things to do around Bangkok airport
Got an extended layover or overnight near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport? Rather than loitering listlessly inside its terminals, immerse yourself amidst rejuvenating green spaces, electrifying shopping malls, historic sites, and mystical temples found conveniently under an hour’s drive away!
This ‘Things to do around Bangkok airport’ guide spotlights insider local attractions revealing spectacular tropical scenery, bustling urban energy, and spiritual beauty worth discovering. Read on for the top underrated experiences easily accessible near those flying into Thailand’s glitzy gateway. Let’s uncover what lies beyond Suvarnabhumi’s runways!
Escape into Natural Serenity at King Rama IX Park
For an affordable green getaway from nearby Suvarnabhumi Airport, locals recommend the lush 130-acre expanse of Rama IX public park just 16 kilometers westwards towards central Bangkok. Named commemorating Thailand’s beloved late King, these cooling gardens honor his gardening passion through meticulously trimmed hedges, tranquil ponds featuring splendid water lilies, and a glistening lake perfect for pedal boating adventures across shimmering waves that reflect clear blue skies.
Wandering gently undulating walkways lined by majestic native rain trees and palms feel utterly blissful, especially at sunrise or sunset when the park comes alive with Bangkok families flying kites, cycling leisurely, and practicing Tai Chi on forested lawns. The playful splashes of grinning children frolicking under fountains provide a soothing soundtrack to any lengthy airport layover spent immersed in precious tropical nature right in bustling Bangkok.
Unleash Your Inner Shopaholic at Seacon Square Mall
Feel fatigued after a long flight navigating endless timezone changes? Then revive yourself with retail therapy sessions surrounded by 500 shops spanning tech gadgets, trendy clothes to foodcourt feasts all conveniently under Seacon Square’s airconditioned roof just 10 minutes east of Suvarnabhumi Airport!
This four-story mall delights with international and local chains like Uniqlo and H&M alongside irresistible Korean skincare emporiums perfect for sourcing exotic face masks and nourishing camellia oil cosmetics as edible souvenirs. Recharge over Thai sweet tea smoothies with pillowy boba pearls or spicy glass noodle salads inside the mammoth food hall offering discounted rates with boarding pass identification. Don’t forget to hit Century Movie Plaza alongside for the latest Hollywood flicks and sofa lounge relaxation between shopping sprees!
Immerse in Thai History at Muang Boran Open Air Museum
Just a short 20-minute drive south of the airport terminals near Samut Prakan downtown lies Ancient City, also known as Muang Boran, Thailand’s incredible 288-acre architectural living museum beautifully replicating famous structures around the country for visitors to admire amidst serene garden landscapes.
Wander along shaded pathways past scaled-down yet stunningly accurate replicas of Bangkok’s Emerald Buddha Temple, elephantine Khmer-style prang towers from Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai’s elegant stupa until encountering the majestic gilt-trimmed Phra Nakorn Khiri Royal Palace perched regally atop a stone mountain with panoramic views over lush fields. Don’t miss out on snapping selfies inside temple doorways or feeding the playful fish-swarming moat canals surrounding ancient fortress ruins. For affordable cultural immersion near the airport costing just 100 THB, Muang Boran is a fabulous pitstop attraction!
Discover Architectural Gems at Wat Lan Boon Temple
Roughly half an hour’s drive heading north from Suvarnabhumi International Airport near Bang Phli district reveals Wat Lan Boon, an overlooked yet utterly enchanting temple famed for housing the country’s tallest free-standing bell tower visible from afar. As the main place of community worship since 1969, Wat Lan Boon dazzles with intricate woodcarvings framing the towering Viharn central hall and statues honoring both Buddha and devotedly respected monks aligned down mosaic-tiled steps.
While monk resident numbers remain few, visiting here evokes an especially profound sense of spiritual serenity as melodic chanting reverberates from within charming monastic buildings draped by verdant foliage. The small onsite museum also impresses with religious mural paintings and rare amulets for spiritual browsing post praying and paying respects. For ethereal beauty found conveniently not far from the airport either, do peek into Wat Lan Boon’s graceful grounds during transit!
Lose Yourself Bargain Shopping at Mega Bangna Retail Complex
Just 15 15-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport near the suburban Bangna en route downtown rests the glitzy Mega Bangna mega-mall spanning almost two million square feet of family-friendly retail wonder across six floors of designer outlets for every possible need. Over 400 stores tempt showcasing international chains like Zara, Uniqlo, and Marks & Spencer alongside glamorous beauty halls filled with imported perfumes, cosmetics bursting with collagen, and ever-affordable food courts serving aromatic Sichuan pepper hotpots perfect for warming up between browsing activities.
Don’t miss rifling through seven whole levels of the Homepro DIY section for quirky Thai souvenirs including hand-carved chopsticks, blended chili pastes, or chunky pottery homewares before catching a movie inside cutting-edge SF Cinema City outfitted with vibration chairs for total immersion! From affordable gifts to everyday necessities up to high fashion, Mega Bangna keeps everyone satisfactorily well-stocked.
Soak Up Scenic Beauty at Suan Luang Rama IX Annual Flower Festival
Traveling near the airport around December challenges travelers to experience Suan Luang Rama IX dazzling floral festival when tropical trees inside this massive central Bangkok public park erupt joyously with over 1.5 million colorful blossoms for visitors to admire absolutely free while strolling leisurely along soft grassy knolls.
For one heady month between December 1st to 31st yearly, a floral team decorates Suan Luang Rama IX’s gardens extravagantly utilizing vibrant exotic blooms like fluffy cassia fistula with rich amber hues, cheerful clusters of bougainvillea and even sections adorned by hanging formations of fragrant jasmine and lotus petals. Don’t forget epic backdrops! The flower exhibition centers around a breathtakingly pretty lake featuring a floral replica of Thailand’s famed Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall beside a stage with live contemporary and classic dance performances. For riotously colorful scenery with lens-worthy photo opportunities, time any Bangkok stopovers during the fantastic flower festival season!
Learn Thai History at Historic Lak Si Monument and Municipal Park
Rest your tired feet comfortably under shady trees in Lak Si District’s public park a quick ride from Suvarnabhumi to admire an important 119-year old memorial monument honoring the important cremation spot of mysterious palace maid, Lady Chan. Her secret royal affair and subsequent death sentenced three princes to death, eventually enabling King Chulalongkorn the opportunity to abolish age-old customs like concubines, slavery and extrajudicial killings for progressive national change still memorialized at Lak Si today.
Alongside detailed stone carvings recounting Lady Chan’s impact, park grounds also contain relaxing water features like scenic ponds and modern sculptures that make intriguing backdrops for some thought-provoking history that changed Thailand. Pop by the nearby Lak Si Fresh Market to observe authentic local trade and cuisine at wallet-friendly rates after learning something new just minutes from the airport gates!
Haggle Over Vintage Wares at Lively Rod Fai Night Bazaar
Just over 15 kilometers from Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s gates lies the buzzing Rod Fai Train Night Market attracting teenagers and families alike five evenings weekly hunting for incredible street food alongside quirky antiques, vintage fashion, or cool Bangkok souvenirs all available for friendly bargaining. Over 2000 stalls line the leafy bazaar stretching 1.5 kilometers down Srinakarin road displaying handmade crafts and second-hand oddities that overflow into nearby warehouses, gardens, and even a decommissioned railway train! Despite sizable crowds, prices stay budget-friendly as ‘po-doke’ grandpas craft delectable grilled sausages, hipster cafes pour creamy matcha lattes and indie artisans peddle upcycled boutique items making utterly perfect gifts for the price of a pad thai plate!
Experience Authentic Local Culture at The Paseo Shopping Plaza
For calmer retail escapades near Suvarnabhumi Airport, visit The Paseo Mall just 13 kilometers westwards to uncover imported luxury brands, artistic boutiques, and lots of wallet-friendly food choices all accessible by taxi, private car, or free shuttle buses. Compared to central Bangkok’s mammoth shopping malls, Paseo offers more curated selections targeting middle-income locals enjoying leisurely dining excursions across two airy floors decorated cheerfully like lively Latino plazas with colorful murals.
Alongside frozen yogurt places, Korean barbecue restaurants, and international goods shops, The Paseo frequently organizes family-friendly community events like outdoor concerts, pet adoption drives, and children’s shows perfect for casual cultural connections before flights. Try the temptingly affordable upstairs food court for surefire mango sticky rice wins!
Commune Intimately With Elephants at Ban Chang Thai Sanctuary
Prepare for utterly adorable snuggles during intimate visits with rescued elephants just a 30-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport at ethical ChangChill sanctuary committed to educating visitors about Thailand’s national animal alongside prioritizing pachyderm welfare. Ditch exploitative rides or circus stunt shows and opt instead for feeding, bathing, and bonding gently with giants ranging from curious calves to matriarchal grannies!
Small group tours prevent stress while allowing admiring intricate skin folds overhanging kind eyes communicating deep wisdom. Watch rescued residents bathe playfully under hose showers before foraging bushels of fruit slices from outstretched hands. Don’t forget to look for personalized paintings created by talented resident artists fundraising conservation efforts! Booking ahead secures airport transfers towards a heartwarming highlight of meeting magnificent elephants.
Savour Authentic Local Flavors at Suvarnabhumi Market Mahajak
Before bidding Bangkok farewell for now, be sure to collect tasty edible souvenirs closeby at Suvarnabhumi Airport Outdoor Market Mahajak lively daily inside the airport perimeter with stalls manned by regional ladies peddling skillfully cooked traditional snacks and intricately woven handicrafts still seldom found stateside.
Around 50 tents assemble before dawn daily close enough to terminal gates to keep luggage safely stowed while sampling sweet mango sticky rice, fluffy steamed buns stuffed with pork and pickles, or cheerful floral garlands symbolizing charm and good fortune to gift loved ones back home. Don’t forget haggling politely for woven straw hats, chiming windchimes, and harmonic wooden frogs said to bring good luck! The perfect authentic taste of Thai culture is found just steps from your departure point.
Hopefully, these insider neighborhood gems provide fabulous options to immerse memorably into authentic Thai lifestyles during whatever length of layovers spent around Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
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