Bangkok is one of the most inexpensive travel destinations in Southeast Asia. One of the things we love most about the city is the fact that travelling around is such great value. Bus fares often start from less than 10 baht, while the BTS Skytrain is one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get around the city.
You can enjoy a wide range of traditional performances without paying a single baht – while most places charge a rather hefty price, a few hidden spots organise Thai puppetry and dances for free. Compiled for budget travellers, discover our list of cheap and free things to do in Bangkok.
The art of Thai puppetry is a tradition that is slowly dying out, but the Artist House is one of the few places in Bangkok where you can still enjoy this unique show. Every day (except Wednesdays) at 2pm, this art gallery in Thonburi hosts a team manoeuvring the delicate puppets.
It’s a good idea to call in advance as the theatre sometimes performs in other parts of the city, usually during special events. The Artist’s House is also an unusual place to explore, with a 600-year-old stupa in the back garden and unusual life-size statues on the veranda.
Location: Soi 28, Wat Kuhasawan, Thonburi, Bangkok Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 868 5279
Lumpini Park is a large green space in central Bangkok, appealing to those who want to take a break from the city. You’ll see plenty of people enjoying light workouts, aerobics, and leisure activities throughout the day. There are plenty of sheltered niches where you could read, meditate or have a picnic. During the cool season (November to March), the park hosts free classical and jazz concerts by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra on Sundays.
Location: Rama IV Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 4.30 am to 9 pm
Wat Mahathat gives you a chance to experience the practices of meditation for free. Every day, the monks who live at the temple organise walk-in classes for both seated and walking meditation. It’s a very peaceful experience, with each session lasting for a few hours. While most classes are conducted in Thai, there are English-speaking monks to assist you.
Location: 3 Maha Rat Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 222 6011
At Terminal 21 Mall, each floor is themed around a city, including Tokyo, San Francisco, Paris and London. Naturally, there are lots of great photo opportunities, either in front of a large waving cat, next to a statue of a British policeman or on the edge of an Italian fountain. The bathrooms also have unique themes, so be sure to check them out as well.
Location: Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 108 0888
Rod Fai Market is an open-air train market on the eastern outskirts of Bangkok. Offering vintage goods and unusual second-hand objects, it’s an excellent place to spend an evening. Some of the shops have impressive displays of old goods, like retro Superman and Batman statues, dentist chairs and fairground rides. Old vintage cars dotting Rod Fai Market make for nice photo backdrops if you’re not planning to buy anything during your visit.
Location: 51 Srinagarindra Road, Nong Bon, Prawet, Bangkok 10250, Thailand
Open: Thursday–Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am (closed from Mondays to Wednesdays)
Phone: +66 (0)81 827 5885
It’s a bit of a surprise to find giant crocodiles resting in a small pond at Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan. Finding these scary creatures is a bit of a treasure hunt, but you’ll get to experience the bustling streets of Chinatown on the way. The aged temple is within a 5-minute walk of the famous Yaowarat Road. As you pass the main entrance, turn left and you’ll see the pond. Nearby, there’s a stuffed crocodile inside a dusty display case.
Location: Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
Pak Klong Talad is a 24-hour market selling so many flowers that you feel that you’ve stepped far away from the streets of Bangkok. Located in the Old Town, the best time to experience the action is around 4am when trucks and carts arrive from other parts of Thailand to unload piles of fresh flowers. If you just want to walk around the flower market, visit a little later in the morning to see hundreds of vendors creating wreaths and floral displays.
Location: Pak Klong Talad, Memorial Bridge to Khlong Lord, Chak Phet Rd, Bangkok, Thailand
Open: 24/7
Erawan Shrine in Bangkok attracts hundreds of people looking to pay their respects and make offerings throughout the day. The gold statue of Than Tao Mahaprom is surrounded by hundreds of yellow flowers and incense sticks. One of the highlights at this shrine, a troupe of Thai classical dancers performs graceful moves as thanks to the gods several times a day. You can enjoy the show for free, though try to stand at the side to make way for devotees praying to the central sculpture.
Location: Ratchadamri Rd, Lumphini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm