Bangkok’s newest attraction has 540 smells – including whale vomit

Walk into Karmakamet’s Erawan branch and the usual perfume-counter script goes out the window. There is no talk of top notes or dry-downs; instead a wall holds 540 smells gathered from around the world. Some are familiar, many are bizarre and a few may prove impossible to unsmell.

Among them are baby skin, cat urine, whale vomit, dog fur, beaver musk, banknotes and medical equipment. The scents are grouped by gender and ethnicity – an unusual curatorial choice for what is, technically, a quick mall detour. Some are instantly recognisable; others may have you checking the label twice.

SCENTORIUM is more than a sniff-and-shrug exercise. A short personality quiz generates a scent profile, then sends you searching among all 540 smells for your match.

Where: Karmakamet Erawan, Erawan Bangkok

When: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-6pm

Cost: Free entry

Booking: Required in advance via karmakamet.co.th/en/scentorium

More info: @karmakamet on Instagram