6 Hidden Activities in Bangkok You’ll Brag About Back Home
- John Runaway
- May 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 1
Bangkok isn’t just temples, tuk-tuks and rooftop bars. Stick around and you’ll find wave pools in back alleys, ninja gyms and a stunning racetrack tucked behind Lumpini Park.
fter five years here I’ve dragged countless friends to these six field-tested hidden gems—and every one of them walked away saying, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this sooner?” Slot them into a single adventure day or cherry-pick your favourites.
1. Surf an Indoor Wave at Flow House Bangkok 🏄🏻♂️
📍 Location: A-Square Mall, Sukhumvit 26
🏷 Price: ฿1,090 per hour (discounts & package deals available online)
Why it’s cool Flow House runs a padded wave machine that makes falls painless. Beginners start on a knee-board; with a little coaching most visitors stand up within 20-30 Minutes. Crowds peak late afternoons, so best book ahead if you’re coming on a weekend.
Quick facts
Board & Training included
Don't forget to bring a towel
Open daily 10:00-22:00
Drinks & Snacks available
Extra Tips Arrive 20 min early to sign the waiver; Cool-down and recover just 50 m away at Yunomori Onsen — a day pass costs ฿650. The 42 °C tub erases quad burn and their cold plunge will get you right back on your feet.
2. Learn Parkour safely at The Movement Playground 🤸♂️
📍 36/4 Soi Sukhumvit 69, BTS Phra Khanong (5 min walk)
🏷 Parkour Beginner Class ฿400 - ฿590
Why it’s cool
Where else do you have the opportunity to safely learn parkour? It's really a rare adult playground - Inside a warehouse you’ll find warped walls, crash mats and all types of obstacles. The one-hour beginner class covers safe rolls, basic, jumps, leaps and wall runs.
Quick facts
Close to Phra Khanong BTS
Bring good footwear
Open daily 12:00-20:00, Weekends 8:00-18:00/16:00
Drinks & Snacks available
Extra Tips
Movement Playground is located inside a community called S61, which houses many cool spots for activities like Bouldering, Cross-Fit and Combat Sports, as well as cute little Coffee Shops & Stores. Khrav Maga Bangkok is located inside the Movement Playground on the second floor. They offer beginner classes to everybody who is interested in learning self-defense and advanced fighting techniques.
Check it out at https://www.kravmagabangkok.net/
3. Play a Board-Game at Nostramo Bangkok♟️
🏷 Very affordable - Contact for Table fee
🔗 https://shopee.co.th/nostramo (Online Shop)
Why it’s cool
Put your phone away for a minute and enjoy socializing over a good game - The focus here is tabletop wargaming and role-playing games like D&D, but their library covers classic board-games as well. Walk-ins are welcome, the staff is happy to welcome newcomers and join you playing.
Quick facts
Huge Library of Games available
Game-Masters available on request
Paint-Station available
Open daily 12:00-21:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Affordable Drinks & Snacks available
Extra Tips
You can contact Nostramo to inquire about local board-game groups to join. Bangkok has a large board-game community and they frequently meet to play, always looking to add new players to their guild. I also recommend you free up some more time than intended. It gets fun fast and chances are you'll end up staying longer :)
4. Medieval Gathering at Legendary Wargame Castle 🏰
📍 Legendary Wargame Castle, Bang Yai, Nonthaburi (MRT Talad Bang Yai)
🏷 Free
Why it’s cool
Absolutely unexpected event that takes place once a year and offers cool activities to partake in. Don't miss it if you happen to be in Bangkok at that time. The grounds host a small Renaissance-style fair with sword demonstrations, archery and food stalls. The castle’s gaming hall stays open for tabletop gaming, shopping and painting.
Quick facts
Festival weekend usually falls in February; check their Facebook page
Many demos & workshops available
Free food available
Take cash, most small vendors during this event don't accept cards
Extra Tips
Show up early to take it all in and be able to see & participate in all activities. Feel free to dress up - Your outfit does not necessarily have to be representative of medieval times. A lot of people just show up in cosplay outfits of their favorite game characters!
5. Enter Virtual Reality at Total VR 🎮
📍 3ʳᵈ Floor, Gateway Ekkamai (direct BTS link)
🏷 30 min ฿350 • 60 min ฿600 • 90 min ฿850 • 120 min ฿1,100
Why it’s cool
Easy and central opportunity to venture into the world of Virtual Reality. It's also a really cool activity to enjoy with your group of friends. Thirty-plus titles range from casual archery to intense zombie shooters. Staff can switch games mid-session, so you can try several without extra cost.
Quick facts
Inside Gateway mall with many shops & eateries
Open 10:00-22:00; afternoons before 16:00 are quietest
Free lockers; head-straps sanitised after each use
Contact lenses or small glasses recommended; large frames don’t fit the headset well
Extra Tips
I haven't, but some people might experience a little bit of motion sickness during or after VR gaming - if it's your first time in Virtual Reality, don't eat too much and don't drink alcohol before visiting. Phra Khanong is a great area! You are close to many interesting streets like Soi Pridi and one of the best bars in Bangkok, called Arcadia Barcade (BAD Award Winner 2024 & 2025).
6. Royal Bangkok Sports Club Horse Races 🏇
📍 RBSC, Gate 3, Henri Dunant Rd – Street behind Lumpini Park
🏷 ฿200
🔗 rbsc.org
Why it’s cool
One of the best, casual Sunday activities! Very affordable and worth the experience. Ten to Twelve races run every second Sunday. If you want to partake in Horse-Betting (which is legal here), make sure to buy the “Almanac” (฿100-฿120 ) outside the stadium. It's a program that includes the entire schedule and details about all horses, jockeys, rankings and betting favorites.
Quick facts
Horse Races every second Sunday (check online calendar)
Starts 12:00, last race about 17:30
Dresscode (no slippers, no tanktops)
Horse Betting is cash-only (ATMs inside stadium)
Street-food stalls on the concourse sell snacks, drinks & beer.
Extra Tips
Bring your friends along - it's great fun, enjoying the races together. Mostly only Thai food available inside, but you can bring your own snacks. Hot coffee and cold beers available inside stadium. Find a complete Guide to Horse-Betting here in this article! (coming soon)
After the horse races finish in the evening, you are really close to the Silom area and Patpong, which holds a lot of interesting, secretive & grueling history, which I have covered in one of my previous episodes.
🙂
Happy exploring—see you out there!
