5 Bangkok destinations worth a visit

When it comes to things to do in Bangkok, there’s no end to your choices. From visiting temples and museums to playing pool in sport bars, there’s something for every one.

Bangkok’s Phallic Shrine

Here are 5 destination we believe are with a visit next time you’re in Bangkok.

(If you live in Bangkok, then you have no excuse not to visit them!)

1. Royal Thai Air Force Museum

Founded in 1952, the museum was initially just a collection of decommissioned aircraft and outdated equipment. They were housed in a hangar west of Don Muang airfield but the place was not open to the public.

The museum is comprised of five buildings (basically huge hangars) and outdoor displays. The exhibits are divided thematically, starting from displays about the history of Thai aviation, aircraft flown by the Royal Thai Air Force after WW2, aircraft designed and built in Thailand, aircraft rarely found in any other museums in the world, aircraft used in conflicts in Southeast Asia.

The museum is located on Phahonyothin Road (behind Don Mueang Airport) and is open daily from 09:00 to 16:00.

2. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

The reigning deity of the temple is Maha Mariamman (sometimes spelled in one word) also known as Uma Devi, the legendary Goddess of Death worshipped for her power to protect her believers against disease and death.

Daily rituals are conducted at the temple every afternoon. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple can be reached by taking the BTS Skytrain to Chong Nongsi Station. The temple remains open for the public between 06:00 and 20:00 from Saturday to Thursday.

3. Midnice Gallery

Midnice Gallery is a quite recent establishment whose mission is to support “young emerging contemporary artists either Thai or international.” The gallery manager, Sirirak Chantorn, herself a young photographer, has been regularly curating exhibitions here since Midnice Gallery first opened its doors in June 2013.

The great thing about Midnice Gallery is that, over time, it has created a strong group of Japanese artists and art lovers who not only exhibit their work there but also support and drive the art movement forward.

Midnice Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30am to 8:30pm and is located on Chockchai 4 Soi 18 on Lad Prao Road.

4. The Phallic Shrine

The Goddess Tuptim Shrine is located in the heart of Bangkok, on the grounds of Nai Lert Park Hotel on Sukhumvit Road. The shrine is littered with hundreds of lingams, a phallic form of the Hindu god Shiva.

According to folklore, phallic images were brought to Thailand by Khmer monks in the 8th century AD. Although the origins of the shrine are unknown, the lingams that surrounds it hints at the fact that it has to do with fertility.

5. Neilson Hays Library

The history of the library goes back to 1866 when the library started collecting its first books in English. At first it was called the Bangkok Ladies Library Association and the books were stored in a private residence. Today the library has approximately 20,000 books and magazines across many genres.

The library is flanked by a Garden Café Gallery where you can either relax having a snack and a soft drink or enjoy the exhibits on the wall. Actually, you could do both at the same time! The library is located on Surwong Road near Chong Nongsi BTS Station.

Now, let’s go back to the first paragraph and
see what’s it like in Bangkok’s best pool sports bar: