Cheap & new things to do in Bangkok 2022
Dear Bangkok, going through that 2-year LDR with you was just too painful, and boy, is our long-awaited reunion going to be an eventful one. But I see you’ve changed quite a bit since we last met, so it’s time we get reacquainted with some cheap and new things to do in Bangkok.
From a legit-looking Japanese village, to a pastel-coloured 2-storey indoor playground, here are some new places to go on your next trip over.
1. Jodd Fairs – Night market with 600 food stalls
Let’s just put it out there: you can’t really say you went to Bangkok if your trip didn’t include lots of street food and night market trawls. Well, market kakis can rejoice because the renowned Ratchada Train Night Market is back, and it’s been revamped into the spankin’ new Jodd Fairs.
Where do we even start with this? The night market occupies an entire carpark’s worth of space behind the Central Plaza Grand Rama 9 mall. That said, you’ll easily be able to spend an entire evening browsing through oodles of clothing and accessories stalls while fueling up with delicious grub in between.
Some foodie highlights you can suss out here include Mala BBQ skewers and Leng Saap which is basically a “mountain” of spicy pork. Heck, there are a whopping 600 food stalls that range from sit-down cafes to hawker stands, so it’s impossible to leave here feeling hungry.
Address: Rama IX Rd, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand
Opening hours: 11am-12am, Daily
Telephone: +66 92 713 5599
2. Sugar Rush – Whimsical dessert hall
Image credit: 515 Victory
Sugar Rush didn’t beat around the bush when it came up with this dessert hall concept. Not only does it house an array of dessert shops, but it’s also splashed head-to-toe in vibrant candy colours. It’s an extra treat that it’s easily accessible to all, being housed in the 515 Victory community space that’s right smack in the middle of the city.
Croissant Taiyaki (from ฿60,~S$2.45) and Holy Donut (from ฿55, ~S$2.24).
Image adapted from: 515 Victory, 515 Victory
Those with a sweet tooth will have no problem taming their cravings here. We hear there are tempting treats such as burnt marshmallows stuffed with ice cream, flaky and sweet stuffed mashups of croissants and Japanese taiyaki, as well as hearty milkshake frappes.
Image credit: @reindeer_ukrit
Address: 5, 15 Phaya Thai Road, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Opening hours: 11am-7pm, Daily
Telephone: +66 86 341 0740
3. 747 Cafe – Grab a meal in an “abandoned” plane
Image credit: @supachai_36
Okay, so travelling is finally back on the agenda after 1,821,739 years. But when will you ever get the chance to enter what was once the biggest plane in the world? Enter 747 Cafe, which has made its home in a retired Boeing 747.
Image credit: Finkuban
The airliner is 2 storeys tall, and you’ll find most of its structure still intact, such as the cockpit, reactors and windows.
Become a pilot for a day – or at least just pose like one in the cockpit.
Image credit: @jayziisys
Just like the flight you’ll be taking to BKK, you’ll be required to purchase a ticket (฿120, ~S$4.89) before entering the restaurant. Once in, browse the menu and pick from dishes starting from just ฿110 (~S$4.50) – you’ll even get a chance to snag a window seat to admire the view while enjoying your grub.
Address: 627 1 Luang Phaeng Road, Khwaeng Thap Yao, Khet Lat Krabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Telephone: +66 82 621 3520
4. Chill Out: Farm & Cafe – Mini “zoo” with animal feeding
Image credit: @chompu_taweesuk
Situated just 1.5 hours from central Bangkok is Chill Out: Farm & Cafe – a mini petting “zoo” where patrons can have some furry friends to keep them company through lunch. Suitable for young children and older visitors alike, Chill Out has animals from pigs, turtles, and goats to an aviary with free-flying parakeets.
Get some bird food or a plate of carrots for ฿20 (~S$0.20) to feed the animals here.
Image credit: @iamgiftnotgibnotgive, @ink_yarinda
Admission to the farm and cafe is free, and you can expect fresh farm-to-table dishes on the menu with prices from just ฿155 (~S$6.20). If you’re in the mood for some hearty Western fare, try their selection of soups, pasta and even ribs.
Address: Soi Suwinthawong 110, Khwaeng Krathum Rai, Khet Nong Chok, Bangkok 10530, Thailand
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Telephone: +66 83 222 6665
Chill Out: Farm & Cafe Facebook
5. Little Sheep Kids Cafe – 2-storey playground for families
Image credit: @ryuna0436
Those with kids can relate: if you’re going to let the little one play to their hearts out, you might as well go big or go home. That said, your kiddos will have a whopping 2 storeys of play areas to expend every ounce of energy at Little Sheep Kids Cafe.
Image credit: Little sheep kids cafe
Not only does it have a set of slides that go down from the 2nd level and into a pastel-coloured ball pit; but it also has netted walkways the kids can roll all over, plus masak-masak stations and padded spots to climb and bounce around.
Image credit: Little sheep kids cafe
Meanwhile, parents can have a chit chat over a selection of cakes, or for those a little more famished, an array of Western fare (from ฿80, ~S$3.26) such as cream pasta and chicken chop. Admission starts from ฿480/child (~S$19.56) and ฿120/adult (~S$4.89).
Address: 401/2 Nong Khang Phlu, Nong Khaem, Bangkok 10160, Thailand
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Telephone: +66 93 353 6356
Little Sheep Kids Cafe website
6. Benjakitti Forest Park – Slice of nature in the city
Image credit: @benz.wanlop
Singaporeans are suckers for a good green spot, and Benjakitti Forest Park won’t disappoint. Boasting a fresh new revamp, Benjakitti Park is known as one of Bangkok’s biggest parks, so be sure to head down for a peaceful stroll to wind down after all that shopping.
The “amphitheatre” area makes for a pretty good photo spot.
Image credit: @saifah_watchara
Around the park, you’ll find a manmade “swamp”, cycling tracks and seating areas, all with Bangkok’s sparkly cityscape in the background. The park is also conveniently located near 3 train stations within the city centre, making it a breeze to get to: Sukhumvit MRT, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT and Asok BTS.
Admission: Free
Address: Ratchadaphisek Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Opening hours: 5am-9pm, Daily
7. Bang Kachao – Go cycling at Bangkok’s green lung
Image credit: @atzdelahoz
Bang Kachao who? It might not be new, but ask most Singaporeans if they’ve heard of it, and the answer will probably be a resounding no. Unbeknownst to many tourists is Bangkok’s green lung – a lush foresty expanse on the other side of the Chao Phraya river.
They’ve also got other activities like stand up paddle boarding!
Image credit: @supbangkrachao
Bang Kachao has a national park and botanical garden to explore within, and the best way to get around is defo by hopping on a bicycle. The “island” has bike rentals for cheap, with prices starting from ~฿40 (~S$1.60) for adults and ~฿20 (~S$0.80) for kids.
Image credit: @Heart2Feet
Besides vibin’ out in nature, there are plenty of other things to do here. If you’re feeling peckish, head over to cafes like The Ozone Bangkrajao for a quick pick-me-up. It even has a wooden platform and floating nets to snap some IG pics at.
There’s also Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market, with local vendors selling gifts like herbal incense and handicrafts to buy and remember your trip by.
Getting here: Take the train to Bang Na BTS station. Then, take a taxi to Wat Bang Na Nok, where you can hop on a 10-minute ferry ride (~฿4, ~S$0.16) to Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok pier.
8. Harajuku Thailand – Japanese-themed village
Image credit: Happy หนีเที่ยว
If we told you this place was in Japan itself, you’d probably have no trouble believing us. Of course, the name Harajuku Thailand is a dead giveaway, but that ain’t a bad thing, considering it’s just an hour’s drive from Bangkok.
Image credit: Harajuku Thailand
Old-world wooden storefronts and shrines? Check. Lanterns and sakura blossoms? Check. Yummy grub and souvenir shopping? Cheeeck! Guys and gals alike can even rent a yukata here to get dolled up and churn out those enviable TikToks.
Image credit: Harajuku Thailand
Ambience aside, save room in your tummy for lots of Japanese fare; you’ll be able to find all your faves here, from crunchy katsus and corndogs, to satisfying sashimi bowls, spongy cakes, and everything in between.
Image credit: Harajuku Thailand
Address: 47 Suwinthawong Road, Krathum Rai, Nong Chok, Bangkok 10530, Thailand
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 10am-10pm | Mon-Thu 10.30am-9am
Telephone: +66 96 252 2592
Travel to Bangkok in 2022
If you miss this vibrant city as much as we do, these cheap and new things to do in Bangkok will be the refreshing cherry on top of the icing for your next trip over. And while we never fail to welcome affordable vacays with open arms, here’s another way to enjoy the experience without having to fork out as much:
Singha’s beer promo is giving beer-loving folks a chance to win a 5D4N trip to Bangkok for 2 that’s worth a whopping $2,000. You’ll not only get to stay at the 5-star Emporium Suites by Chatrium, but you’ll also travel there in style on a Singapore Airlines flight. Plus, your Bangkok PCR tests will be fully covered.
All you have to do is get yourself a 6-pack of 320ml cans of Singha beer from now till 30th April 2022. You may soon be gorging on legit Thai food and going on a ‘Gram spam in Bangkok before you know it.
Find out how to win a 5D4N trip to Bangkok here
This post was brought to you by Singha.
Article co-written by Ra Krishnan & Jessica Fang.
Cover image adapted from: Happy หนีเที่ยว, 515 Victory
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