Bangkok — the capital of Thailand and also the party, drinking and shopping destination of choice in Asia for scores of tourists. While first timers to the beach and cultural paradise would want to check out tried-and-tested tourist hotspots such as Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), World War II American spy Jim Johnson's House, the Grand Palace, along with taking in a cruise on the Chao Phraya River, we recommend you try these 5 off-beat places to visit in Bangkok on the sidelines of IIFA 2018 in Thailand.
IIFA 2018, now in its 19th edition, is underway in Bangkok at Siam Niramit Theatre, one of the most spectacular venues in the country and also the world. The theatre has been awarded the Guinness World Record for featuring the highest stage in the world - and that's a mighty height from which our Bollywood brigade will perform and regale the audiences at IIFA 2018. This is only the second time that the awards ceremony is being held in Bangkok; the last time it was held in the city was in 2008 at Siam Paragon, the sixth largest mall in Thailand.
1. Bang Krachao | Off-beat Travel Destination in Bangkok
Lumpini Park in Bangkok was built as a site to offer respite from the ceaseless noise and energy of the streets. However, sandwiched between Silom and the shopping mecca of Siam, Lumpini park is now struggling to hold on to its signature serenity. Bang Krachao is one of the city's green lungs, which patrons should look at as an alternative to Lumpini Park. Located just 5 km south of Lumpini, this dense, green, jungle-draped area is enchanting with a canopy of trees and lovely lakes. Amid the thick forests and mangroves of Bang Krachao hide many hamlets, temples and local markets. Built out of a network of concrete pathways, perfect for cycling and walking through the lush space, Bang Krachao provides avenues for exercise and unwinding. Bird-watchers can find exotic birds nestled in the mangroves here. Bicycles can be hired at $5 and the nearby Bang nam Pheung floating market is just a short ride away. Head here to gobble some delicious Thai sweets and roam around the weekend markets at a relaxed pace.
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2. Ayutthaya | Off-beat Travel Destination in Bangkok
Just an hour away from the heart of Bangkok lies a beautiful UNESCO site that not many travellers know about. Ayutthaya is a glorious old city, which now houses the archaeological ruins of the ancient city. The vast array of temples and Buddha statues here are fascinating and the site makes for a great one-day trip from the Thai capital. Buddhas draped in orange sashes, sky-high prangs and Buddhist monasteries of monumental proportions are dotted all across the city. Ayutthaya was once an important connecting point between the East and West. Temples such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Lokaya Sutha, Wat Panan Choeng, Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, Ayutthaya Historical Park, and the Wat Phra Mahathat are the magnificent architectural spectacles one must see here. One of the most photographed spots in Ayutthaya is the large stone Buddha head set in a gigantic tree at the Wat Phra Mahathat. The beauty of this Siamese centre is breathtaking and little cafes sprinkled around the temple trails make for an interesting and off-beat travel attraction in Bangkok.
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3. Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine: The Penis Shrine | Off-beat Travel Destination in Bangkok
Tucked away discreetly less than 100 m from the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel in Bangkok is the rarest of sights you will ever witness in Bangkok or anywhere else in the world. Over a 100 phallus statues at the Chao Mae Tuptim Shrine are visited by women from all over Thailand to worship in the hope of good luck and fertility. Approaching the shrine, one can see the raised wooden spirit house decked with garlands of fresh jasmine and marigolds while the humid air hangs heavy with the fragrance of incense. No matter where you look, you'll find a range of designs, colours and sizes of the lingams all around you. This site in Bangkok is definitely off-the-beaten-track and deserves more footfall.
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4. Ko Kret | Off-beat Travel Destination in Bangkok
Located 20 km north of Bangkok, the island of Ko Kret is a doorway into the enigmatic tribal community of Thailand. The island secludes centuries-old temples and is home to a native community that shows excellent craftsmanship in clay wares. The Ko Kret countryside houses the Wat Poramaiyikawas which is a sacred pilgrimage site that symbolizes the Mon ancestry. The Buddhist monastery is a stunning ancient architectural marvel that is marked by a gleaming white stupa. The temple is adjacent to the weekend market set up here which features a long series of stalls and shops by the river that sell clothes, handicrafts, snacks and locally made hand-moulded pottery and ceramic products. This 4 sq km island is the city's greatest hidden gem and feels like it's miles away from the chaos of the Chao Phraya in central Bangkok. It is an authentic place that provides an insight into rural Thai lifestyles, one that is not available anywhere else in Bangkok.
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5. Pak Khlong Talat — Flower Market | Off-beat Travel Destination in Bangkok
Pak Khlong Talat, or ‘the market at the mouth of the canal,' is the best place in all of Thailand to go flower shopping and enrich your olfactory senses. An explosion of colours and scents, this flower market witnesses women creating flower garlands, wreaths and bouquets. Pak Khlong Talad stretches across the Chak Phet Road near the Memorial Bridge and is the biggest wholesale market in the city. This is not only an offbeat tourist attraction, but also the best way to experience the round-the-clock bustle of an authentic Bangkok market. Fruit and vegetables are also sold here and the ambience is a feast for the senses. Dazzling yellow chrysanthemums by the thousands are bunched up next to purple orchids. In the side-streets, chillies form a fiery traffic light of colour with red, amber and green filling table-tops and overflowing onto pavements. Chrysanthemums are amongst the best sellers here since these flowers are used on a daily basis in Buddhism and found at temples and shrines throughout Thailand. The street food here is highly recommended and the place can be visited any time of the day.
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