Top 5 Things You Must Do in Bangkok!

My name is Roma Carter and I am a media studies major at the University of Tulsa. I went on the Semester in Thailand program in Spring 2025. Here are the best local activities I discovered during my time in Bangkok that I recommend other students should do during their time studying abroad!

Try a variety of cuisines.

If you’re a foodie and want to try a variety of cuisines there is an all you can eat seafood buffet on the river called Kodtalay. It is a hot pot style outdoor restaurant where you have your own mini grill and get food from inside that’s either already prepared or not raw for you to grill to your liking. They have a variety of Thai dishes, Western cuisine, fresh tuna, shrimp, sushi, steak kebabs, vegetables, fruit, and dessert. Its located in central Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River.

Take a Muay Thai class.

There are plenty of gyms where you and a group of friends can go take lessons from experienced fighters. There is one in Sala Ya (the province where Mahidol University is) that my friends and I really loved. They teach you how to keep a fighter stance, punch, knee kick, and block. It’s a fun physical activity to do with friends and learn a few fighting techniques.

Go thrifting.

Thrifting in Thailand is a huge scene, especially among Gen Z. There is a boutique called WEALTHOME that is along the street where the apartment complex is with cute going out clothes, casual clothes and accessories. Inner city, I found the best stuff at a pop up up thrift street vendor event. Additionally, amulet market in central Bangkok have a wide variety of memorabilia such as hand massage fidgets, handmade coconut bowls, pendants, mini stone statues, and artwork.

Chatuchak is one of Bangkok’s most famous markets and is well known for having a huge variety of clothing and trinket vendors, be sure to dedicate a couple hours to being at the market there is a lot to see. Just keep in mind, from my experience shopping in Thailand the outdoor clothing vendors have better clothes and prices than the ones inside.

Visit museums.

Thailand has such rich diplomatic history and cultural significance that the art in the museums are representative of an encapsulation of Thai history and its cultural, religious, economic, linguistic past and present. The best way to understand a new culture is to dive into its past. To that point, parks such as Lumphini park and Benchakitti park offer livelihood and plenty of recreational activities such as free duck boat rides or running events.

Take the ferry!

You must go on ferry rides to Icon Sia!  One of the CIS excursions to the Grand Palace temples has a ferry ride included but I highly recommend going for an even longer ride to the mall Icon Siam. This 8-story high mall has restaurants, a grocery store, technology stores, retail stores, a movie theater and free pop-up concerts. The ferry ride offers scenic layers of Bangkok, Chao Phraya runs through working class communities, touristy areas, waterfront restaurants and has a beautiful view of the temples.

Discover more about studying abroad in Thailand here!