13 Bangkok Day Trips and Hidden Gems
Bangkok Whale Watching and Wildlife
When most people think of Bangkok, they think of temples, tuk tuks, and ping pong shows. But with just a short drive, you can find amazing beaches, deep jungles, and stunning waterfalls. Bangkok is not particularly known for its wildlife, but there are a few opportunities to catch a glimpse of some amazing animals.
In the centre of the city, you can head to Lumphini Park, which is home to hundreds of monitor lizards. But if you really want a unique experience, you only need to head about an hour out of the city centre to see some of the most fascinating sights in the country. The best time to go is between September and December, when the whales follow huge schools of fish up the coastline.
These are Bryde’s whales, and they’re absolutely enormous, growing up to about 15 metres long and weighing up to 40 tonnes. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see them emerge vertically from the water as they catch mouthfuls of fish. Make sure you book with an ethical company that prioritises whale safety. The good tours keep a respectful distance and let the whales come to you, which makes it even better.
Thonburi Canals and Artists House
Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the East, a city crisscrossed by canals instead of highways. Even today, if you head across the Chao Phraya River, you can still catch a glimpse of what the city was like in the past. In the Thonburi district, there’s a vibrant canal community that still thrives, offering a lifestyle that feels worlds away from the chaos of the downtown areas.
One of the most awe inspiring sites here is Wat Paknam, with a towering golden Buddha and enormous stupa rising above the canal. This is one of the most picturesque temples in the whole city, and it’s still far less crowded than central temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
This whole area is known as the Bangkok Yai Canal, and it’s one of the most beautiful and unique parts of the city. As your boat glides through the waterways, you’ll pass traditional teakwood houses on stilts, local markets, and ornate temples. It’s like a snapshot of Bangkok from about 100 years ago, apart from the noisy longtail boats.
Nothing represents this snapshot of old Bangkok better than the next item on the list. Hidden on the banks of the Bangkok Yai Canal is a 200 year old wooden house known as the Artist’s House. It feels like stepping back in time, with colourful lanterns hanging along the walkways and a cosy, artsy vibe far away from areas like Khao San Road or Sukhumvit. The Artist’s House functions as an art gallery, coffee shop, and DIY art class. You’ll find local artists selling paintings and handicrafts, and you can sit and admire them as they put together paintings of the canal and city life. If you visit at the right time, you can even see traditional puppet shows. You can also try painting, drawing, or making your own jewellery from a collection of gemstones, with experts nearby to show you how. This is the kind of coffee shop where you can spend much longer than planned, sipping coffee, watching boats go by, and seeing a side of Bangkok that most people never see.
Erawan Falls and Khao Yai National Park
After soaking up the canal life, it’s time for something more adventurous. If you’re willing to go on a real adventure, you can swap busy Bangkok streets for jungle paths and towering skyscrapers for cascading waterfalls. One of Southeast Asia’s most stunning natural landmarks lies just a few hours’ drive from the city. Personally, I think this is the best waterfall that I’ve ever been to.
First of all, it’s not just one waterfall. It’s a series of waterfalls, so it’s not like you sit and pose for a picture by one waterfall and then you’re done. You can take your time to hike up and explore different trails. There are seven falls in total, each with its own distinct beauty, and the stunning emerald colour is unlike anything I’ve seen on another waterfall. Each waterfall has a natural swimming pool at its foot, making it the perfect place to cool off in a jungle setting.
This is called Erawan Falls, and it’s about a three hour drive from Bangkok. It is the furthest item on the list, but tours run to and from Erawan from the city daily.
Another real jungle experience is just a two hour drive from the city. In Khao Yai National Park, you can find yourself surrounded by bears, wild elephants, snakes, and monkeys. It’s not uncommon to see huge hornbills flying overhead, gibbons swinging between the trees, or entire families of macaques hanging out by the roadside. There are powerful waterfalls tucked away within the jungle, stunning viewpoints over the rainforest, and hiking trails where guides help you learn about the local wildlife. It’s possible to spend the night in glamping locations with amazing forest views and a better chance to spot wild elephants. This is an absolute must visit if you want a real jungle experience without flying halfway across the country.
Maeklong Railway and Floating Markets
After a day in the jungle, we’re heading back to Bangkok. About 90 minutes outside the city is one of the wildest local markets you’ll ever see, not because of what they sell but because of how they sell it. This is the Maeklong Railway Market, where shoppers and speeding trains share the same track.
Most of the time it looks like a normal market, with colourful stalls and vendors selling their goods. Then the horn blows, and in seconds vendors pull back their umbrellas, fold up the tables, and drag baskets off the track to let the train pass through the middle, clearing the stalls by what looks like inches. The train passes right by your face, so make sure you have enough room. Just as quickly as it came, it’s gone, the stalls snap back into place, and the bargaining resumes.
Make sure you check the train schedule before you go. The trains pass through the market four times per day, so you need to time your visit right. For the best view without risking your life, get there about 15 minutes before the train arrives.
You can pair the train market with another iconic market. Some floating markets have become overcrowded tourist traps, especially Damnoen Saduak Market. Luckily, there’s a more local floating market a short drive away from the train tracks. This one still feels traditional, with fresh seafood, coconut desserts, and noodles cooked in small paddle boats. It comes alive in the late afternoon, when you can sit by the canal with a beer and a snack, and after dark you can take a small boat tour into quieter canals to see fireflies. This floating market is known as Amphawa Floating Market and it’s only a 15 minute drive from the train market. Unlike Damnoen Saduak, it’s open only on weekends, from Friday to Sunday.
Chachoengsao Temples and the Heavenly Cult Site
If you think you’ve seen every kind of temple in Thailand, think again. About 90 minutes east of Bangkok, Chachoengsao Province is home to some of the most creative and unexpected temples in the country, with a mashup of Hindu, Buddhist, and surreal design choices. There are minimal crowds and very few foreign tourists.
Probably the wildest sight is the stop at Wat Saman Rattanaram, which is home to a huge pink three headed elephant named Erawan. It is over 16 metres tall and painted bubblegum pink, with extra limbs holding symbolic objects that add to the dreamlike atmosphere. The temple grounds feel like a spiritual theme park, with shrines, Ganesha statues, and food stalls.
The next stop takes a strange turn into one of Thailand’s most bizarre and forgotten stories. Back in the 1970s, a Buddhist sect with an ambitious vision to unite the world’s religions on a remote mountaintop in Ratchaburi, about 90 minutes from Bangkok, built massive statues honouring Buddha, Hindu gods, and surprisingly Jesus. The movement was later dubbed the Heavenly Cult. It didn’t last long, though. The government shut it down over suspected communist ties and the site was abandoned. The statues are still there, weathered and overgrown, making for an eerie and weird hike.
Nearby are stunning mountains with towering limestone cliffs and scenic bridges over the lakes. This is called Khao Ngu Stone Park, and it makes for an easy hike with dramatic landscapes. You can wander along the wooden walkways, which are flat and easy to explore. It’s the perfect nature escape if you don’t feel like driving for hours to get out of the city, and it’s only about a 20 minute drive from the Heavenly Cult.
River Kwai History and Jungle Hotels
The River Kwai flows wide and calm through the lush jungle, but during World War II, this was the site of one of Thailand’s darkest chapters. Thousands of Allied prisoners of war and forced labourers were brought here to build a railway under brutal conditions in what became known as the Death Railway.
The bridge you see today, made famous by the film The Bridge on the River Kwai, still stands. You can walk across it and ride the train over the original tracks. If you want to pay your respects or learn more about the tragedies that occurred here, you can visit the JEATH War Museum or the cemetery nearby.
The area around the river is absolutely stunning. You can ride on the historic Death Railway through the mountains, visit hidden cave temples, or take in the lush jungle scenery. If you decide to stay overnight, there are excellent options such as floating hotels on the river, where you can spend the day swimming, relaxing, and watching the jungle drift by. It’s about a two and a half hour drive from Bangkok, making it perfect for either a day trip or a relaxed overnight trip.
Bang Krachao Koh Kret and Koh Larn Escapes
You don’t even have to leave Bangkok to escape the chaos. Just a short boat ride across the Chao Phraya River, and suddenly you’re in a completely different world. There’s no traffic or skyscrapers, just jungle paths, birdsong, and quiet canals. This is Bang Krachao, often called Bangkok’s Green Lung, and it’s one of the best places to unwind without going far.
You can rent a bicycle for a few Thai Baht and cruise along raised paths through the banana plantations. Stop at hidden coffee shops, explore temples tucked in the trees, and, if you’re there on the weekend, visit a floating market. This is one of the most peaceful places in Bangkok and it’s really easy to get to.
If you’re still not ready to dive back into Bangkok’s traffic and towers, there’s one more escape just up river. Koh Kret is a peaceful island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River where there are no cars and no chaos. You can rent bicycles and check out the weekend marketplace, which is one of the best in Thailand. This is a much slower paced version of Bangkok that hasn’t changed in generations.
The island is home to the traditional Mon community. These people are known for their handmade pottery, and you can watch artisans spin clay and make their own pottery. The streets are lined with food stalls, and there are hidden temples to explore. To get there, head up the river to the Nonthaburi boat station and catch a longtail boat. Even getting there is an adventure as you sail down the Chao Phraya River.
If you’re looking to experience Thailand’s tropical islands without flying to Koh Samui or Phuket, Koh Larn is a must visit. The closest beach town to Bangkok is Pattaya, about an hour and a half away, but the beaches in Pattaya aren’t that nice in my opinion, and it isn’t a hidden gem. A short boat ride from Pattaya takes you to soft white sands and turquoise water. Koh Larn feels like you’re 100 miles away from Bangkok, even though it’s only a day trip away. The island has lively beaches with bars and jet skis, as well as quiet beaches where you can wander mostly by yourself. You can rent a motorbike, move between beaches, get seafood on the water, or find a shady spot and have a couple of beers. It’s one of the easiest and most relaxing escapes from Bangkok.
