For city-dwellers, sometimes the city can be overwhelming — but so can the time and expense of trying to leave the city for a few days. When looking at flights, hotels, and bus schedules feels less relaxing than simply chilling in the city, try looking to some of these destinations that feel like you’ve left the city — even if just for one peaceful afternoon.
If drinking beer on an island, cycling through lush rainforest, visiting China or England of the past, or exploring an art village sound good to you, read on.
Lhong 1919
Not far from The Jam Factory and Khlong San Market lies Lhong 1919, a group of old warehouses that have been repurposed to provide a glimpse of what life was like in a Chinese-populated section of Bangkok in the 1800s. The nearly 7,000 square foot space, situated on a comely riverfront parcel decked out with pretty red Chinese accents and lanterns to provide killer atmosphere, offers places to eat, drink, shop, and get in on some co-working.
The shopping revolves around places to see the work of young Thai artists. Peruse handmade leather goods, Chinese-inspired home decorations, and even plants.
Open daily, 8am-10pm
BTS Krung Thonburi
Chang Chui
This creative village is in a far away part of Thonburi but well worth the visit. It’s easy to wile away an entire afternoon and evening here. Filled with low-slung wooden shack-type buildings that house clothing from the hippest local designers, cool bars and coffeeshops as well as great restaurants — this is the home of the world’s first high-end bug restaurant Insects in the Backyard — the stars of the show are the large-scale art installations like the giant airplane in the middle that you can climb into and then take a slide out of, plus the giant golden skull with a secret audio component.
Founded by Thai fashion heavyweight and Flynow CEO Somchai Songwattana, the giant plot of land is meant to be a creative center to attract young artists, designers, and their customers and fans.
Open daily, 11am-11pm
Taxi from BTS Krung Thon Buri
Bang Krachao (Green Lung)
To really feel like you’ve left the city, take the MRT to Khlong Toei market and a 10 minute boat ride for THB10 over to Bang Krachao, also sometimes called Bangkok’s green lung. Rent a bike or use your feet to spend a pleasant day exploring the lush island.
Check out the weekend market, part of which is floating, where you can get delicious snacks served in coconut shells and banana leaves (they try to cut down on man-made waste since there is little trash infrastructure here). You can also try your hand at jungle slingshot games, or explore further and see how the locals live on this island that’s so close to Bangkok, yet seems to far in terms of vibes.
The enclave is also home to headline-making outdoor resort Bangkok Tree House. If you aren’t staying overnight, stop in for a coffee or snack, they don’t mind if you explore the place too.
Check out our feature on Bang Krachao here.
Island open daily
Longtail boat ferry from Khlong Toei market
Koh Kret
Okay, though Koh Kret actually sits about 20 miles outside of Bangkok in Nonthaburi, it takes less time to get here than it does to get to some of the other destinations on this list, so we’ll give it a pass. It also gets a pass for being amazing. This is island is known for its relaxing scenery, a few gorgeous temples, its cottage industry for pottery, and an excellent craft beer place.
Bike around, see locals making pottery, buy a coffee mug or plant holder for a few bucks, and then spend the afternoon watching the water at ChitBeer, a cement deck overlooking the pier with all kinds of craft beer on tap for low prices and occasional live music. This place gets packed on the weekends (it’s only open on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9pm) so if you can’t grab a table early, you’ll have to resign yourself to standing with your beer. Even then, still worth it.
Check out our full feature on Koh Kret here.
Island open daily
Longtail boat from Nonthaburi
Pickadaily Bangkok
This Old English-style community mall, located in the wilds of On Nut, offers the look of an English village at a fraction of the cost of visiting one. It also offers a cringey take on the name Piccadilly. But, whatever. Visitors call this mall a great — and free — place to pose for pics, play life-size chess, soak up the atmosphere, and have a beer or snack at one of the English-style eateries. However, detractors say that many of the stores are not occupied and that, after your beer, a wee wander, and photo, there’s nothing much else to do here.
According to their Facebook page, they offer aerobics, massage, at least some shopping, concerts, and venue space for weddings. Hey, that’s one way to save on a destination wedding!
Open daily, 10am-10pm
BTS On Nut
So, next time the city makes you feel like pulling your hair out — just remember that you can simply hop on a train, ferry, or into a taxi and get a nice respite from the usual Bangkok routine.
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