5 of the More Unusual Activities in Bangkok

Visiting temples, river trips, shopping…these are some of the things that most people are familiar with when visiting Bangkok however for those looking for something a little different when visiting the steaming metropolis that is Bangkok, there are a number of activities in Bangkok on offer to keep people occupied.

Wakeboarding

Popular among locals but not so well known to visitors are the wakeboarding cable parks of Lake Taco and Thai Wake Park. Taco Lake is located near Suvarnabhumi airport and consists of a large lake with a cable running counter-clockwise around the perimeter and featuring a range of jumps, ramps and rails to test people’s skills. There is a restaurant and wakeboarding shop on site making this cable park a great way to relax from the hustle of Bangkok and to get away from the heat of the day. Thai Wake Park is situated in Lamlukla district, which is just North of the capitol. Thai Wake Park is pricier than Taco Lake but the facilities are of a higher standard catering to the more advanced wakeboarder and there are hotel facilities for long-stay visitors, as well as a massage area and restaurant on site.

Jetski

As Bangkok is located in the flat plains in the gulf of Thailand, there are naturally lots of lakes around the outskirts of the city. Some of these lakes have been transformed into recreational areas including one on the Eastern outer ring road towards Suvarnabhumi airport. A restaurant called ‘Paeingam’ sits on the edge of the lake which is popular with locals, but unknown to many is that there is a jetski rental shop just behind the restaurant. A range of jetskis can be rented from around 2,000 THB per hour. If you are an adrenaline junky looking for a fun water sport in Bangkok, this could be the place for you.

Ice Hockey

There are dozens of football clubs, rugby clubs, badminton, tennis and running facilities in Bangkok, however few people are aware that there are a couple of ice rinks in Bangkok, including the new International standard rink at Central Rama 9. Ice Hockey is a popular pastime for North Americans, usually living in Bangkok, but the sport is developing for locals who are often seen at Central Rama 9 practicing. There are also annual competitions, usually held in October attracting people from around the region and featuring teams from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and as far afield as the Middle East. Another ice rink can be found at Imperial World near Bangna which is more affordable but not as modern as ‘The Rink’ in Rama 9. Imperial World still attracts a small but dedicated number of ice hockey enthusiasts from around Bangkok.

Flowhouse

Flowhouse Bangkok opened in September 2012 and was Thailand’s first flowriding facility. Located in Sukhumvit 26, Flowhouse Bangkok is a popular retreat, particularly on weekends with both visitors and locals making a trip to improve their riding skills and take in the relaxed ambiance. The convenient location means that Flow House Bangkok is easily accessible from any part of Bangkok as it is just a few minutes from Phrom Pong BTS station. There is a restaurant and shop on site selling the latest watersport equipment.

Cycling

Few people would consider Bangkok a great city for cycling with good reason. For first time visitors the traffic, fumes and general chaos can be a sensory overload but for those in the know, there are a number of hidden gems for cycling enthusiasts and worthy of a half day or full day tour to explore. Boom Bike Rides is one such cycling tour company in Bangkok taking visitors to the aptly named ‘Bangkok Jungle’, which seems lost in time as you meander along raised pathways next to canals and along roads with very light traffic. A cycling tour of Bangkok is often a visitors highlight of the capitol as they explore areas rarely seen by most tourists.