Bangkok Rainy Day Guide: Best Indoor Activities
What to Do in Bangkok When it Rains?
Bangkok can be full of surprises, even when it rains and the skies are gray. From energetic activities to hands-on experiences, there’s no shortage of ways to stay busy while keeping dry. Whether you’re craving a little adventure or just some indoor fun, the city has options for every mood.
Anyone who loves to shop will have already heard how fabulous Bangkok‘s malls are, but they also offer plenty of family fun, including ice rinks and bowling. There’s so much fun to be had indoors that you’ll soon forget about the bad weather. Which of these fun things are you going to do in Bangkok when it rains?
1. Spa treatments
Relaxing and unwinding in traditional Thai style
Good for: Couples, Luxury
Getting pampered with spa treatments while in Bangkok should be a rite of passage. There are massage shops set up on practically every street, so you’re never more than a quick dash away if the heavens open.
Every 5-star hotel has an in-house spa offering services at a fraction of the price you would expect to pay back home, so there’s no reason to even reach for that umbrella. Thai massage has been exported to every corner of the globe but, in our opinion, the original is still the best... we’ll leave it for you to decide. Read more
Spa treatments
2. CentralWorld
Where fashion, food, and fun collide
Good for: Families, Food, Shoppers
CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok is truly a world-class shopping destination. With a mix of international fashion brands and a wide range of local fashion designers, it’s a popular rainy day activity. While there’s no shortage of shopping malls to choose from, CentralWorld is the biggest: a mega-shopping complex connected to the Chit Lom and Siam BTS stations by a sheltered walkway.
As well as a comprehensive selection of high-street and high-end fashion and eating options, there’s a 15-screen movie theater, Kid’s Zone, and even an ice skating rink. To say it has something for everyone is an understatement. Read more
Location: 999/9 Rama I Rd, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 640 7000
CentralWorld
3. Cake tasting
Where sweet tooth dreams come true
Good for: Food, Photo
Cake tasting at Bangkok cafes is a must for anyone who loves indulgent sweets, cozy atmospheres, and a little culinary adventure all in one. When it’s gray and miserable outside, sometimes all you want is a nice cup of tea and a delicious piece of cake in a cozy cafe.
Whether you’re working your way through the large chunk of honey toast with friends and family at After You dessert restaurant or getting a chocolate overload at The Sukhothai Chocolate Buffet, there’s nothing better than sweet treats to cheer you up on a rainy day. Read more
Cake tasting
4. Terminal 21
Where Paris, Tokyo, and San Francisco meet under one roof
Good for: Families, Shoppers
Visiting Terminal 21 is more than just a shopping trip; it’s a mini global adventure wrapped in retail therapy. At Terminal 21, shopping is only one small part of the experience. This mall has a “one floor, one city” design that allows visitors to travel the world one escalator at a time.
The boulevards of Paris, ornate lanterns of Tokyo, and the towering Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco are all displayed, along with other cities including London, Istanbul, and Rome. Terminal 21 must take the accolade of the most unique concept for a shopping mall in Bangkok, in Thailand, and perhaps in all of Asia. Get ready to visit every city in one mall. Read more
Location: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khlong Toei, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 108 0888
Terminal 21
5. Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC)
Where creativity spirals through every floor
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
The Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC) is an engaging, thought-provoking way to spend an afternoon exploring Thailand’s creative heart. This striking cylindrical building with a spiral staircase lining the outer wall in a Guggenheim-esque fashion is the highlight of Thailand’s art scene. It has an ever-changing roster of exhibits ranging from sculpture to photography and every creative discipline in between.
It’s a popular hangout for students (maybe because it’s free), local artists, and tourists, with a few shops and cafes offering a faux-bohemian vibe. Read more
Location: 939 Rama I Rd, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +66 (0)2 214 6630
Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (BACC)
6. Indoor go-karting at EasyKart
Racing around a track with friends and family
Good for: Adventure, Families
A high-octane experience zooming around a fairly technical track can be enjoyed in any weather at EasyKart indoor go-kart track in RCA Plaza. The great thing about go-karting is that it can be enjoyed by kids as young as seven and as old as 70, and with different karts available, both beginners and experts will be in for a memorable ride.
Other facilities include a chill-out area with sofas, a viewing deck, and a pool table for those who can’t handle it in the driver’s seat. Book your go-kart adventure in advance. Read more
Location: 31/11 RCA Plaza, 2nd Floor, Rama 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320, Thailand
Open: Monday–Thursday from 1 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Sunday from 1 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +66 (0)2 641 4252
Indoor go-karting at EasyKart
7. Thai cooking class
Discovering local flavors, markets, and hands-on fun
Good for: Couples, Food
Taking a Thai cooking class is a perfect way to spend a rainy day while learning about the country’s distinctive and enjoyable food culture. There are many cooking classes in Bangkok, so it’s up to you how hands-on you’d like to be.
Some classes take guests through the entire process, from sourcing ingredients at the market, through to sitting down and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Other classes arrange everything so all you have to do is turn up and start cooking.
Thai cooking class
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.