘What happened last night?’ expression. Walk around asking random people if they’ve seen your friend Doug.

October arrived with a bit of rain, but Bangkok doesn’t really do dull seasons. The city thrives on contrast – traffic outside, white-walled calm within. It’s a place where art lives in every possible corner: vast museums with echoing halls, hidden rooms above coffee shops, galleries that look like they might collapse yet hold works that could floor you. If you want to be confused, delighted, unsettled or quietly moved, this city rarely disappoints. The variety is unruly. One evening you might stumble across a show where neon tubes light up the politics of migration, the next morning you’re staring at a centuries-old portrait that feels impossibly alive. There’s contemporary work that questions what it means to exist in a city like this, modernism reinterpreted for the present, and the occasional old master hanging with surprising confidence. What complicates things is choice. With new exhibitions opening constantly, picking where to spend an afternoon can feel like work in itself. So think of this less as a definitive guide and more as a starting point – a way to orient yourself in a city that refuses to stop making, showing and questioning through art, no matter the weather. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.   Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of top things to do this October. Whether you're a regular gallery-goer or just art-curious, these are Bangkok’s best spots to live the art life.   From alleyway masterpieces to paint-splashed corners you might walk past without noticing, here are our top spots to see street art.