4 Unusual, Quirky, And Offbeat Attractions In Lively Bangkok

Mae Nak Shrine

Just a short walk from On Nut BTS sky train station, you will find Maha But Temple. A pretty regular Thai temple in many respects, it is still worth having a quick look around, especially for people who are not already familiar with traditional Thai temples. There are colourful and ornate buildings that house the grand Buddha images in an assortment of postures. There are several small shrines throughout the temple grounds, with the highlight being a shrine dedicated to Nak – a well-known ghost from Thailand’s rich folklore. According to local legends, Mae Nak was a young pregnant lady whose husband was sent off to war. She and her child died during childbirth, but the husband eventually returned home completely unaware. He resumed family life with his wife and young child, blissfully ignorant that he was, in fact, living with ghosts!

Upon finding out, he ran away taking shelter in Maha But Temple. Mae Nak, in her anguish, vented her rage on local villagers, before finally being exorcised and her soul tossed inside a jar into the canal. The jar was subsequently opened and her soul was freed. A shrine was erected to both appease her spirit and also for people to visit, make offerings to her and ask for blessings. It is common today for people to pray at the shrine to avoid military service and also for women to ask for a smooth childbirth. Outside of the main shrine is a collection of photographs of Mae Nak when she was a beautiful young woman. Mainly visited by Thais, this is a fascinating place to catch a glimpse of Thai superstitions and beliefs related to ghosts.

The area around the temple is home to numerous fortune tellers, flower sellers, and people selling lottery tickets!

Amulet Market

Bangkok’s large Amulet Market, known locally as Talad Phra Chan, can be found in the historic heart of the city. People have been trading in amulets and other spiritual and religious talismans for more than 100 years. Although an interesting place for visitors, it is also an important place for regular Thai people looking to secure the perfect protective and lucky charm. Tables covered with interesting trinkets, amulets, and decorative objects line the pavement and many Thais can spend ages searching out the item that is best for them.

Rifling through small pendants, don’t be surprised if you see people with magnifying glasses to check out the finer engraved details. For many Thai people, the wearing and owning of symbolic objects is an incredibly important part of their everyday life. There are amulets that relate to specific events, such as having educational and career success, being lucky in love, enhancing fertility, encouraging crop growth, and promoting harmony in the home. There are also those that offer general protection against malevolent forces and enhance health, wealth, and overall fortunes. And some have been cast by particular temples, which people may have strong links to, or relate to certain famous monks.

There are numerous Buddha images, statues of various Hindu deities, sacred daggers, wooden and stone phalluses, images of Khmer icons (from Cambodia), lucky beads, and much more as well. You might even spot bizarre talismans that have been made from old sets of false teeth! It is an interesting place to appreciate how strongly animist beliefs and influences from other religions and ideologies have become intrinsically woven alongside traditional Buddhism into the fabric of Thai life.

Golden Buddha

Located within Wat Traimit in Chinatown, the Golden Buddha is not really off the beaten track. What makes it unusual, however, is the fact that it is the biggest Buddha constructed from solid gold across the whole world. Weighing five and a half tons, it stands at around three metres tall. Shining in all its golden glory, it is a very impressive sight. The simple room in which it is kept helps to showcase the statue’s magnificence.

It is normal to see Thai people praying and making offerings, and there are several flower incense sellers close to hand. Only housed in its current building since 2010, the statue has a long and interesting history. Believed to have been made during the Sukhothai period, at some point between the 12th and 13th centuries, the gleaming statue was previously covered in cement. This was thought to prevent the valuable and sacred statue from being stolen. It wasn’t until the 1950s when some of the cement was accidently chipped away that people re-discovered the revered Golden Buddha.

Flower Market

Amongst Bangkok’s many markets is the colourful and sweet-smelling Flower Market. Known locally as Pak Klong Talad, visitors can admire the wonderful blooms that occupy tables, benches, and floor space all along the pavement. Enticing scents fill the air and you can see almost any colour of flower imaginable. There are numerous types of flower, including roses, lotuses, lilies, daisies, jasmine, sunflowers, tulips, and orchids. There are imported flowers as well as those that are grown around the country. If the array of blossoms outside isn’t enough, you can also step inside the traditional shop houses to see even more!

The main flower market in Bangkok, it attracts many local businesses looking to take care of all their floral requirements. Restaurant owners, shops, guest houses, local florists, wedding organizers, and offices are amongst the market’s customers, as well as regular people looking to buy something special for a friend or family member. A small assortment of other produce can also be found at the historic and vibrant market.