Exploring Bangkok on a Budget: 10 Free Things to Do

As the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok has become a destination for many tourists from various countries. Apart from being budget-friendly, Bangkok does have a lot to offer. From enjoying delicious cuisines to visiting unique cultural buildings. And many more!

If you plan to visit Bangkok in the near future and want to save some cash, here are 10 FREE things you can do.

1) Strolling Around at Benjakitti Park

If you're a fan of nature and green spaces, Benjakitti Park should be at the top of your list. This massive public park, spanning 180 acres, is home to a picturesque artificial lake with breathtaking views of the city skyline, a lush city forest, jogging paths, and a 2 km skywalk that is said to be the longest in the world.

Open every day from 5 am to 9 pm, this park is a popular destination for locals and expats looking to take a jog, walk with their kids, or ride their bikes. If you don't have your own bike, you can rent one for just 40 baht per hour. And good news for dog owners, this park has officially opened a dog zone since September 2022.

As a tourist, you can take a leisurely stroll on the skywalk, breathing in the fresh morning air, or simply relax on a park bench and take in the stunning views of the lake and skyline. You can also have a cozy picnic on the grass with your friends, family, or significant other, or even take a romantic swan boat ride or paddle on the lake for 40 baht per hour.

The park is also an ideal spot to visit during the golden hour or evening, as the reflection of the city's building lights on the lake creates a romantic atmosphere. Couples will particularly enjoy this setting. Plus the installed lights along the skywalk adds to the beauty at night.

Located in the Khlong Toei District of central Bangkok, near the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Benjakitti Park is easily accessible by public transport. It's just a 10 minute walk from the Sukhumvit MRT Station and a 20 minute walk from the Asoke BTS Station.

2) Visit Bangkok Art Culture Center

Bangkok Art Culture Centre (BACC) is a contemporary art center that showcases a wide range of arts, such as paintings, photos, music, theater, and cultural performances. Located in the center of Bangkok and surrounded by shopping centers like MBK, Siam Paragon, and Central World, BACC could be the best option for your short stay in Bangkok.

The building is a masterpiece of modern architecture with its all-white walls and spiral walkways on the 7th to 9th floors. The 1st floor is a multipurpose space. On the 2nd - 5th floor, there is a curved wall for painting exhibitions, some unique souvenir shops, and cafes. The studio is on the 4th floor, and the auditorium is on the 5th floor. Meanwhile, the main gallery is on the 7th - 9th floors, and each has two gallery rooms with different colors. For easy access, this building is equipped with escalators and elevators.

The exhibitions usually last for days or even months. Most of them are paintings, photographs, and sculptures from local and international artists. The best collections are displayed in the main gallery. To stay updated about the current or upcoming exhibitions, you can open the BACC official website.

BACC is open throughout the week from 10 AM to 8 PM except on Monday, New Year, and Songkran's holidays. The visitors are primarily local students and only a few international tourists. Each exhibition provides an explanation in English, and the staff speaks English pretty well. So, as an international tourist, you won't find any difficulties enjoying the exhibitions.

Please note that video recording, tripods, selfie sticks, and camera flashes are not allowed in the main gallery, nor are food and drinks. You can leave these items at the deposit counter in front of the escalator on the 7th floor. Once you enter the gallery, keep your hands to yourself. Don't touch any art or cross the borderline.

As it's located in the center of Bangkok, it's pretty easy to reach. You can take BTS Skytrain to National Stadium Station and exit through Exit 3. Walk on the Skybridge, and you'll arrive the 3rd floor entrance of BACC.

3) Enjoy Street Performances at Siam Square Walking Street

If you're looking for a fun and fashionable way to spend your weekend in Bangkok, look no further than Siam Square Walking Street. Located just a short distance from the Siam Square One Shopping Mall, this area has been transformed into a car-free pedestrian paradise every Friday through Sunday since May 20th, 2022.

As the afternoon wears on, the street becomes crowded with fashionable young people enjoying a variety of street performances, including high school and university student bands, dance covers, and cultural performances. You might even catch a performance from a local celebrity if you're lucky!

But the fun doesn't stop there. At the end of the street, you'll find the Boho Market, where you can shop for trendy yet affordable clothes, accessories, and souvenirs. If you're a foodie, you can also explore a wide variety of delicious treats at the food stall area.

The easiest way to reach this walking street is by taking the BTS Skytrain to Siam Station since it's only around 100 meters from Siam Square.

4) Visit Asiatique Riverfront Night Market.

You may have lost count of how many night markets there are in Bangkok. But Asiatique Riverfront is totally worth visiting as it is the first open-air night market in Bangkok that combines shopping, dining, sightseeing, shows, and other entertainment in one area.

With a total area of 12 acres, this night market has something for everyone. For you shopaholics, there are over 1,500 shops selling a wide range of products, starting from up-to-date clothes, handicrafts, accessories, merchandise, home decorations, etc. at affordable prices. If you're more of a food explorer, there are more than enough options to try, starting from affordable local cuisines, exotic fruits, and local desserts like the famous Mango Sticky Rice to international cuisines. If you just want to chill without spending any penny, go to the riverside, take some cool pictures with the Chao Praya River as the background or enjoy the sunset view while sitting on the bench.

For those who visit with family, watching spectacular shows like Calypso Cabaret, Muay Thai Live Performance, and Thai Puppet Theather might be the best option. For a more fun experience, you can also take a night Ferries Wheel ride with amazing views or have fun on the Grand Carousel.

If you are looking for an exclusive luxury experience with your romantic partner, you should try to go on the Sirimahannop Tall Ship. This huge sailing ship floating right on the riverside gives a whole different level of experience. It has a fancy restaurant, bar, and museum. Imagine celebrating your special day on this ship while having a fancy dinner and watching the sunset. Perfect set, right?!

Asiatique Night Market is open daily from 5 pm to 12 am. So, you have more than enough time to explore all activities it has to offer.

It's located in the Bang Kho Laem district. The best and cheapest way to get there is by taking BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, then take a free shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin dock. The boat is operating every 15 minutes from 5 pm to 11.30 pm.

5) Shop Till Drop at Platinum Fashion Mall

Be ready to get rid of your old wardrobe. Because as you enter Platinum Fashion Mall, you'll come out with a bunch of new clothes. Don't worry about the drain wallet though, because the price is very much affordable.

With a total of 4 floors of shopping areas, this mall has all your fashion needs from head to toe, starting from clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, and many more. And they always keep up with the latest trends. Most shops sell women's clothing. But you can still find a few shops for men and kids.

Open from 9 am to 8 pm, this mall is visited by more than 30,000 visitors every day. Most of the shops are wholesale. So, if you buy three pieces or more, you'll get a special price.

Be prepared because this building can get way too crowded sometimes. You will find some shoppers taking pictures and even doing Live on their social media right in front of the store. They are buyers from other Southeast Asian countries who sell these clothes in their home countries.

The seller can speak English quite well. So, don't worry about getting lost in translation. They usually offer a fixed price. So, don't try to bargain too hard if you don't want to be ignored or yelled at. Well, if you still want to try, do it at your own risk.

Platinum Fashion Mall is located at the center of the Pratunam area. The best way to get there is by taking BTS Skytrain to Ratchathewi or Chidlom BTS Skytrain and then walk around 10 minutes to the building.

6) Try Thai Tasty Foods at Chinatown Night Market

Another must-visit night market in Bangkok, especially if you are a foodie.

Located in the Yaowarat neighborhood, the Chinatown night market offers a different vibe than most places in Bangkok. As soon as the sun sets, the streets come alive with the Chinese character neon lights, the hissing of hot woks, the smell of spicy Thai food, and the sight of colorful shops that give vibrant vibes.

This place is a treasure for food explorers, especially a fans of Asian cuisines. You'll find a wide range of delicious street foods, like noodles, dimsum, famous Thai foods like Tomyam, any kind of seafood, local desserts like Mango Sticky Rice and Coconut Ice Cream, exotic fruits, and much more. Not only foods, you'll also find stalls that sell unique crafts, souvenirs, Chinese medicine, and etc.

It's open from 4 pm to 12 am, but the road started to get crowded around 5 pm. If you don't want to be stuck in the traffic, you better take MRT to Wat Mangkon Station and walk around 5 minutes to Yaowarat Road.

7) Enjoy The Largest Mall in Bangkok, ICONSIAM

Since its opening in 2018, Siam Icon has become the largest mall in Bangkok. It's located in Khlong San District near the Chao Phraya river. Consisting of 10 floors with a 525k m2 total area, this mall has every thing you need. Dining, cinema, shopping, best city view, and much more.

On the ground floor, there is a food court called Sook Siam with a typical Thai-style interior and a floating market. It enhances your experience of enjoying delicious Thai food without the heat and dust on the street. Some stalls also sell souvenirs, art, and many more.

For you luxury shoppers, the first floor is probably your favorite. It is a house for high-end stores, like Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dior, Cartier, etc.

If you're an art lover, go visit the Icon Craft section on the 4th and 5th floor. It's featuring the best Thai artworks. Not only that, but the mall also has River Museum Bangkok on the 8th floor. It's featuring Thai artifacts and international-scale artworks and also exhibitions from artists all over the world.

You can also enjoy the best view of skyscrapers for free in River Park. As the name suggests, it's located on the first floor next to Chao Praya river. The view gets better at night.

8) Breath Fresh Morning Air at Lumpini Park

If you want to get some fresh air in the middle of the bustle and crowded city of Bangkok, then Lumpini Park is one of the best options for you.

With a total area of 142 acres, this park has a lot to offer, starting from the greenery, large lake, and wide range of outdoor activities.

Opens every day from 4:30 am to 10 pm, this park has become a favorite of locals and ex-pats to do their morning activities. A long jogging path for walking, running or riding a bicycle. Please note that bicycle is only allowed from 10 am to 3 pm and dogs are not allowed in the park.

This park also offers an outdoor gym that you can use for free. Sometimes there are group activities like aerobics, yoga, and exercise, especially for the elderly.

If you want no-sweat activities, you can simply chill on the park chairs by the lake. Or have a cozy picnic and enjoy the fresh air or watch the sunset and city view across the lake with your loved ones. Please note that smoking and alcohol are not allowed anywhere in the park. You can also rent a paddle and go paddling on the lake.

This park is located in central Bangkok, so it's pretty easy to reach. You can take MRT to Silom Station and walk around 5 minutes to the southwestern gate. You can also take MRT to Lumpini Station and enter the park through the southeastern gate. The other option is to take BTS Skytrain to Sale Daeng Station and walk around 10 minutes to the southwestern gate.

9) Take Cool Pictures at Ong Ang Canal Walking Street

Ong Ang Canal is calling out those Instagram babies. Are you one of them?

Since being cleaned and modernized in 2015, Ong Ang Canal has become a must-visit spot in Bangkok. It's like a street art exhibition where the walls are covered in historically rich murals painted by local artists. It's one of the best places to take Instagram-worthy pictures with murals as background.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 pm to 10 pm this walking street turns into a night weekend market where many stalls sell various foods, accessories, and souvenirs. You can also enjoy live music, street performers, people-watching, or just chilling with your friends, partner, or family.

Going on a boat ride or paddling on the canal is another unique way to enjoy the atmosphere of this walking street.

This canal is located between Chinatown and Phahurat. You can take MRT to Sam Yot Station and walk around 5 minutes to the canal. I would say this area is safe but just mind your belongings.

10) Shop at Chatuchack Weekend Market

Chatuchak weekend market is one of the largest open space markets in the world. With a total area of 35 acres, you can literally find anything in this market. Over 10,000 stalls sell a wide range of products, starting from clothes, any kind of accessories, vintage furniture, arts, souvenirs, and even pets. And yes, it's all at a good price. You can definitely bargain but don't go too harsh. Unless you buy in large quantities.

Basically, this market is open from Wednesday to Sunday. However, different days open different parts. On Wednesday and Thursday, it is open from 7 am to 6 pm but only for the plants' section. Meanwhile, on Friday it's open only at night from 6 pm to 12 pm for wholesale only. All sections are fully open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Maybe that's why it's called the Chatuchak weekend market.

The easiest way to get there is by taking MRT to Chatuchak Park Station. Then get off at Exit 1. The market is only 5 minutes away. Or you can take BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit Station. From Exit 1, you only need to walk around 5 minutes to entrance 3. You can also get a free map to easily explore the market.